Liam_Walker

Liam Walker

Liam Walker

Gibraltarian association football player

Liam Walker (born 13 April 1988) is a Gibraltarian footballer who plays as a midfielder for Lincoln Red Imps[2] and the Gibraltar national team.

Quick Facts Personal information, Full name ...

Walker spent most of his career with lower-league Spanish clubs and in the Gibraltar Premier Division. He also had brief spells with England's Portsmouth (League One) and Notts County (League Two), and Bnei Yehuda Tel Aviv in the Israeli Premier League. He made his international debut for Gibraltar in their first official game in 2013, and as of 2022, he is the current record caps holder and goalscorer for Gibraltar.

Club career

Spanish lower levels

Walker began his career in Algeciras CF, making his debut on 22 October 2006, against Ayamonte.[3] He received his first start 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. During the 2009–10 season, he was promoted to Linense's first team, but only made four appearances, all from the bench, 89 minutes overall.

In January 2010, he signed with UD Los Barrios,[4] 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,[5] 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.[6] 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).[7]

Portsmouth

Walker (right) with Lincoln Red Imps in 2015

In July 2012, Walker was called by Portsmouth manager Michael Appleton to train with the club, after an impressive performance for Gibraltar.[8] He was a part of the squad in the club pre-season matches, against Bolton Wanderers, on 4 August.[9] In his next game, on 8 August, he scored the final goal, against AFC Wimbledon.[10]

On 16 August, Walker signed a one-month contract with Pompey.[11] 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 hit the post early in the second half and also assisted Rodgers in the first goal of the match.[12] 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.[13]

Walker scored his first league goal for Portsmouth against Scunthorpe United on 2 February 2013.[14] He scored his second on the 16th, against Carlisle United, from the penalty spot.[15] Walker finished the season with three assists, only behind Jed Wallace (5) and Howard (6).

At the end of the season, Walker was challenged to earn a new deal by manager Guy Whittingham.[16] However, on 9 July, Walker announced that he would join a Greek club.[17]

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.[18] He was also linked to a move for Aris Thessaloniki, but the deal fell through.[19]

In late July, Walker returned to San Roque, only training with the club while waiting for a "convincing offer" from any club.[20] On 2 August, he signed with San Roque.[21][22]

Walker scored in his San Roque re-debut on 5 October, but in a 1–2 home loss against Recreativo B.[23] 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.[24] On 21 January 2013 he joined Israeli Premier League side Bnei Yehuda Tel Aviv F.C. on a 2+1⁄2-year contract, after being recommended by Yossi Benayoun and reuniting with former teammate James Keene.[25]

He played 14 total games during his time in the Middle East, scoring a long-range free kick in a 2–0 win at Hapoel Ra'anana on 1 February.[26]

Lincoln Red Imps

On 16 September 2014, Lincoln Red Imps announced that Walker had returned to Gibraltar to play for them. In his first season, Walker scored 13 goals in 10 league matches, placing him third in the league in scoring.[27] In August 2016, it was Lincoln Red Imps announced that Walkers recently expired contract would not be extended. In total Walker appeared in 43 league matches for the club, scoring 24 goals.[28]

Europa FC

On 18 August 2016 it was announced that Walker had signed for Europa FC, a regular Europa League participant and fellow Gibraltar Premier Division club.[29] Walker debuted for Europa on 18 September 2016 in the 2016 Pepe Reyes Cup against his former club Lincoln. Europa won the match 2–0 with Enrique "Kike" Gomez scoring a brace.[30] Walker tallied an assists and played all 90 minutes of the match.[31] During Europa's first match of the 2016–17 season, Walker scored his first goal for his new club on his league debut, the only goal in 1–0 victory over Lions Gibraltar.[32]

Notts County

After scoring in the Greens' Champions League exit to The New Saints, Walker went on trial with EFL League One club Southend United, appearing in the second half of their friendly with Braintree Town.[33] He then went on trial with Notts County of EFL League Two and appeared in a pre-season friendly against Nottingham Forest.[34]

On 25 July 2017, it was confirmed that he had impressed manager Kevin Nolan enough to earn a permanent deal with the Magpies.[35] He made his debut on 5 August, starting in a 3–0 loss at Coventry City in the season opener.[36] On 30 April 2018, Walker left the Meadow Lane club after 19 official games "to pursue opportunities elsewhere".[37] He signed a three-year contract back at Europa in June.[38]

International career

Walker playing for Gibraltar in 2013.

Walker played in 2011 Island Games, starting in all Gibraltar's matches, and scoring a hat-trick against Ynys Môn on 27 June.[39] Walker stood as the only professional player in the national team.[40]

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.[41] He earned a starting spot in a 0–0 draw, played in Faro, Portugal.[42]

Walker scored his first international goal, and Gibraltar's first goal in a competitive FIFA fixture, with a left-footed blast to tie against Greece in Gibraltar's World Cup qualifying debut on 6 September 2016, tying the match 1–1 before eventually falling 1–4. Walker was named the FIFA Player of the Day following the match.[43] He scored his second international goal, levelling the record set by Jake Gosling and Lee Casciaro, on 25 March 2018. A deflected free-kick saw Gibraltar beat Latvia 1–0 at the Victoria Stadium.[44]

In November 2020, Walker became the first player to reach 50 caps for Gibraltar since the national team joined UEFA.

In 2021, scored his third goal in the defeat against Latvia.

In 2022, scored his fourth goal in the draw against Bulgaria and become the top scorer of the national team.

Career statistics

Club

As of match played on 26 May 2019
More information Club, Season ...
  1. Appearance in Football League Trophy
  2. Appearance(s) in UEFA Champions League

International

As of match played 26 March 2024[48]
More information National team, Year ...
Scores and results list Gibraltar's goal tally first, score column indicates score after each Walker goal.[48]
More information No., Date ...

Honours

Lincoln Red Imps[49]

Europa[49]

Individual

References

  1. [1]
    Brown, Tony; Joyce, Michael; Longbottom, David, eds. (2013). English National Football Archive Yearbook 2013. Tony Brown. p. 162. ISBN 978-1-905891-62-7.
  2. [2]
    Back at the Best as Walker Returns Lincoln Red Imps FC. 13 June 2021. Retrieved 13 June 2021.
  3. [3]
    "El Algeciras golea el Ayamonte" [Algeciras overcomes Ayamonte] (in Spanish). La Preferente. 22 October 2006.
  4. [4]
    "Los Barrios incorporam ex-Zabalista Liam Walker" [Los Barrios sign ex-Zabal Liam Walker] (in Spanish). La Goleada. 26 January 2010.
  5. [5]
    "Liam retoma por dos años su relación con la Balona" [Liam rejoins Balona for two years] (in Spanish). La Goleada. 25 May 2010. Archived from the original on 20 October 2013.
  6. [6]
    "El gibraltareño Liam Walker abandona de nuevo la Balona" [Gibraltarian Liam Walker leaves Balona again] (in Spanish). La Goleada. 18 January 2011. Archived from the original on 20 October 2013.
  7. [7]
    "Liam Walker, el 'MVP' del San Roque" [Liam Walker, San Roque's 'Man of the Match'] (in Spanish). EuropaSur. 26 December 2011.
  8. [8]
    Liam Walker training with Portsmouth; Football Gibraltar, 22 July 2012
  9. [9]
    Pompey 3 Bolton 0 Archived 7 August 2012 at the Wayback Machine; Portsmouth F.C., 4 August 2012
  10. [10]
    AFC Wimbledon 0 Pompey 2 Archived 10 September 2012 at the Wayback Machine; Portsmouth F.C., 8 August 2012
  11. [11]
    New Faces At Fratton Archived 8 January 2012 at the Wayback Machine; Portsmouth FC's official website, 16 August 2012
  12. [12]
    Colchester 2–2 Portsmouth; BBC Sport, 21 August 2012
  13. [13]
    Portsmouth 1–2 Yeovil; BBC Sport, 29 December 2012
  14. [14]
    Scunthorpe 2–1 Portsmouth; BBC Sport, 2 February 2013
  15. [15]
    Portsmouth 1–1 Carlisle; BBC Sport, 16 February 2013
  16. [16]
    Guy challenges Walker to win new deal Archived 9 June 2013 at the Wayback Machine; Portsmouth News, 20 May 2013
  17. [17]
    No Pompey return for Walker Archived 13 July 2013 at the Wayback Machine; Portsmouth News, 9 July 2013
  18. [18]
    Transfer Talk, July 18: All the news and latest rumours; Daily Record, 18 July 2013
  19. [19]
    Liam Walker's Greek deal falls through; scores for San Roque last night; Football Gibraltar, 20 July 2013
  20. [20]
    "El San Roque espera que Liam Walker sea la guinda" [San Roque expects that Liam Walker becomes the cherry] (in Spanish). EuropaSur. 22 July 2013. Retrieved 25 July 2013.
  21. [21]
    "El gibraltareño Liam Walker podría fichar en las próximas horas por el San Roque" [Gibraltarian Liam Walker could sign for San Roque in the following hours] (in Spanish). Hora Sur Digital. 2 August 2013. Archived from the original on 22 October 2013. Retrieved 9 September 2013.
  22. [22]
    "El San Roque no tocará lo que funciona" [San Roque will not change what works] (in Spanish). Europa Sur. 6 September 2013. Retrieved 9 September 2013.
  23. [23]
    "Antonio Domínguez y Merino dan la victoria al Recre B en San Roque" [Antonio Domínguez and Merino give the victory to Recre B in San Roque] (in Spanish). El Desmarque de Huelva. 5 October 2013. Retrieved 21 January 2014.
  24. [24]
    "El San Roque da la carta de libertad a Walker para que se marche a la liga israelí" [San Roque gives green light to Walker for an Israeli league move] (in Spanish). Sanropolis. 9 January 2014. Retrieved 21 January 2014.
  25. [25]
    נסגרה מכסת הזרים: ליאם ווקר חתם לשנתיים וחצי [Closed foreign quota: Liam Walker signs a two-and-a-half year] (in Hebrew). Bnei Yehuda Tel Aviv F.C. Retrieved 21 January 2014.
  26. [26]
    Campbell, Paul (3 February 2014). "The best goals of the week". The Guardian. Retrieved 17 October 2018.
  27. [27]
    "Top Scorers". UEFA. Retrieved 7 July 2015.
  28. [28]
    Fortuna, Julian. "Walker to leave Lincoln". GibFootballTalk. Archived from the original on 20 August 2016. Retrieved 5 August 2016.
  29. [29]
    Fortuna, Julian. "Walker joins Europa". GibFootballTalk. Archived from the original on 15 November 2016. Retrieved 18 August 2016.
  30. [30]
    Fortuna, Julian. "Kike brace sinks Imps". GibFootballTalk. Archived from the original on 8 October 2016. Retrieved 18 September 2016.
  31. [31]
    "Lincoln Red Imps v Europa". GibFootballTalk. Archived from the original on 19 September 2016. Retrieved 18 September 2016.
  32. [32]
    Fortuna, Julian. "Lincoln demolish Lynx as Europa leave it late against Lions". GibFootballTalk. Archived from the original on 8 October 2016. Retrieved 25 September 2016.
  33. [33]
    Iron are defeated by Southend but there should be plenty to encourage fans Daily Gazette. 15 July 2017.
  34. [34]
    "WATCH: Who is Notts County's number eight?". Sky Sports. Retrieved 20 July 2017.
  35. [35]
    Notts County: Gibraltar international Liam Walker joins League Two club BBC Sport. 25 July 2017.
  36. [36]
    Curtis, Leigh (5 August 2017). "Notts County suffer defeat to Coventry City in League Two opener thanks to Jodi Jones hat-trick". Nottingham Post. Retrieved 17 October 2018.
  37. [37]
    "Liam Walker departs". Notts County F.C. 30 April 2018. Retrieved 17 October 2018.
  38. [38]
    "Liam Walker: I want to carry on making history". Europa FC. 7 June 2018. Retrieved 17 October 2018.
  39. [39]
    Island Games Results | 2011 | Sports | Football; 27 June 2011
  40. [40]
    "Liam Walker, el único futbolista de Gibraltar que vive del fútbol" [Liam Walker, the only Gibraltarian footballer who lives from football] (in Spanish). TeInteresa.es. 24 May 2013.
  41. [41]
    "23 man squad for Slovakia game selected". Football Gibraltar. Retrieved 13 November 2013.
  42. [42]
    "Gibraltar 0–0 Slovakia". Football Gibraltar. Retrieved 19 November 2013.
  43. [43]
    "EURO finalists disappoint as Belgium and Greece dominate". FIFA. Archived from the original on 7 September 2016. Retrieved 7 September 2016.
  44. [44]
    "Watch Notts County player secure only second ever win for footballing minnows Gibraltar". Talksport. 26 March 2018. Retrieved 11 November 2020.
  45. [45]
    "Liam Walker" (in Spanish). La Preferente. Retrieved 12 February 2014.
  46. [46]
    "Liam: Liam Walker: 2007–08". BDFutbol. Retrieved 12 February 2014.
  47. [47]
    "L. Walker". Soccerway. Retrieved 12 February 2014.
  48. [48]
    "Liam Walker". National Football Teams. Retrieved 12 February 2014.
  49. [49]
    "L. Walker - Profile with news, career statistics and history". Soccerway. Retrieved 22 October 2021.
  50. [50]
    Walker and Escobar win FG Monthly Awards in November Football Gibraltar. 4 December 2019. Retrieved 6 December 2019.
  51. [51]
    FG Awards 20: Part 1 - Positional Awards and Manager of the Season Football Gibraltar. 28 May 2020. Retrieved 28 May 2020.
  52. [52]
    FG Awards 20: Part 2 - Young Player, Player and Team of the Season Football Gibraltar. 1 June 2020. Retrieved 1 June 2020.
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