The Banstead Image Library
Len Walker, Banstead Athletic footballer
When we uploaded this image of an unknown local footballer back in 2010, we didn’t know who he was, because the photograph offered no clues. But it wasn’t long before we received positive identifications – and we now know that he was Len Walker, a central defender for Banstead Athletic FC in the 1940s and ’50s. We later heard that he died in December 2015.
We've estimated the date of the photograph as 1948 - give or take a year or two.
Picture added on 10 January 2010 at 13:24
This picture is in the following groups
Football
Football
Len Walker is the name that springs to my mind.
Added by Graham Firth on 16 September 2010
Hello, I am the programme editor/webmaster/press reporter for Banstead Athletic FC. The above picture is definitely Len Walker. I met him when his relations got in touch with the club a couple of years ago and wanted to visit us at the Merland Rise ground.
It was a memorable day. I presented him with our football club shirt with his name and playing number on the back which he was honoured to accept. I was surprised when he put it on and went out onto the pitch and starting kicking a football around, as by then he was in his eighties. I also managed before they passed away to get Jon Jackson (our goalkeeper) and Rob Warner from the first Banstead team (Banstead Juniors) to visit us.
The Surrey Mirror did a piece on Jon when he died, as he was a huge Crystal Palace supporter along with his grandson. They also received shirts from me. I must say I was humbled to have been in their presence and to be part of a piece of our football club history. I have also met Norman Dearlove who was a part of the team in the 1958-1960 seasons. I wrote an article on him for our football programme about his career in football after speaking with him.
As a team we are currently in the Combined Counties First Division, trying to find our feet again. We will hopefully rise again in the seasons to come.
It was a memorable day. I presented him with our football club shirt with his name and playing number on the back which he was honoured to accept. I was surprised when he put it on and went out onto the pitch and starting kicking a football around, as by then he was in his eighties. I also managed before they passed away to get Jon Jackson (our goalkeeper) and Rob Warner from the first Banstead team (Banstead Juniors) to visit us.
The Surrey Mirror did a piece on Jon when he died, as he was a huge Crystal Palace supporter along with his grandson. They also received shirts from me. I must say I was humbled to have been in their presence and to be part of a piece of our football club history. I have also met Norman Dearlove who was a part of the team in the 1958-1960 seasons. I wrote an article on him for our football programme about his career in football after speaking with him.
As a team we are currently in the Combined Counties First Division, trying to find our feet again. We will hopefully rise again in the seasons to come.
Added by Bob Lockyer on 04 January 2014
I knew and played with Len Walker in those years, also Harry Clarke, Denny Wall, Sid Argent.
They were great times.
They were great times.
Added by John Watson on 04 August 2020
Hello John, For some reason the message you put on the Banstead Image web page in 2020 has only just been sent to me. I would like to know more about playing career. I don't produce a paper version of our matchday programme now, but I do still have the website for promoting the matches. Would you please get in touch with the football club with your phone number. It would be good to talk to you. Thank you. Regards Bob Lockyer
Added by Bob on 19 March 2023
Banstead
