Liam Walker
| Personal information | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Full name | Liam Walker[1] | ||
| Date of birth | 13 April 1988[1] | ||
| Place of birth | Gibraltar | ||
| Height | 5 ft 8 in (1.73 m) | ||
| Playing position | Midfielder | ||
| Club information | |||
| Current club | Bnei Yehuda | ||
| Number | 13 | ||
| Senior career* | |||
| Years | Team | Apps† | (Gls)† |
| 2006–2008 | Algeciras | 2 | (0) |
| 2008–2009 | Atlético Zabal | 8 | (6) |
| 2009–2010 | Linense | 4 | (0) |
| 2010 | Los Barrios | 13 | (2) |
| 2010–2011 | Linense | 13 | (1) |
| 2011–2012 | San Roque | 36 | (11) |
| 2012–2013 | Portsmouth | 26 | (2) |
| 2013–2014 | San Roque | 9 | (2) |
| 2014– | Bnei Yehuda | 1 | (1) |
| National team | |||
| 2011–2012 | Gibraltar XI | 11 | (5) |
| 2013– | Gibraltar | 1 | (0) |
| * Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only and correct as of 20 January 2014. † Appearances (Goals). | |||
Liam Walker (born 13 April 1988) is a Gibraltarian footballer who plays for Bnei Yehuda and the Gibraltar national team as a midfielder.
Career
Spanish lower levels
Walker began his career on Algeciras CF, making his debut on 22 October 2006, against Ayamonte.[2] He received his first start only on 22 May 2007, against CD Mairena. He already had trials with Manchester United, Everton and Aston Villa as a teenager.
In 2008 summer, Walker joined Atlético Zabal (Real Balompédica Linense's farm team), but only appeared in eight matches (575 minutes overall), scoring six times. For 2009–10, he was promoted to Linense's first team, and only appeared four times (all from the bench, 89 minutes overall).
In January 2010, he signed with UD Los Barrios,[3] and made his debut on the 31st, against Puerto Real CF. He scored his first goal on 27 April, against Sevilla FC C. In May 2010, Walker returned to Linense,[4] getting more playing time than his last spell, appearing in 13 matches (849 minutes overall) and scoring once (against UD Los Palacios on 26 September).
In January of the following year, he signed a contract with CD San Roque, in Spanish fifth division.[5] In his first season, he only appeared six times and scored once, with his team being promoted to fourth division. In his second season, he was the club's topscorer and best player of the season, scoring ten goals in 30 games (all starts).[6]
Portsmouth
In July 2012, Walker was called by Portsmouth manager Michael Appleton to train with the club, after an impressive performance for Gibraltar.[7] He was a part of the squad in the club pre-season matches, against Bolton Wanderers, on 4 August.[8] In his next game, on 8 August, he scored the final goal, against AFC Wimbledon.[9]
On 16 August, Walker signed a one-month contract with Pompey.[10] However, due to his international clearance not being made by RFEF in time, he was unable to play on the opening day of the League One season against Bournemouth. He only made his debut on 21 August 2012, in an away match against Colchester United, coming in for Kieran Djilali who started on the bench. Walker played on the wing on his debut whilst Portsmouth captain Brian Howard and Lee Williamson played in the centre. Portsmouth drew with Colchester 2–2, with goals for Pompey through Luke Rodgers and Jordan Obita. Walker also assisted Rodgers in the first goal of the match.[11] He then started in the following two games (against Carlisle United and Oldham Athletic), before being dropped to the bench. Walker only received a start three months later, against Yeovil Town, on 29 December.[12]
Walker scored his first league goal for Portsmouth against Scunthorpe United on 2 February 2013.[13] He scored his second on the 16th, against Carlisle United, from the penalty spot.[14] Walker finished the season with three assists, only behind Jed Wallace (5) and Brian Howard (6).
At the end of the season, Walker was challenged to earn a new deal by manager Guy Whittingham.[15] However, on 9 July, Walker announced that he would join a Greek club.[16]
Trials and back to San Roque
It was reported that Walker turned up at a training base of Dundee United in Spain without notice and requested a possible trial. This was however refused by Dundee United's management.[17] He was also linked to a move for Aris Thessaloniki, but the deal fell through.[18]
In late July, Walker returned to San Roque, only training with the club while waiting for a convincing offer from any club.[19] On 2 August, he signed with San Roque.[20][21]
Walker scored in his San Roque re-debut on 5 October, but in a 1–2 home loss against Recreativo B.[22] He finished his second spell with the club with nine appearances, scoring two goals.
Bnei Yehuda
On 9 January 2014, it was announced that Walker had been released from his contract with CD San Roque after his buyout clause had been met.[23] On 21 January 2013 Walker joined Israeli Premier League side Bnei Yehuda Tel Aviv F.C. on a two-and-a-half year contract, after being recommended by Yossi Benayoun and reuniting with former teammate James Keene.[24]
International career
Walker played in 2011 Island Games, starting in all Gibraltar's matches, and scoring a hat-trick against Ynys Môn on 27 June.[25] Walker stand as the only professional player in the national team.[26]
After Gibraltar was accepted as a member of UEFA, Walker was selected as part of the 23-man squad for Gibraltar's official debut against Slovakia on 19 November 2013.[27] He earned a starting spot in a 0–0 draw, played in Faro, Portugal.[28]
Career statistics
- As of 1 February 2014[29]
| Club | Season | Div. | League | Cup | League Cup | Other | Total | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | |||
| Spain | League | Copa del Rey | — | Other | Total | |||||||
 Algeciras |
2006–07 | 4th | 2 | 0 | — | — | — | 2 | 0 | |||
| 2007–08 | 3rd | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | — | — | 1 | 0 | |||
| Subtotal | 2 | 0 | 1 | 0 | — | — | 3 | 0 | ||||
| Atlético Zabal |
2008–09 | 6th | 8 | 6 | — | — | — | 8 | 6 | |||
| Subtotal | 8 | 6 | — | — | — | 8 | 6 | |||||
| Linense |
2009–10 | 4th | 4 | 0 | — | — | — | 4 | 0 | |||
| Subtotal | 4 | 0 | — | — | — | 4 | 0 | |||||
| Los Barrios |
2009–10 | 4th | 13 | 2 | — | — | — | 13 | 2 | |||
| Subtotal | 13 | 2 | — | — | — | 13 | 2 | |||||
| Linense |
2010–11 | 4th | 13 | 1 | — | — | — | 13 | 1 | |||
| Subtotal | 13 | 1 | — | — | — | 13 | 1 | |||||
| San Roque |
2010–11 | 5th | 6 | 1 | — | — | — | 6 | 1 | |||
| 2011–12 | 4th | 30 | 10 | — | — | — | 30 | 10 | ||||
| Subtotal | 36 | 11 | — | — | — | 36 | 11 | |||||
| England | League | FA Cup | League Cup | Other[a] | Total | |||||||
 Portsmouth |
2012–13 | 3rd | 26 | 2 | 1 | 0 | — | 1 | 0 | 28 | 2 | |
| Subtotal | 26 | 2 | 1 | 0 | — | 1 | 0 | 28 | 2 | |||
| Spain | League | Copa del Rey | — | Other | Total | |||||||
| San Roque |
2013–14 | 4th | 9 | 2 | — | — | — | 9 | 2 | |||
| Subtotal | 9 | 2 | — | — | — | 9 | 2 | |||||
| Israel | League | State Cup | Toto Cup | Other | Total | |||||||
 Bnei Yehuda |
2013–14 | 1st | 1 | 1 | — | — | — | 1 | 1 | |||
| Subtotal | 1 | 1 | — | — | — | 1 | 1 | |||||
| Career totals | 112 | 25 | 2 | 0 | — | 1 | 0 | 115 | 25 | |||
- a. ^ Includes other competitive competitions, including the Football League Trophy.
International
- As of 20 January 2014.
