RU: YMCA Skipper Walker’s club landmark

Apr 4 2009 by David Lockwood, Huddersfield Daily Examiner

YMCA club captain Neil Walker has become the most celebrated player in the history of Huddersfield YMCA rugby union club.

For the likeable 32-year-old has completed an incredible 349 first-team appearances to create a new club record – and he’s not done yet!

After notching his 102nd first-team try and overtaking previous record-holder Steve Thorpe (348), Walker declared that he’s hoping to play at least for another couple of seasons before even thinking about calling it a day.

“My body is starting to feel its age, but I must admit the buzz still kicks in on a Saturday morning when I know I’ve got a game in the afternoon,” said Walker, who began his career as a 10-year-old in the juniors at the YM, and but for short spells at Halifax and Old Brods, has spent the rest of his time at the Laund Hill club.

He made his first-team debut in 1994, and was part of the super side who swept everything before them in 1998, culminating in the visit to Twickenham.

“Obviously that has to be the highlight of my career, that whole season, when we went through 33 matches unbeaten, won the Yorkshire League, Yorkshire Shield and finally the Tetley Bitter Trophy at down at the Twickenham headquarters.”

Walker, who was one part of the renowned quartet of back rowers, which included Phil Ounsley, Rob Davies and Marcus Throssell, is now one of just two survivors from that team, along with current player-coach Jamie Marsden.