Jimmy Walker proud of new Walsall record

Jimmy Walker today revealed his pride and honour as he looks forward to becoming a Walsall history maker.

The 38-year-old keeper is set to break the Saddlers' appearance record on Saturday at Brentford with his 530th outing – passing club legend Colin Harrison.

Walker joined the Saddlers in 1993 and played 476 times before moving to West Ham in 2004. He returned in 2010 after a spell at Spurs and admitted Saturday will be one of his greatest achievements. "It's harder and harder to do now and it's a great achievement, I'm really proud of it," said Walker, who has won three promotions with the Saddlers.

"It's something I'll always remember. Who'd have known it after my first game against Gillingham when I got knocked out? It was eventful – start as you mean to go on, as they say.

"I'd left Notts County at the time and was a little disillusioned. It's a long time ago so I can't remember all my feelings but I remember thinking: 'I don't know if this is what I want to do.'

"Paul Taylor said come in and see how it goes. The lads were great and I've never looked back."

Walker shelved retirement plans last season after helping the Saddlers beat the League One drop on a thrilling final day in May.

He is expected to hang up his gloves at the end of this term but admitted he is yet to make a final call.

"Ask me that weekly, it changes," he said. "I'm enjoying it, loving it, at the moment. There's nothing better than playing.

"Maybe people think I'm a bit odd but when there's a bit of a crowd at the Banks's it's great – especially when I get a few chants from the opposition fans. I'd miss that massively.

"I still feel I'm doing an OK job. I want to keep going for as long as I can."

But, despite his personal goals, Walker admitted the Saddlers have flopped this season.

They are 20th in League One, a point above the drop zone, but the veteran expects them to improve this year.

"It's been a hard season, I was hoping we wouldn't be where we are but it's a very competitive league," he said.

"It took us time to get into it but at the minute we look hard to beat."