Walsh Jimmy Image 1 Liverpool 1924

Description

Stockport, Cheshire born inside right Jimmy Walsh began his football career with Stockport Lads Club in 1919 and joined hometown professional club Stockport County, then in the Second Division, in the summer making his Football League debut at Cardiff City in September 1920. He soon became a regular in the first eleven, but couldn’t prevent their relegation at the end of the season. He contributed to their immediate return to the Second Division as Third Division (North) Champions before joining First Division Champions Liverpool in June 1922 after 5 goals in 40 appearances for The Hatters.

After spending a season in the reserves, Walsh got his first-team chance when Dick Johnson seriously injured his knee in the opening game of the 1923-24 season. Walsh scored twice on his League debut, a thumping 6-2 home win against Birmingham City on 29th August 1923 and finished the campaign as the club’s top-scorer with 19 from 42 matches. His star turn was scoring a hat-trick in a 4-1 FA Cup second round victory against Bolton Wanderers at Burnden Park in February 1924. After this exceptional season it was all downhill for Walsh as far as his Liverpool career was concerned although he was selected for the 1925 FA Tour of Australia, playing three times in unofficial “test” matches against the host nation’s eleven. However he had become a fringe player at Anfield, making only a further 35 appearances for the club over the next four seasons before joining Hull City in June 1928 after 27 goals in 77 appearances.

He was a regular performer during his three seasons at Anlaby Road, where he converted to a right half in 1929, and he was a member of their 1930 team that was both relegated and reached the FA Cup semi final, losing to eventual winners Arsenal in a replay. Walsh played in the 2-2 draw with Arsenal at Elland Road, but missed the replay. He left The Tigers for non league Colwyn Bay United in 1931 after 9 goals in 89 appearances, and after a spell on Crewe Alexandra’s books in 1931-32, during which he didn’t make a first team appearance, he returned to Colwyn Bay United in 1932, before joining Rhyl Athletic in 1933, where he ended his career.