Jimmy Walker returns to Walsall
Friday 29th October 2010, 11:20AM BST.
Walsall legend Jimmy Walker has made a shock return to the Banks’s Stadium.
The Saddlers have signed the goalkeeper until January 2011 as they bid to solve their defensive crisis.
Walker goes straight into the squad for tomorrow’s trip to Huddersfield, subject to Premier League clearance, and is expected to start the game.
The team are joint bottom of League One after winning just once in their last 11 games in all competitions and Walker is up for the fight.
He said: “I’m glad to be back. Everyone knows how much I enjoyed my time here. Walsall are a club close to my heart and it’s great to be back.
“Hopefully I can come back and give the place a lift and get the team moving up the table.
“Obviously I know Martin O’Connor and Darren Byfield really well and I can’t wait to get going.”
The 37-year-old made 475 appearances for the Saddlers during an 11-year spell before leaving for West Ham in 2004.
Walker made just 20 starts in five years at Upton Park after a cruciate knee ligament injury in the Hammers’ 2005 play-off final win over Preston.
Then came a spell at Tottenham as fourth choice in 2009 before his last competitive game, Colchester’s 1-1 draw with Hartlepool in February 2009, while on loan at the Us.
Under-pressure boss Chris Hutchings has now moved for the free agent, despite signing goalkeepers Jonny Brain and David Bevan in the summer.
The Saddlers have kept one clean sheet all season, have won just three times all term, and only have 11 points from 13 games.
But Hutchings insisted Walker has the know-how to help the Saddlers in their hour of need.
The manager said: “Jimmy has the experience that we need at this time.
“He’s a strong character and an organiser, the type of person who will get people going. He had ten very successful years at the club and knows what we are all about.
“Since then he has worked alongside some top players and that higher level experience and know-how is sure to serve us well.
“On top of that he is a firm favourite amongst the supporters and will add extra competition for places.
“I am delighted to be able to bring him in and look forward to working alongside him.”
UK Sport
Latest Blog — A week is a long time in football
This time last week we were staring down the barrel, third from bottom with a worse record than at the same stage last year, writes Saddlers blogger Mark Jones.
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We are going up :D :P
welcome home Jimmy, :D
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Fantastic…not that we need another keeper, but this will be such a morale booster for fans and players alike.
Good signing. I was a massive fan of Super Jimmy Walker.
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Delighted to see super Jim back but this is a move just to keep the fans quiet a few weeks whilst we lose to Huddersfield, Sheffield Wednesday and Peterborough.
I wanted to remember the good memories of Jim and not put him into a struggling side with low morale. I just dont hope it ends in tears, because that will annoy us fans even more against the current regime.
This doesnt take the emphasis away from Hutchings though….Hutchings Out!!!
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Desperation time, but Jim will always be a big favorite with the fans. At 37 I hope he still has it, but even if not he will always be a Walsall legend in my eyes. Good luck Wacka, you’re going to need it.
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Welcome home jimmy ! at last chris realises that brain is just not good enough at this level,however what does this do to young bevans confidence ? as i have no doubt brain will be sat on the bench come saturday.
I hope jimmy has a positive effect on the other 10 playing saturday !
lets get behind the players some are more than good enough some perhaps not but theres only one man to blame for that !
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Welcome back jimmy shame im not going to see you play.
Jimmy for boss!!!!
hutchings out!!!!!
bonser out!!!!!!
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Shocked
I could not believe what I was reading
Where does it leave Brain and Bevan – a bit of a kick in the teeth for them
Great to see Wacka back but I really hope it doesnt end in tears
He has played so few games – dont get me wrong I want him to make a difference and do well but if things dont get better I hope Wacka comes out of it smiling
Great bloke great signing
Welcome home Jimmy….
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super jimmy walker :D
jimmy is going to turn the season around
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Daventry Saddler has a point. Whilst we will all love to have Wacka back, Bevan is probably ultimately paying the price for Brains howlers.
Perhaps we could put Wacka in at full-back or centre midfield ?!
Otherwise will be great to see Wacka again, but lack of match practice is also a concern.
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Now firstly, let me say this is no dig at Jimmy who is a Walsall legend.
It is however more proof (if anymore were really needed) that Hutchings is a complete waste of space.
Not only have we had to cover his squad building mistakes by signing 4 loan players, we now have had to sign a goalkeeper to compensate for the complete mess Hutchings made of filling that position.
I thought your two keeper signings in the summer were good enough Hutchings? So good that you’ve now had to go out and sign an ageing keeper to cover for the useless ones you signed in the summer.
Just how much more of our limited resources are we going to allow Hutchings to pee up the wall?
The time has come, the man is a walking disaster, get rid NOW!
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The Chris Hutchings comedy roadshow show continues!
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Happy to see a Walsall legend back but yes it is a move to keep the fans happy. Doesn’t change the fact we wouldn’t be bottom of the league with a decent manager.
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Good keeper lets hope the defence help him out otherwise it could be 6 2 moz CH out now..
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desperate.
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Seriously, last season he returned for another team and we made him look inadequate. I really enjoyed watching Jimmy in goal and had confidence in him but I am not sure it is the correct signing “to take the club forward”. If we are going back to go forward then the next people through the door must surely be Terry Ramsden and Paul Merson.
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Nice one Jeff, bring back a legend to try an appease fans whilst diverting attention away from yourself and the sorry state you have got the club into.
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could we get Mo’C back in CM,
only 8 more of the play off season to go, :D
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can we get MOC to play in CM,
then we’d only need 8 more of the Play off team to come back :D
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This could be the signing to save Hutchings’ managerial stint at Walsall. At 37 Walker still may have another good five years in the game. Bit concerned regarding his lack of match practice but he’s communication and organisation at the back will be immense.
Wakka should be Captain instead of the out-of-form Lescott. Brain’s lack of confidence, poor decision making and inability to talk or organise his defence have cost Walsall every single goal they’ve conceded this season.
Get Darryl Westlake in at right back instead of shipping in out to Lincoln and a Bryan Hughes type midfield and relegation fears will be rediculed at the end of the season.
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this just shows what a waste of time Hutchings is. Two keepers, both useless, replaced by a 37 year old who aint played a game in 8 months.
All the best though wakka – you’ll always be a legend, pity you’re putting it at risk by signing for that idiot. I also regret that I won’t see you play at Bescot until that fool is finally sacked.
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Hope I’m wrong – but this looks desperate. A lot of time has passed by, I hope Jimmy still has it.
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Agree with most that it is an attempt to take the limelight off Hutchings but let’s take the positives out of it at least eh?
Super Jim will organise the defence so that gives us a chance and they will listen to him and have confidence in him.
Some have said we have 2 bad keepers in Brain and Bevan..we have one barely Blue Sq Premier standard keeper in Brain but we can’t knock the signing of Bevan as he hasn’t had a chance yet! Cancel Brain’s contract and put the funds towards a permanent signing…and as it’s mentioned, why didn’t we sign Bryan Hughes I wonder….Bonser again no doubt.
CH needs to shake it up a bit tomorrow, go for it and give a chance to some of those who raring for a start and the chance to impress – Starting XI – Walker, Westlake, Smith, McDonald, McGivern, Devaney, Jones, Taundry, Paterson, Grigg and Macken. Subs – Bevan, Lancashire, Marshall, Reid, Nicholls, Geddes, Gray. Come on you Saddlers!
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What is everyone complaining about? Life will be great in Division 2. Lots more local games to go to…. namely Chesterfield and Burton etc. Just think of the money Walsall FC will save by not having to pay for nights away before a league game!!!!!!! It’ll compensate for the lack of funds coming through the gates! I’m sure this is all part of Walsall FCs big plans!
Anyway, goodluck Jimmy (you’ll needit!) and you can’t be any worse than Brain. I know you will get a huge reception for your first home game on Tuesday.
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When’s Jimmy coming back? Oh, he has! Welcome “home” Jimmy – a true Walsall legend. All we need now is an experienced, creative central midfield player and a big centre forward…..and Andrew Davies to come back in a month’s time.
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Just saw Dean Keates at the ground … could he the midfield problem solver!
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Wacka is and always will be a legend for any true Saddler and i welcome him back to his true home.
But this in my opinion changes nothing, any manager with any pride would have walked from the job last Saturday after one of the worst performances i have seen in my 40 years following the club, against a team who wiil like us finish in the bottom 4.
I sncerely hope that we get thumped tomorrow although it saddens me to do so, maybe then we will see the much needed change of manager before it is to late
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welcome home wacka theres only 1 jimmy walker
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YYYYYYYYYYYYYYYEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEESSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS
Welcome Back Wacker
(wish you’d never left)
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One word ….D-E-S-P-E-R-A-T-I-O-N…..
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JW A LEGEND
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