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John Walker

Birthdate: 31 May 1874 Birthplace: Coatbridge, Scotland Other clubs: Armadale, Hearts (1892-98), Rangers (1902-04), Morton (1904-05) Bought from: Hearts Signed for LFC: 175*, 30.03.1898 International debut: 30.03.1895 vs. Ireland International caps: 5/3 (at Hearts and Rangers) - 26.03.1904

Liverpool debut: 11.04.1898 Last appearance: 26.04.1902 Debut goal: 12.04.1898 Last goal: 26.04.1902 Contract expiry: 1902 Win ratio: 50% W: 60 D: 26 L: 34 Games/goals ratio: 4 LFC league games/goals: 109 / 29 Total LFC games/goals: 120 / 30

Player profile

John Walker and Tom Robertson signed for Liverpool from Edinburgh club Hearts at the end of the 1897/98 season. Walker had been a tremendous success at Hearts, winning the Scottish League in 1895 and 1897 and the Scottish cup in 1896 which he lifted as captain. He had also made his Scotland debut against Ireland on 30 March 1895, scoring twice in a 3-1 win. In his debut 1898/99 season at Liverpool Walker missed just two League and Cup games, scoring 11 times in 32 first division matches as the Reds finished runners-up to Aston Villa. Walker did get into trouble in November 1898 along with teammates Hugh Morgan and John Walker when they were charged with a breach of the peace and obstructing the police. They were being a little too lively on the street and a constable arrived to settle down matters. Walker shouted: ‘Let’s show him some Scotch blood!’ In the end the constable took Allan into custody while Morgan and Walker tried to prevent his arrest. The inside-right started the following campaign in great form, scoring seven goals in the opening ten games, but only got three goals in the remaining 21. Despite the fact that Walker's goals dried up he continued to be a key player for the Reds who now relied on the goalscoring talents of centre-forward, Sam Raybould. Liverpool's last game of the 1900/01 season was against relegation-doomed West Bromwich Albion and their first League title was a realistic possibility. Liverpool had only been in first place on the opening day of the campaign but now a draw sufficed for the Reds to topple Sunderland who were equal on points with superior goal average, but had already played all their games. Walker was the hero of the day scoring the deciding goal in the first half as the Daily Express reported: "Robertson only just missed scoring for Liverpool and at the other end Garfield was charged off the ball just when about to shoot at an almost open goal. At last, however, Liverpool got away and Walker scored." The Scotsman played one more season for Liverpool before returning to his native Scotland to play for Rangers.

Stats note

Liverpool paid a combined 350 pounds to Hearts for John Walker and Tom Robertson on 30 March 1898.

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