James Walker is a professional goalkeeper who was born on July 9, 1973 in Sutton-in-Ashfield, England. Popularly known as "Wacka" in the football circuit, he is married and has a son.
In 1991, James Walker began his professional football career with the Notts County youth team and represented the team for two years. James Walker moved to the Walsall football club in August 1993 on a free transfer. He had a spectacular first season at this club by making 31 consecutive league appearances for the senior side. During his stint at this club from 1993 to 2004, James Walker was considered as the defensive bedrock of the side and has appeared in 403 games for this club.
In the summer of 2004, James Walker signed a contract with the English Premier League side, West Ham United. It was in August 2004, he made an impressive debut for his club by keeping a clean sheet in its 2-0 win over Southend United in second round of the League Cup. He carried on this good form in the next game against Chelsea in the fourth round, in which he saved the penalty kick from a former West Ham United’s player, Frank Lampard. This performance of James Walker gained him more reputation among fans. On January 15, 2005, he made his Championship debut in the club’s game against Wolverhampton Wanderers. By April 2005, he established himself as a first choice player and started the last eleven games of the season, which concluded with the Championship play-off final against Preston North End. During the final, he displayed an impressive performance that helped his team win the 2005 Football League Championship Play-Off. In March 2006, James Walker made his premiership debut for the club in its match against Portsmouth, which was his lifelong ambition. As of 2008, he has made 13 appearances for this club.
