Billy Walker

Walker made his senior debut in January 1920 in the FA Cup, scoring twice as Aston Villa won 2–1 in the first round against non-league side Queens Park Rangers. He played in five more FA Cup games, scoring another three, helping Aston Villa reach the FA Cup Final, against second division Huddersfield Town. An extra time winner at Stamford Bridge by Billy Kirton saw Walker become an FA Cup winner in his debut season. Walker also scored 8 league goals in 15 matches at the back end of the 1919–20 season, including a hat-trick against Newcastle United, as Villa ended the first season after the first world war in ninth place. On the opening day of the 1920–21 season he scored four goals as Villa beat Arsenal 5–0. In November 1921, Walker became the first player to score a hat-trick of penalty kicks in a First Division match, the second ever after William McAulay for Walsall in 1900, doing so in a 7–1 win against Bradford City. Walker is one of twelve players to score this rare hat-trick in a League game, only matched later in the top flight by Charlie Mitten (Man Utd, 1950), Ken Barnes (Man City, 1957). and Justin Kluivert (Bournemouth, 2024). Walker scored 26 goals that season, his best total in the league, and four in the FA Cup. He also scored over 20 league goals in each of the next two seasons. The 1923–24 season saw Villa again reach the FA Cup final, Walker scoring three in six games, but they lost 2–0 to Newcastle United at Wembley. Walker scored 21 goals in the 1925–26…

Sheffield Wednesday

Walker became manager of Sheffield Wednesday in December 1933, and he successfully steered them away from relegation. In 1935 he led them to an FA Cup victory, but Wednesday were relegated two years later and Walker resigned in November 1937.

Chelmsford City

On 24 January 1938, Walker was appointed secretary-manager of newly formed club Chelmsford City. Walker's first signings as Chelmsford manager included former England international Eric Keen, Ireland international Jackie Coulter and Jack Palethorpe, whom he had managed at Sheffield Wednesday. On 20 October 1938, Walker resigned from Chelmsford due to conflict with Chelmsford's directors over transfers. Walker had intended to sign a player from Plymouth Argyle for free, before discovering a £500 fee was demanded, believing "that money was going to take a lot of finding" from the club.

Nottingham Forest

Walker managed Nottingham Forest from 1939 to 1960, bringing promotion to the First Division in 1956–57 and an FA Cup final triumph two years later, beating former team Aston Villa in the semi-finals and becoming the only manager to win the trophy both before and after the Second World War. He retired in 1960.

Billy Walker was born in Wednesbury, Staffordshire. His father George Walker had played professional football for Wolverhampton Wanders and Crystal Palace. His teenage years saw him play for a number of football clubs at junior level, starting at Hednesford Town in 1912. He went onto play for Fallings Heath, Darlaston, Wednesbury Old Park and Wednesbury Old Athletic. In 1915 he was signed by Aston Villa on a part-time contract, signing professional forms after the first world war in May 1919.

Player

Aston Villa

FA Cup: 1919–20; runner-up: 1923–24

Manager

Sheffield Wednesday

FA Cup: 1934–35 FA Charity Shield: 1935 Nottingham Forest

FA Cup: 1958–59 Football League Third Division South: 1950–51 Football League Second Division runner-up: 1956–57