Billy Walker

Lore & Background

Walker made his senior debut in January 1920 in the FA Cup, scoring twice as Aston Villa won 2–1 against Queens Park Rangers. He helped Villa reach the FA Cup Final that season, winning the trophy. He scored a hat-trick of penalty kicks in a 7–1 win against Bradford City in November 1921, the first player to do so in the First Division. He became Aston Villa's captain in 1926 and led the team for five years. He scored 214 league goals in 478 matches, ranking 17th in all-time top flight league scorers in England, and is Aston Villa's all-time top goalscorer with 244 goals in all competitions. He was capped 18 times by England, scoring nine goals, including England's first ever goal at Wembley.

In Their Own Story

The rain slicked the turf at Villa Park on a cold February afternoon in 1956. The crowd roared as Billy Walker received the ball deep in midfield, surrounded by pressing opponents. He didn't panic; instead, he turned smoothly, shielding the leather with his body before spotting a gap in the defense. With a precise, looping pass that seemed to defy gravity, he released the winger down the line. The stadium erupted as the attack unfolded, orchestrated entirely by the calm composure of number ten. In that moment, Walker wasn't just playing football; he was conducting it.

Reader's Guide

Walker is a forward who played for Aston Villa from 1919 to 1934. His major honour as a player was the FA Cup in 1919–20. He also reached the FA Cup final in 1923–24. As a manager, he won the FA Cup with Sheffield Wednesday in 1934–35 and with Nottingham Forest in 1958–59, the longest interval between FA Cup wins as manager.

Did You Know?

• Walker scored a hat-trick of penalty kicks in a First Division match in November 1921, the first player to do so.
• He scored England's first ever goal at Wembley in a 1–1 draw against Scotland in April 1924.
• He is Aston Villa's all-time top goalscorer with 244 goals.