Born in Preston, Walton played professionally for Blackburn Rovers, and earned one cap for England in 1890.
[2] Like so many other players of his era, Walton graduated through local football (signed for Witton in 1883) to join the ranks (1884) of Blackburn Rovers at a time when the club was becoming the dominant force in the town.
He was an industrious inside-forward who earned himself a regular place in the endless round of friendly fixtures during the 1884–1885 season.
[3] Walton, playing as a forward, made his League debut at Leamington Road, then home of Blackburn Rovers, on 15 September 1888 in a match against Accrington.
He scored his debut League goal on 22 September 1888 in a match played at Leamington Road, against West Bromwich Albion.