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Dean Smith hails Walsall record breaker Jimmy Walker
Friday 13th January 2012, 1:09PM GMT.
Walsall boss Dean Smith today claimed Jimmy Walker’s impending record will never be broken – and insisted he is a Saddlers legend.
The stopper will make his 530th Saddlers outing tomorrow at Brentford, if selected, to beat Colin Harrison’s 31-year-old record.
Walker is just one of four players to have made over 500 appearances for Walsall – with Harrison, Colin Taylor and Nick Atthey – but Smith insisted he will stand alone tomorrow.
“It won’t ever be broken,” he said. “The way the players move now there’s not a lot of longevity at any club for any players. If someone goes and plays that many games for a football club certainly deserves legendary status
“There aren’t many players who go on to make that many appearances for one club and I was really pleased he got his testimonial and then a big move – which he deserved – to West Ham.
“It’s a fantastic achievement. I was at the club when Wacka came in, he’d just been released by Notts County and did well enough to earn himself a contract. He’s a great character, been a great goalkeeper and servant to the club. It’s something he deserves.”
Walker first joined in 1993 and returned to the club in 2010 following a spell at Tottenham, six years after leaving for West Ham, and Smith thanked him for his service.
He said: “Jimmy came back and was a major part in us staying up last season. I had a chat with him about staying on this season over a game of golf – I let him beat me – and he decided to stay after that.
“He wouldn’t like to openly admit it but he loves working with Kearnsy. (Mick Kearns, goalkeeping coach).
“But he’s not changed, he’s more experienced and more of a help to young players though.”
Meanwhile, Walsall’s home game with Notts County will now be played on Tuesday, January 31 (7.45pm).
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I would like to record my appreciation to Jimmy Walker for all the pleasure he has given to us supporters over the years. I remember him playing his first game for the club, and I was sorry to see him leave for West Ham.
We have had several players over the years who were capable of playing at a much higher level and Jimmy is certainly one of those.
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