Ray Walker

Raymond Walker (born 28 September 1963) is an English former professional footballer who played as a midfielder. He played 444 games for Port Vale in all competitions between 1986 and 1997, ensuring himself a place in the club's history. He was twice the club's player of the season. He was named on the PFA Team of the Year three times. He was promoted twice with the club and also played a part in the club's highest-ever post-war finish in the English Football League. With Aston Villa in the early '80s, he joined Port Vale in 1986, after a short loan spell in 1984. After eleven years at Vale Park, he went into non-League football with Leek Town and Newcastle Town.

Career Aston Villa Walker joined Aston Villa as an apprentice in July 1979 and turned professional in September 1981. He won the FA Youth Cup in 1980, when Villa defeated Manchester City 3–2. He found it impossible to break into the first-team at a club that had just won the 1982 European Cup final. He featured under both Tony Barton and Graham Turner, but never got an extended run in the team. He played 54 games in 1986–87, scoring five goals. He was voted Player of the Year by the club's supporters in 1987–88, These awards were handed to him for his performances during his 53-game season, with one of his seven goals coming from a long-range effort against Tottenham Hotspur in a celebrated FA Cup fourth round upset. He handed in a transfer request in June 1988, following rumours that the club had turned down an offer of £150,000 from Manchester City; his request was rejected – much to the disappointment of Stoke City manager Mick Mills.

Rudge claimed that Walker and Robbie Earle had one of the best-ever midfield partnerships at the Vale. The pair helped the club win promotion in 1988–89, both men being key players in the 1989 play-off final. Walker was also selected in the PFA Team of the Year for a second successive season, scoring six goals in 56 appearances. Despite this, he said, "Wait until next year. I had a bad season!" He helped the club to survive and prosper in the Second Division, and recovered from injury to post 47 appearances in 1989–90. He only scored one goal, though it came at a crucial time, helping the "Valiants" to record a 3–2 victory over top-flight Derby County at Pride Park in the FA Cup.

He was installed as the club's penalty-taker in 1990–91, and five of his seven goals came from the spot. His performances over his fifty games resulted in him being awarded the club's Player of the Year award once again in 1991, with only David Harris before him having been handed that honour twice. He was sidelined for five months with ligament damage in September 1991, and his absence during the 1991–92 was notable and was a factor in the club being relegated, with Vale finishing just five points from safety. He recovered to make 27 appearances throughout the season, his two goals coming from the spot. Walker was involved in the TNT Tournament win in the summer of 1992. Known by the nickname 'Razor'.

Later career After leaving Port Vale, Walker spent time as a player-coach with Conference new boys Leek Town, including a five-game spell as caretaker manager from 17 March 1998. He played a total of 45 games in the 1997–98 season. Later that year he became player-manager at North West Counties League side Newcastle Town, where he remained until leaving to join the Crewe Alexandra academy in 2001. The "Castle" finished fourth in Division One in 1998–99, second in 1999–2000 and ninth in 2000–01. They also reached the semi-finals of the FA Vase in 1999–2000. He boasted all the qualities of a top-flight midfielder, except pace. In May 2019, he was voted into the "Ultimate Port Vale XI" by members of the OneValeFan supporter website. In December 2025, supporters voted him onto the all-time Port Vale XI on the club's official website.

Post-retirement As of June 2011, Walker was working as Football in the Community Officer for Crewe Alexandra.

Career statistics

Honours Aston Villa Youth FA Youth Cup: 1979–80 Football League Second Division second-place promotion: 1993–94

Individual PFA Team of the Year: 1987–88 Third Division, 1988–89 Third Division, 1992–93 Second Division Port Vale Player of the Year: 1998–88, 1990–91 Port Vale F.C. Hall of Fame: inducted 2026 (inaugural)