Carmaine Walker

Carmaine Walker (born 5 November 1979) is a former English footballer, who represented England women's national football team. A tall and powerful striker, Walker won the FA Women's Cup once and the Premier League twice with home town club Croydon.

Carmaine Walker
Personal information
Date of birth (1979-11-05) 5 November 1979[1]
Place of birth South London, England
Height 5 ft 11 in (1.80 m)
Position(s) Striker
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
1985–1995 Crystal Palace
1996–1998 St Georges
1998–2000 Croydon Women
2000–2006 Charlton Athletic Ladies
2008–2009 Millwall Lionesses
National team
2003–2004 England 6 (0)
* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only

Club career

Walker began her football career with a decade at Crystal Palace. She moved to St Georges in 1996 and hit 63 goals in 84 games across all competitions.[2]

After joining Croydon in 1998, Walker won the Premier League twice and the FA Women's Cup once, before Croydon came under the auspices of Charlton Athletic in 2000. Walker headed the opening goal in Croydon's 2–1 FA Women's Cup final win over Doncaster Belles in 2000.[3] She remained with Charlton and played in successive FA Women's Cup final defeats in 2003 and 2004. A long-term injury had kept Walker out of action for most of the 2001–02 season.[4]

In March 2004 Walker scored twice and missed a penalty as Charlton ended Fulham's two-year unbeaten league run. Charlton manager Keith Boanas said, "She used to have disciplinary problems, always late for training. But I've instilled belief in her that she could be an England player."[5]

Walker made a brief comeback with Millwall Lionesses in August 2008, scoring a penalty in a 2–1 debut win over Ipswich Town.[6]

International career

Walker was first called up by the senior England team in January 2003, for the annual training camp at La Manga Club.[7] Her first cap came the following month, replacing namesake Karen Walker during a 1–0 defeat to Italy in Viareggio.[8]

In May 2003 Walker made two further appearances during England's ill-fated tour of North America, starting two 4–0 defeats to Canada after sitting out a 6–0 humbling by United States. She also featured in friendlies against Australia and Germany later that year.

In September 2003 an on-pitch altercation with Doncaster Belles' former Charlton Athletic player Carly Hunt saw a red card for Walker.[9] Days later the incident spilled over into an England training session, resulting in lengthy bans for twins Carly and Gemma Hunt, as well as Walker and her Charlton teammate Eartha Pond.[10]

Walker was recalled to the National squad after serving the suspension.[1] Her sixth and final appearance for England came as a half time substitute for club mate Amanda Barr in a 1–0 friendly win over Iceland in May 2004.

References
  1. "England women Fixtures and Results, 2004/05". Cresswell Wanderers FC. Retrieved 11 October 2010.
  2. "Carmaine Walker". Inside Tips Sports Management. Archived from the original on 24 March 2012. Retrieved 7 June 2011.
  3. Sarah Hughes (2 May 2000). "Hunt keeps Croydon on double track". The Guardian. Retrieved 2 January 2011.
  4. "Carmaine Walker". BBC. 26 April 2003. Retrieved 7 June 2011.
  5. Paula Cocozza (8 March 2004). "Women's Football". The Guardian. Retrieved 20 August 2011.
  6. "Flying Start". Millwall FC. 23 August 2008. Archived from the original on 8 September 2012. Retrieved 7 June 2011.
  7. "Hope for the new generation". TheFA.com. 3 January 2003. Archived from the original on 5 May 2012. Retrieved 7 June 2011.
  8. "Young England beaten by Italy". TheFA.com. 25 February 2003. Retrieved 12 March 2011.
  9. "Women Behaving Badly". The Electric Press. 20 October 2003. Archived from the original on 10 March 2012. Retrieved 7 June 2011.
  10. "Quartet suspended". theFA.com. 1 March 2004. Retrieved 30 May 2010.
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