Loyalty is a term that is almost non-existent in modern football, as money has taken over all morals in the game. There was a time however, when players showed extreme loyalty to their clubs and ended their careers as a one-club legend.
This article will be looking at one such player, who was a prominent footballer during the 1920's and 1930's. Let us look back at the career of legendary Aston Villa inside forward Billy Walker.
Debut campaign
Following a 4 year stint at Aston Villa's youth academy, Billy Walker made his senior side debut in the 1920 FA Cup. It was a dream start for the Englishman, who scored a brace to help Villa defeat non-league side QPR in the first round. This was the beginning of a great run in the tournament for Villa and Walker, with the latter's 3 goals in the succeeding rounds being vital to Villa reaching the final. An extra time winner against Chelsea by Billy Kirton saw Walker become an FA Cup winner in his debut season.
Walker's first season in the league was a success as well, with the inside forward recording an impressive 8 goals in 15 league appearances. This included an impressive hat-trick against Newcastle as well.
Aston Villa finished the season in 9th place, as the English First Division concluded it's first league campaign after the First World War.
Birth of a lethal goalscorer
Walker began the 1920-21 season on a thunderous note, scoring 4 goals in a 5-0 thumping of Arsenal. On November 1921, the inside forward made further history by becoming the first player to score a hat-trick of penalty kicks in a first division match against Bradford City.
The season marked the birth of an elite goalscorer, as Walker went on to score a magnificent 30 goals that season. 26 of those came in the league, while 4 goal was scored in the FA Cup. Walker scored over 20 league goals in each of the next two seasons that followed.
Aston Villa reached yet another FA Cup final in the 1923-24 season, with Walker yet again being instrumental for their progress in the tournament. However, they suffered defeat in the finals against Newcastle United this time around.
Walker scored 21 goals in the 1925-26 season, and it was the final time he recorded more than 20 league goals in his career. The year of 1926 saw Walker become Aston Villa's new captain, a role he continued till 1931.
His goalscoring abilities eventually slowed down as time went by.Walker recorded 10 goals in the 1927-28 campaign but he made the ultimate comeback with 19 goals in the following season. However, the next season saw him find the back of the net on 8 occasions for Aston Villa.
The failed title challenge and eventual departure
Walker and Aston Villa were close to winning the 1930-31 League title, but eventually lost out to Arsenal. While Villa were better than the Gunners in terms of attack, it was Arsenal's magnificent defensive unit that won them the title. A 33-year old Walker will still crucial for Villa, as he contributed 15 goals that season.
The 1932-33 saw a repeat of the 1930-31 campaign, as Villa came close again but ultimately lose out to the Gunners. A 4 point gap in the end meant that Arsenal became English Champions yet again. Walker was slowing down by this time, only scoring 5 goals that season.
Walker took part in 5 more games of the succeeding season, before calling it an end to his magical career. It was the end of an era, as Aston Villa's all-time top goalscorer (244 goals) bid farewell after a magical 18 year association with his beloved club.
