Jimmy Walker goes from tubby trialist to legend

Nick Mashiter catches up with Walsall history maker Jimmy Walker."Don't say that, it makes me feel old," joked Jimmy Walker.

The goalkeeper had just been reminded he made his Walsall debut a mere 19 years ago as he stands on the brink of history. On Saturday at Brentford he should make his 530th club appearance, passing Colin Harrison's Saddlers record.

Tracksuited and relaxed he had bounded in to the coaches' office at Essington with the exuberance which has helped to make him a Walsall legend.

It could become a second home for the 38-year-old with goalkeeping coach Mick Kearns tipping Walker as his replacement. But there is still some playing life left in the man called 'Super Jim' by his adoring supporters.

Yet it could have been so different after 'Wacka' found his first gruelling pre-season in 1993 too hot to handle. A disillusioned kid, released by Notts County, he struggled in Kenny Hibbitt's tough fitness regime while on trial.

Kearns described him as a "Billy Bunter" character but advised Hibbitt to sign him over two others because "he was the only one who could keep the ball out of the net".

But, as Walker admits, he had to use his gift of the gab to convince the manager. "Back in those days there were no balls about and you ran for two weeks," he said.

"I was a little bit on the heavy side, even more than I am now. We were running for two weeks and did about three days of it before I said anything.

"I made half a mile and went 'phew, this isn't for me, this running business' and Kenny went 'what's up?' I didn't like to tell him my thighs were rubbing together so I said: 'It's my groin, Ken.'

"He wasn't overly impressed and I can't go into the ins and outs of what he said but I managed to convince him to take me to Ireland for their tour. I owe Kenny a bit of a debt. I talked my way into it.

"But that was it, I played a couple of games in Ireland and signed."

A debut in the 0-0 draw against Gillingham – where he was knocked out – followed, before he helped the Saddlers to promotion to the old Second Division in 1995 and the former First in 1999 and 2001.

"The only downer was the relegation from the Championship (in 2004) and even that was a fantastic season," said Walker, who then moved to West Ham. "We nearly did it and took it to the last game but Ipswich just had a bit too much.

"It was fantastic, the games, the Millennium Stadium and promotion."

A return to the Banks's was mooted and he rode to the rescue in October 2010, after leaving Spurs, to help Walsall beat the drop last term. This is likely to be his final season and his link-up with former team-mate Dean Smith, now Saddlers boss, has hit the pocket.

"You know someone as Deano or Smudge for 20 years and now he says: 'Start calling me gaffer.' I can't have it!" said Walker. "He's still trying to fine me for it.

"When I came back it was Skip (Martin O'Connor) who rang me and asked if I could come and do them a favour. It was unfortunate Martin and Chris (Hutchings) went but when Dean came in what a fantastic turnaround we had.

"It was great, one of my proudest achievements. The club has always been dear to my heart." Not bad for a tubby trialist.