Full name Joseph Nicol Walker Years Team | Playing position Name Nicky Walker | |
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Date of birth (1962-09-29) 29 September 1962 (age 53) | ||
Nicky walker post worcester city
Joseph Nicol Walker (born 29 September 1962) is a Scottish former professional footballer, who played as a goalkeeper for several clubs in Scotland and England. Walker was selected for many Scotland squads during the 1990s, earning two international caps.
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Club
A product of the Scottish Highland Football League, Walker commenced his professional football career with his local club, Elgin City FC, then a Highland League club, prior to signing for Leicester City aged 17. He didn’t settle in the Midlands though, and returned to Scotland within the year, signing for Motherwell in 1981. Two years later, he moved, this time signing for Rangers, where he soon established himself as the Light Blues first choice keeper.
The arrival of Chris Woods as part of the Souness revolution relegated Walker to the Ibrox substitutes bench though, and after several seasons playing second fiddle to the England number 1, Walker joined Heart of Midlothian in a £125,000 deal. Despite losing his place as first choice goalkeeper at Ibrox he played in the 1987/88 Scottish League Cup Final against Aberdeen which Rangers won after a penalty shoot-out.
Walker’s time at Tynecastle developed into a see-saw battle with Henry Smith for the starting goalkeeping role, both men earning international recognition when in the Hearts first team but enduring significant spells on the sidelines. Smith eventually won the duel and, after a loan spell with Burnley, Walker moved to Partick Thistle in 1994 in a part-exchange deal for Craig Nelson.
Firhill proved a happy home for Walker, and he enjoyed his most consistent period in the West of Glasgow. When Thistle were relegated in 1996, his form was sufficient to earn a £60,000 move to high-flying Aberdeen. He left Pittodrie in 1999 after he was supplanted by Derek Stillie, winding down his career with short spells at Ross County and Inverness Caledonian Thistle.
International
Walker earned two international caps for Scotland, making his debut in a 1–0 defeat by Germany in 1993. His only other appearance was three years later, against the United States. Walker was selected as a reserve goalkeeper in the Scotland squad for UEFA Euro 1996.
Personal life
Walker's family company is Walkers Shortbread, based in the Speyside village of Aberlour, Morayshire, in north east Scotland.