Mike Walker (Welsh footballer)
| Personal information | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Full name | Michael Stewart Gordon Walker | ||
| Date of birth | 28 November 1945 | ||
| Place of birth | Colwyn Bay, Wales | ||
| Playing position | Goalkeeper | ||
| Senior career* | |||
| Years | Team | Apps | (Gls) |
| 1963–1964 | Reading | 0 | (0) |
| 1964–1966 | Shrewsbury Town | 7 | (0) |
| 1966–1968 | York City | 60 | (0) |
| 1968–1973 | Watford | 137 | (0) |
| 1973 | → Charlton Athletic (loan) | 1 | (0) |
| 1973–1983 | Colchester United | 451 | (0) |
| National team | |||
| Wales U23 | 4 | (0) | |
| Teams managed | |||
| 1986–1987 | Colchester United | ||
| 1992–1994 | Norwich City | ||
| 1994 | Everton | ||
| 1996–1998 | Norwich City | ||
| 2000–2001 | APOEL | ||
| * Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only. |
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Michael Stewart Gordon "Mike" Walker (born 28 November 1945 in Colwyn Bay, Wales) is a Welsh former footballer and manager. After starting his career at Reading, Walker played as a goalkeeper in the Football League for five clubs, most notably Watford and Colchester United. He later managed Colchester, Norwich City, Everton and APOEL. In 2010 he was inducted into the Colchester United Football Club Hall of Fame.
Walker represented Wales at under-23 level on four occasions. His son Ian, also a goalkeeper, later played for England's senior team.
Walker started his playing career as a goalkeeper with Reading in January 1963. He joined Shrewsbury Town in June 1964 and also played for York City F.C., Watford F.C., Charlton Athletic F.C. and most notably Colchester United for whom he made 363 league appearances for. Perhaps the most memorable moment in Walker's playing career came when lower division Watford knocked Bill Shankly's Liverpool out of the FA Cup in February 1970, in what was considered to be a major cup upset and a result which convinced Shankly of the need to dismantle his aging side and begin building a new team. Walker himself played a vital part in Watford's victory by saving a penalty, something which endeared him to Everton supporters many years before he became Everton manager.
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