Andy Walker in action
Andy picking up the Player of the Month Award in 1983A skilful winger who came up through the club’s youth and reserve teams, making his first team debut in the home game against Slough Town in April 1982 as a 17 year old. His exciting style and immaculate skills caused havoc in many opponents’ defences and was always amongst the goals.
His first full season in the first team saw Andy become one of the stars of an emerging young side that manager Gwyn Walters had assembled. The club won promotion that season, finishing as runners-up to Worthing in the isthmian League Division One.
Andy studied at San Diego University from 1983-1985 and played for San Diego Sockets in the USA and professionally in Mexico. During this time he returned to the UK each December – April playing for Harlow. His return in December 1983 was particularly important as his displays helped the side move away from the relegation zone to a comfortable mid-table position by the end of the season.
However, in January 1986 he signed fro Grays Athletic together with Marc Das (another player who had come up through the ranks with Andy) in a particularly acrimonious transfer. Harlow claimed that the players were illegally approached, which was upheld by the league, but by the time the decision had been reached most of the season was over. Despite this incident Andy returned to the club in November 1987 from Boreham Wood and played in the final of the Knight Floodlight Cup against Dover at the end of that season. The following campaign he helped the club win the Division Two (North) Championship and also played in the East Anglian Cup winning side the following season. In 1990-91 he was unable to hold down a regular place in the side and went out on loan to Aveley and Boreham Wood before leaving the club at the end of that season.
After leaving the club Andy went on to win First Division Championships with both Stevenage Borough and Bishop’s Stortford before returning to the club for a final time in February 1997. Once again Andy made a big impact, helping the side win back-to-back promotions from Division Three and Two, before hanging up his boots at the end of the 1998-99 season. Andy became the first player in the club’s history to win four promotions whilst with the club and he later had a two short spells as caretaker manager, the first in December 2000 and the second in February 2002.
In total Andy made 269 appearances for the club, scoring 60 goals.
His first full season in the first team saw Andy become one of the stars of an emerging young side that manager Gwyn Walters had assembled. The club won promotion that season, finishing as runners-up to Worthing in the isthmian League Division One.
Andy studied at San Diego University from 1983-1985 and played for San Diego Sockets in the USA and professionally in Mexico. During this time he returned to the UK each December – April playing for Harlow. His return in December 1983 was particularly important as his displays helped the side move away from the relegation zone to a comfortable mid-table position by the end of the season.
However, in January 1986 he signed fro Grays Athletic together with Marc Das (another player who had come up through the ranks with Andy) in a particularly acrimonious transfer. Harlow claimed that the players were illegally approached, which was upheld by the league, but by the time the decision had been reached most of the season was over. Despite this incident Andy returned to the club in November 1987 from Boreham Wood and played in the final of the Knight Floodlight Cup against Dover at the end of that season. The following campaign he helped the club win the Division Two (North) Championship and also played in the East Anglian Cup winning side the following season. In 1990-91 he was unable to hold down a regular place in the side and went out on loan to Aveley and Boreham Wood before leaving the club at the end of that season.
After leaving the club Andy went on to win First Division Championships with both Stevenage Borough and Bishop’s Stortford before returning to the club for a final time in February 1997. Once again Andy made a big impact, helping the side win back-to-back promotions from Division Three and Two, before hanging up his boots at the end of the 1998-99 season. Andy became the first player in the club’s history to win four promotions whilst with the club and he later had a two short spells as caretaker manager, the first in December 2000 and the second in February 2002.
In total Andy made 269 appearances for the club, scoring 60 goals.
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