Walsall legend Wacka gives something back

With close to 600 appearances in a career which spanned three decades, it's safe to say Walsall legend Jimmy Walker knows a thing or two about goalkeeping.

Now, the club's record appearance holder is aiming to pass his knowledge on to the next generation of shot-stoppers.

Walker returns to the Midlands this Saturday to launch his goalkeeping academy at Pelsall's Shelfield Community Academy.

And the former Bescot hero admits he has dreams of unearthing a star of the future, saying: "There are a lot of good young goalkeepers out there.

"I'm keen to help any keeper, at any level, become a better player. If there are those who I think have a chance of going a bit further, we will look to push them on.

"The ultimate aim is to work with a keeper and get them to the very top."

Walker, affectionately known as 'Wacka' from his time with the Saddlers, plans for Saturday's camp to be an introduction before he begins to hold a weekly academy later in the year.

The training module is an extension of the schemes he devised while goalkeeper coach at Peterborough, a post he took after hanging up his gloves and leaving the Saddlers for a second time in January 2013.

He said: "I wanted to play more at Walsall, but it wasn't to be. I ended up going to Peterborough and it was a good decision, I had a great couple of years there.

"Coaching was a natural progression for me and I really got into it. Peterborough are a similar club to Walsall in terms of size and it was very much all hands to the pump, a great learning curve.

"I was in charge of the keepers, from the first team all the way down to the under-nines.

"I really enjoyed it. We went through the whole module, in terms of how we got about coaching. It got some really positive feedback.

"The academy course is going to be far more structured though it is more or less the same modules. I really think youngsters can get a lot out of it."

Sessions will be based, first and foremost, on enjoyment and Walker is planning to be hands-on.

He added: "I want to throw it out there, to give something back. Depending on the numbers I might need to bring in another coach if we do well."

Having worked alongside internationals like Robert Green and Heurelho Gomes during his years at West Ham and Spurs, Walker believes he has plenty of advice to pass on.

He said: "I've worked with some fantastic players and under some great managers. You pick up things from different players, watching how they train and how they look after themselves.

"All that knowledge can be passed on to the next generation."

The session, which runs between 10am and noon, costs £10 to book in advance online at jimmywalkergk.co.uk or £15 on the day.

It's open for under-sevens up to under-15s, though there are plans to run classes for over-16s.

For Walker, it's a chance to keep having an impact in the game he loves. The 41-year-old still regularly turns out for the Saddlers Legends team.

He said: "Nothing beats playing. I have played a couple of charity games and been stood in the tunnel with my heart still going the way it used to.

"I watch some games on TV and still think I can do a job. I've been blessed to be able to call the sport I love 'work' for well over 20 years.

"Now I'm just as passionate and committed to being the best coach I can."