After moving from his school team to Little Lever United of the Bolton and District League, Walker signed as an amateur for Southport.

[3] Competing with Bob Haworth and Alex Finney, Walker found his chances limited and moved to Third Division North side Barrow the following year.

[3] After 72 games and 11 goals for Barrow, Walker was picked up by London club West Ham United, who had just been relegated to the Second Division.

[4] Walker left in 1938 to join Doncaster Rovers along with Fred Dell in an exchange which took Arthur Banner down south.

[5] He spent World War II with the National Fire Service, and continued playing for Doncaster in the Wartime Leagues and cup competitions, making at least 81 appearances during that time, still without scoring.