It was with great sadness that Salford Red Devils learned of the passing, on 7th May, of their former hooker Peter Walker.
Born in Hull on the 9th August1946, Peter joined Salford in September 1972, having turned professional with Hull KR, in 1963, before going on to play first for York, and then Bradford Northern. His debut at The Willows came on 29th September 1972 for a home game against Huyton.
His time here coincided with some of the greatest post-war honours the club was to achieve, and it was whilst playing at Salford that he achieved all the honours he gained as a professional.
These started in his very first season, within months of arriving, with the lifting of the Lancashire Cup, after beating Swinton 25-11, and they returned to the final, the following season when Wigan were the 19-9 victors.
Undoubtedly, the greatest achievement for both Peter and the club was their winning of the First Division Championship, in 1973/4, his second season here. As hooker, he played a big part in this, ensuring a good supply of the ball from the scrum, whilst, in the loose, being a fine handler of the ball and also possessing a surprising turn of pace for someone in his position.
That same year, having missed the initial 0-0 drawn Final, at The Willows, he played in the replay against Warrington, at Wilderspool, which saw Salford win the BBC2 Floodlit Cup, after winning 10-5.
Unfortunately, he suffered a series of setbacks through injury, which limited his appearances to 74, two of which were from the bench, as replacements. Tragically, in the very first league game of the 1975/6 season, 15th August, he suffered an extremely bad leg break, which prevented him from playing any further games, that season.
Although, at one point, he had had aspirations to resume his career the following year, he, instead, made the decision to retire, in order to avoid any further injuries.
Our thoughts and condolences go out to his family at this very sad time.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
Graham Morris – Club Historian
