Bradford City goalkeeper Sam Walker loves playing for club

The Bantams are desperate to right the wrongs of Fleetwood as they hit the road again this weekend to Colchester.

It is a reunion for former U’s keeper Walker, who made his City debut at his old club 10 months ago.

Walker has featured in every league game since – his best run since ending a four-and-a-half year stay with Colchester in 2018.

The 33-year-old has made the City position his own after succeeding Harry Lewis, who was recently dropped at Carlisle after a troubled time since his move.

“When this came up in January, I’ve not looked back since,” said Walker. “I’ve loved it and long may it continue.

Sam Walker made his City debut at Colchester in January (Image: Colchester Gazette)

“At the time there was obviously a big emotion linked to the changeover with Harry moving and there was a lot of sentiment there.

“I took it upon myself to come in and be my own man and show what I’m about. Thankfully I got up and running fairly quickly and we had a positive end to the season.

“I’m probably enjoying my football up here more than I have in my whole career.

“I love playing for the club and representing this team. We’ve got a great group of lads this year so positive about what we could do and what the next few months could bring for us as a club and the fans.”

Walker had been on City’s radar since leaving Kilmarnock in the summer of 2023. At that time, he was focusing on family matters while his daughter was receiving medical treatment.

“I came off the back of a good season in Scotland with Kilmarnock. I was pleased with how I performed that year.

“My family moved back to England about six months before I did. It was important for me to come home.

“There was a time last summer when my daughter needed some attention with her health. It was important for me to come away from it completely and be there for her and for our family.

“She’s well now and everything’s great but that was in that period.

“It forced me to have a reset and go back into it in the August when I did some work with Chelsea and kept myself sharp and ticking over.”

Walker had begun his pro career coming up through the ranks at Stamford Bridge.

He never made a senior appearance for the Premier League giants but has maintained close links with those who he worked with.

And they were happy to oblige with his request to come back and train with the club’s academy prospects while he waited for his next opportunity.

Walker was just as willing to pass on his knowledge to Chelsea’s next generation of young keepers.

He added: “Chelsea are fantastic with that sort of thing and I’ve still got a lot of contacts with the staff there.

“With the club and academy they are, they’re very good at what they do so the staff retention is very high.

Harry Lewis has had a tough time since leaving City for Carlisle (Image: Tom Pearson)

“A lot of the guys were still there. Neil Bath, the academy manager, was still there although I think he’s just left very recently and Jim Fraser.

“A lot of the goalkeeping coaches were very similar as well. They really appreciated me going in there.

“We did a few different presentations with the goalkeepers on my career and the experiences that I’ve had. Working with those young guys was good for me and them.

“These young guys now are so technically advanced from what I remember being as a 17 or 18-year-old. Some of the things they can do are fantastic.

“It’s just about getting that experience of games into them.

“It was good for me to go in there and see what they’re about but also for them to pick my brains.”

Charlton spotted his availability this time last year to recruit Walker on a short-term deal, making three appearances in the FA Cup and EFL Trophy, before City came calling in the mid-season transfer window.

“I always backed my ability at this level and the one above,” said Walker. “That’s where I’ve operated most of my career and played a lot of games.

“I still feel fit at 33. I don’t feel old by any means for a goalkeeper.

“I’ve got a constant, daily inspiration with big Doyler (Colin Doyle) still churning out training every day and playing the games. He’s doing that at 39 so I’ve got no excuse to start moaning about things like that.”