Liam Walker

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Liam Walker
File:Liam Walker against Slovakia.jpg
Walker playing for Gibraltar in 2013
Personal information
Full name Liam Walker[1]
Date of birth (1988-04-13) 13 April 1988 (age 36)[1]
Place of birth Gibraltar
Height Script error: No such module "person height".
Position(s) Midfielder
Team information
Current team
 Lincoln Red Imps
Number 88
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 34 (9)
2012–2013 Portsmouth 26 (2)
2013–2014 San Roque 9 (2)
2014 Bnei Yehuda 13 (1)
2014– Lincoln Red Imps 21 (24)
International career
2011–2012 Gibraltar XI 11 (5)
2013– Gibraltar 15 (0)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 13 December 2015

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

Career

Spanish lower levels

Walker began his career in Algeciras CF, making his debut on 22 October 2006, against Ayamonte.[2] 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,[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

File:Liam Walker with Lincol Red Imps.jpg
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.[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 hit the post early in the second half and 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 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]

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.[25]

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.[26] Walker stand as the only professional player in the national team.[27]

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.[28] He earned a starting spot in a 0–0 draw, played in Faro, Portugal.[29] He has since been a fixture in the starting XI during the side's maiden UEFA Euro 2016 qualification campaign, notably earning plaudits for an audacious long range effort against world champions Germany which brought an impressive save from Manuel Neuer.

Career statistics

Club

As of match played on 13 December 2015.
Club statistics
Club Season League National Cup League Cup Continental Other Total
Division Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals
Algeciras 2006–07[30] Tercera División 2 0 — — — — 2 0
2007–08[31] Segunda División B 0 0 1 0 — — — 1 0
Total 2 0 1 0 — — — 3 0
Atlético Zabal 2008–09[30] Regional Preferente 8 6 — — — — 8 6
Linense 2009–10[30] Tercera División 4 0 — — — — 4 0
Los Barrios 2009–10[30] Tercera División 13 2 — — — — 13 2
Linense 2010–11[30] Tercera División 13 1 — — — — 13 1
San Roque 2010–11[30] Primera Andaluza 6 1 — — — — 6 1
2011–12[30] Tercera División 28 8 — — — — 28 8
Total 34 9 — — — — 34 9
Portsmouth 2012–13[32] League One 26 2 1 0 0 0 — 1[lower-alpha 1] 0 28 2
San Roque 2013–14[30] Tercera División 9 2 — — — — 9 2
Bnei Yehuda 2013–14[32] Israeli Premier League 13 1 1 0 — — — 14 1
Lincoln Red Imps 2014–15[25] Premier Division 10 13 2 3 — — — 12 16
2015–16 4 3 0 0 — 4[lower-alpha 2] 0 — 8 3
Total 14 16 2 3 — 4 0 — 20 19
Career total 136 39 5 3 — 4 0 1 0 145 42

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International

As of 11 October 2015[33]
International statistics
National team Season Apps Goals
Gibraltar 2013 1 0
2014 7 0
2015 7 0
Total 15 0

References

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External links


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