Clive Walker

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Clive Walker
Personal information
Full name Clive Walker
Date of birth May 26, 1957 (1957-05-26) (age 51)
Place of birth    Oxford, England
Playing position Winger
Senior clubs1
Years Club App (Gls)*
1976-1984
1984-1986
1986-1987
1987-1990
1990-1993
1993-1997
Chelsea
Sunderland
Queens Park Rangers
Fulham
Brighton & Hove Albion
Woking
Total
198 0(60)
050 0(10)
021 00(1)
109 0(29)
106 00(8)
203 0(91)
687 (199)   

1 Senior club appearances and goals
counted for the domestic league only.
* Appearances (Goals)

Clive Walker (born 26 May 1957 in Oxford, England) is a retired English footballer. His playing career spanned some 1,000 league and cup games for Chelsea, Sunderland, Fulham and Brighton before enjoying a renaissance in the Conference with Woking and Cheltenham.

Walker was an old-fashioned winger with pace who used to terrorise full backs on a weekly basis. He began his career with Chelsea, playing in the same side as the likes of Ray Wilkins. He first broke into the Chelsea team during the 1977-78 season, but they were in the Second Division for most of his time there. He nonetheless played a big role in several key matches for the club in this period.

He put in Man of the Match performances against European champions Liverpool in the FA Cup in 1978 and 1982 as the Blues pulled off two famous upsets; he scored twice in a 4-2 win in 1978 and set up a late clincher for Colin Lee in a 2-0 win in 1982. With Chelsea facing relegation to the Third Division in 1982-83, and with it potential financial meltdown, Walker also scored a last minute winner against fellow strugglers Bolton Wanderers in the penultimate game of the season to ensure the club's survival.

Walker left Chelsea at the end of the 1983-84 season following a contract dispute, and signed for Sunderland. He returned to haunt his old side the following season in the Milk Cup. They were drawn together in the semi-finals and in the second leg at Stamford Bridge, Walker inspired Sunderland to a 3-2 win, which provoked a near-riot; at one point a Chelsea fan entered the pitch and chased Walker. In the final at Wembley, however, Sunderland lost 1-0 to Norwich City, with Walker missing a penalty.

Walker worked under many managers including names such as Jim Smith, Dave Sexton, Geoff Hurst, Danny Blanchflower, John Neal, Eddie McCreadie and Steve Cotterill. Walker finally called time on a 24-year career in 2000 and is currently working as an analyst for the radio station BBC London.

[edit] References

  • Mears, Brian (2004). Chelsea: A 100-year History. Mainstream Sport. ISBN 1-84018-823-5. 
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