Mike Walker (football manager)

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Mike Walker (born November 11 1945 in Colwyn Bay, Wales) is a former football player and manager.

Mike's playing career as a goalkeeper started with Shrewsbury Town F.C. in 1964 and included York City F.C., Watford F.C., Charlton Athletic F.C. and most notably Colchester United for whom he made 363 league appearances for.

He had a brief spell in charge of Colchester United during the 1980s before taking charge of the Norwich City youth team in 1987. In 1992, he was promoted to the position of manager at Carrow Road and gave Norwich their highest-ever league finish in the new FA Premier League where they finished third and qualified for the UEFA Cup — the first time they had qualified for European competition. Norwich achieved a famous victory over Bayern Munich in the UEFA Cup Second Round, but they were knocked out by Internazionale in the next round.

Walker quit Norwich the following January, following a long running feud with Chairman Robert Chase, to become manager of Everton, but his heavy spending on new players was unsuccessful and he was fired after less than a year.

Mike Walker returned to Norwich in June 1996, by which time they had been relegated to Division One. He remained in charge for two seasons but resigned after they failed to return to the Premiership.

He is the father of Ian Walker, the former England goalkeeper. Mike Walker was himself a former professional goalkeeper with Watford and Colchester United and he was capped by Wales.

Preceded by: Dave Stringer	Norwich City F.C. manager 1992-1994	Succeeded by: John Deehan
Preceded by: Gary Megson	Norwich City F.C. manager 1996-1998	Succeeded by: Bruce Rioch