Karen Walker (footballer)
Encyclopedia
Karen Walker is an English former international football centre-forward. She played for Doncaster Belles for 17 years, starting at the age of 16, and began playing for England
as a teenager, making 83 appearances and scoring a record 40 goals until she retired from international football in 2003.
Walker is particularly remembered for her performances in the 1995 World Cup
in Sweden
, in attack, but also when needed as a left back. She finished her career playing for Leeds United, and in her very last game, against Arsenal
in the 2006 FA Cup Final
, she left the pitch to a standing ovation.
In 2007 she was part of the BBC
team covering the FIFA Women's World Cup
in China
. Later that year she was inducted into the English Football Hall of Fame.
finals, winning five of them. With the formation of the National Division in 1991, Walker scored 36 goals in 14 games to help Doncaster win the inaugural title.
debut as a teenager against an Italy
B team in the Mundialito
tournament. Scoring with her first kick of the ball inspired Walker to take her subsequent football career much more seriously.
England women's national football team
The England women's national football team represents England in international women's football. The side has been quite successful of late, qualifying for three World Cups, 1995, 2007 and 2011...
as a teenager, making 83 appearances and scoring a record 40 goals until she retired from international football in 2003.
Walker is particularly remembered for her performances in the 1995 World Cup
FIFA Women's World Cup 1995
The FIFA Women's World Cup 1995 was held in Sweden and won by Norway.-Venues:-Teams:As in the previous edition of the FIFA Women's World cup, held in 1991, 12 teams participated in the final tournament...
in Sweden
Sweden
Sweden , officially the Kingdom of Sweden , is a Nordic country on the Scandinavian Peninsula in Northern Europe. Sweden borders with Norway and Finland and is connected to Denmark by a bridge-tunnel across the Öresund....
, in attack, but also when needed as a left back. She finished her career playing for Leeds United, and in her very last game, against Arsenal
Arsenal L.F.C.
Arsenal Ladies Football Club are an English women's association football club affiliated with Arsenal F.C.. Founded in 1987, they are the most successful club in English women's football having won 34 major trophies to date; which are 12 FA Women's Premier League titles, 11 FA Women's Cups, ten...
in the 2006 FA Cup Final
FA Women's Cup
The Football Association Women’s Challenge Cup Competition, commonly referred to as the FA Women's Cup, is the top cup competition for women's football clubs in England – designed as an exact equivalent to the FA Cup created 99 years earlier...
, she left the pitch to a standing ovation.
In 2007 she was part of the BBC
BBC
The British Broadcasting Corporation is a British public service broadcaster. Its headquarters is at Broadcasting House in the City of Westminster, London. It is the largest broadcaster in the world, with about 23,000 staff...
team covering the FIFA Women's World Cup
FIFA Women's World Cup
The FIFA Women's World Cup is an international association football competition contested by the senior women's national teams of the members of Fédération Internationale de Football Association , the sport's global governing body. The championship has been awarded every four years since the...
in China
China
Chinese civilization may refer to:* China for more general discussion of the country.* Chinese culture* Greater China, the transnational community of ethnic Chinese.* History of China* Sinosphere, the area historically affected by Chinese culture...
. Later that year she was inducted into the English Football Hall of Fame.
Club career
Walker's neighbour, Karen Skillcorn, was already playing for Doncaster Belles and recruited Walker as a fifteen-year-old. After a period as a substitute, Walker became first choice when the club's regular centre-forward became pregnant. In a long career with the club she eventually played in 11 FA Women's CupFA Women's Cup
The Football Association Women’s Challenge Cup Competition, commonly referred to as the FA Women's Cup, is the top cup competition for women's football clubs in England – designed as an exact equivalent to the FA Cup created 99 years earlier...
finals, winning five of them. With the formation of the National Division in 1991, Walker scored 36 goals in 14 games to help Doncaster win the inaugural title.
International career
In July 1988, Walker made her EnglandEngland women's national football team
The England women's national football team represents England in international women's football. The side has been quite successful of late, qualifying for three World Cups, 1995, 2007 and 2011...
debut as a teenager against an Italy
Italy women's national football team
The Italy women's national football team represents Italy in international women's football. The team is controlled by the Italian Football Federation .- Performances in the World Cup :...
B team in the Mundialito
Mundialito (women)
The Mundialito , was a global invitational tournament for national teams in women's football . Held on four occasions in the northern region of Italy since 1984, it was one of the most prestigious women's football events, prior to the advent of the Women's World Cup and Women's Olympic Football.The...
tournament. Scoring with her first kick of the ball inspired Walker to take her subsequent football career much more seriously.