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He has been referred to as the first black player to sign for [[Rangers F.C.|Rangers]]. However, [[Walter Tull]] signed for Rangers during the First World War but was killed in the conflict before he could play. |
He has been referred to as the first black player to sign for [[Rangers F.C.|Rangers]]. However, [[Walter Tull]] signed for Rangers during the First World War but was killed in the conflict before he could play. |
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Walters made his Rangers debut on 2 January 1988 in the [[Old Firm]] derby match with [[Glasgow Celtic F.C.|Celtic]] at [[Parkhead]], a game which Rangers lost 2–0. Following racist abuse aimed at Walters, Rangers banned some of their own season ticket holders.<ref>{{cite web| first=| last=| author= Sir Norman Chester Centre for Football Research | url=http://www.le.ac.uk/snccfr/resources/factsheets/fs4.html | title=Black Footballers in Britain - The Late 1980s and After - A 'New Era'? | publisher=[[University of Leicester]]| month= June | year= 2002 | accessdate=6 July 2008}}</ref> <ref>{{cite news| url=http://observer.guardian.co.uk/osm/story/0,,1496650,00.html | work=The Guardian | location=London | title=Letters | accessdate=12 May 2010}}</ref> A large amount of abuse came from Celtic fans during the player's debut at Celtic Park, with bananas being thrown and monkey noises coming from the Celtic fans' main area of the stadium known as "The Jungle". Some Celtic fans also dressed up in fancy dress monkey suits. Meanwhile, during the same game, ''in defence of Walters, Rangers' fans, with an unconscious racism, sang "I'd rather be a darkie than a Tim (Scots-Irish catholic)".''<ref>{{cite book |last1=Smith| first1=Adrian | last2=Porter| first2=Dilwyn | year=2004| title=Sport and national identity in the post-war world| url=http://books.google.com/books?id=yZfYh7n2qTMC&printsec=frontcover&dq=Sport+and+National+Identity+in+the+Post-War+World#v=onepage&q=darkie&f=false |page=83| accessdate=14 October 2009|isbn=0415283000}}</ref> Although Celtic slammed the perpetrators, the Scottish Football Association remained silent. <ref>{{cite web| first=| last=| author= Andrew Smith - The Scotsman | url= http://news.scotsman.com/tacklingracisminscotland/A-black-day-for-Scots.3628273.jp | title=A Black Day For Scottish Football | publisher=[[The Scotsman]]| month= December | year= 2007 | accessdate=6 July 2008}}</ref> |
Walters made his Rangers debut on 2 January 1988 in the [[Old Firm]] derby match with [[Glasgow Celtic F.C.|Celtic]] at [[Parkhead]], a game which Rangers lost 2–0. Following racist abuse aimed at Walters, Rangers banned some of their own season ticket holders.<ref>{{cite web| first=| last=| author= Sir Norman Chester Centre for Football Research | url=http://www.le.ac.uk/snccfr/resources/factsheets/fs4.html | title=Black Footballers in Britain - The Late 1980s and After - A 'New Era'? | publisher=[[University of Leicester]]| month= June | year= 2002 | accessdate=6 July 2008}}</ref> <ref>{{cite news| url=http://observer.guardian.co.uk/osm/story/0,,1496650,00.html | work=The Guardian | location=London | title=Letters | accessdate=12 May 2010}}</ref> A large amount of abuse came from Celtic fans during the player's debut at Celtic Park, with bananas being thrown and monkey noises coming from the Celtic fans' main area of the stadium known as "The Jungle". Some Celtic fans also dressed up in fancy dress monkey suits. Meanwhile, during the same game, ''in defence of Walters, Rangers' fans, with an unconscious racism, sang "I'd rather be a darkie than a Tim (Scots-Irish catholic)".''<ref>{{cite book |last1=Smith| first1=Adrian | last2=Porter| first2=Dilwyn | year=2004| title=Sport and national identity in the post-war world| url=http://books.google.com/books?id=yZfYh7n2qTMC&printsec=frontcover&dq=Sport+and+National+Identity+in+the+Post-War+World#v=onepage&q=darkie&f=false |page=83| accessdate=14 October 2009|isbn=0415283000}}</ref> Although Celtic slammed the perpetrators, the Scottish Football Association remained silent. <ref>{{cite web| first=| last=| author= Andrew Smith - The Scotsman | url= http://news.scotsman.com/tacklingracisminscotland/A-black-day-for-Scots.3628273.jp | title=A Black Day For Scottish Football | publisher=[[The Scotsman]]| month= December | year= 2007 | accessdate=6 July 2008}}</ref> Walters himself later stated that the worst racism he encountered in [[Scotland]] was at [[Heart of Midlothian F.C.]]'s [[Tynecastle]].<ref>{{cite web| first=| last=| author= ANGUS WRIGHT and MICHAEL BUTCHER | url= http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_7951/is_1999_Dec_9/ai_n32658087/ | title=Racism returns to haunt Scottish game once more | publisher=[[The Scotsman]]| month= December | year= 1999 | accessdate=6 July 2008}}</ref> |
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Whilst at [[Ibrox Stadium|Ibrox]], Walters was part of the side that won the [[Scottish Premier League]] in [[1988-89 in Scottish football#Scottish Premier Division|1989]], [[1989-90 in Scottish football#Scottish Premier Division|1990]] and [[1990-91 in Scottish football#Scottish Premier Division|1991]] and the [[Scottish League Cup]] in 1988 and 1990 thus enjoying the most successful spell of his career in terms of trophies won. |
Whilst at [[Ibrox Stadium|Ibrox]], Walters was part of the side that won the [[Scottish Premier League]] in [[1988-89 in Scottish football#Scottish Premier Division|1989]], [[1989-90 in Scottish football#Scottish Premier Division|1990]] and [[1990-91 in Scottish football#Scottish Premier Division|1991]] and the [[Scottish League Cup]] in 1988 and 1990 thus enjoying the most successful spell of his career in terms of trophies won. |
Revision as of 18:42, 9 July 2010
Personal information | |||
---|---|---|---|
Full name | Mark Everton Walters | ||
Height | 5 ft 10 in (1.78 m) | ||
Position(s) | Midfielder/Winger | ||
Senior career* | |||
Years | Team | Apps | (Gls) |
1981–1987 | Aston Villa | 181 | (32) |
1987–1991 | Rangers | 106 | (32) |
1991–1996 | Liverpool | 94 | (14) |
1993–1994 | → Stoke City (loan) | 9 | (2) |
1994–1995 | → Wolves (loan) | 11 | (3) |
1996 | Southampton | 5 | (0) |
1996–1999 | Swindon Town | 115 | (27) |
1999–2002 | Bristol Rovers | 82 | (13) |
Total | 603 | (123) | |
International career | |||
1983–1986 | England U21 | 9 | (1) |
1991 | England | 1 | (0) |
1991 | England B | 1 | (0) |
*Club domestic league appearances and goals |
Mark Everton Walters[1] (born 2 June 1964) is a retired professional footballer from Birmingham, England.
Club career
Aston Villa
Walters began his career as an apprentice at Aston Villa, after signing professional forms he quickly showed why Ron Saunders signed him by making his debut under new manager Tony Barton on 28 April 1982 at the tender age of 17 in the 4–1 league defeat to Leeds United at Villa Park.
Walters appeared 234 times and scored 48 goals in the 5 years he spent at his boyhood favourites [citation needed] before an offer of £550,000 from Scottish side Rangers tempted Walters into a move north of the border.
Rangers
Due to English clubs being banned from European competition, teams such as Rangers, who were managed by former Anfield great Graeme Souness, were finding it easier to attract English players and sign internationals such as Terry Butcher, Trevor Steven, Gary Stevens, Chris Woods and Ray Wilkins with Walters becoming one of these players on New Years Eve 1987.
He has been referred to as the first black player to sign for Rangers. However, Walter Tull signed for Rangers during the First World War but was killed in the conflict before he could play.
Walters made his Rangers debut on 2 January 1988 in the Old Firm derby match with Celtic at Parkhead, a game which Rangers lost 2–0. Following racist abuse aimed at Walters, Rangers banned some of their own season ticket holders.[2] [3] A large amount of abuse came from Celtic fans during the player's debut at Celtic Park, with bananas being thrown and monkey noises coming from the Celtic fans' main area of the stadium known as "The Jungle". Some Celtic fans also dressed up in fancy dress monkey suits. Meanwhile, during the same game, in defence of Walters, Rangers' fans, with an unconscious racism, sang "I'd rather be a darkie than a Tim (Scots-Irish catholic)".[4] Although Celtic slammed the perpetrators, the Scottish Football Association remained silent. [5] Walters himself later stated that the worst racism he encountered in Scotland was at Heart of Midlothian F.C.'s Tynecastle.[6]
Whilst at Ibrox, Walters was part of the side that won the Scottish Premier League in 1989, 1990 and 1991 and the Scottish League Cup in 1988 and 1990 thus enjoying the most successful spell of his career in terms of trophies won.
On 13 August 1991, after 143 appearances in which he scored 51 goals (better than one in three), he followed Souness to Liverpool, which was somewhat ironic seeing as his middle name is Everton, Liverpool's fierce city rivals.
Liverpool
Liverpool paid £1.25 million for Walters services and he made his debut four days after signing, when he came on as a 65th minute substitute for Steve McMahon in a 2–1 league win over Oldham Athletic at Anfield on 17 August 1991. His first goal for the club was an 88th minute penalty in a 2–1 league win over Notts County at Meadow Lane on 7 September 1991.
Souness brought Walters back to England hoping that he would terrorize the 1st Division defences as he had done in Scotland, however, this failed to materialize with the performances expected coming too infrequently.
His best display all season was in a match against Auxerre at Anfield in the Uefa Cup. Liverpool trailed 2-0 from the away leg but won their home match 3-0 with Walters netting a late winner after tormenting the French defence all night long.
He remained a regular in the side and helped Liverpool to the 1992 FA Cup Final, although he was an unused substitute as his team-mates beat 2nd Division Sunderland 2–0.
Walters was Liverpool's first ever Premiership goalscorer when he equalized in a 2-1 win over Sheffield United in August 1992. That same season he was also the first Liverpool player to score a Premiership hat-trick in a 4-0 win over Coventry City.
He lost his regular place in central midfield to youngster Jamie Redknapp in the 1993-94 season and never regained it, though he would remain at the club for another two years as a squad player.
When Liverpool beat Bolton Wanderers 2–1 in the 1995 Coca-Cola Cup final, again an unused substitute, Walters was being used less as Roy Evans was employing three centre-halves with Rob Jones and Stig Inge Bjørnebye as wing-backs and three midfielders.
He had already been sent out on loan to Stoke City (9 games, 2 goals) and Wolverhampton Wanderers (11 games, 3 goals) during the 1993–94 and 1994–95 seasons, and thus it was not surprising that, after not appearing at all during the first half of the 1995–96 season, Walters was allowed to leave, joining Southampton on 18 January 1996.
Southampton
Walters was signed by David Merrington in January 1996 to assist in the Saints' desperate fight against relegation from the Premiership. He made his debut as a substitute against Middlesbrough on 20 January 1996 and made a total of five league and four FA Cup appearances, but struggled to make any real impression with such a poor team. His final appearance was in a dreadful match away to Queens Park Rangers, which Saints lost 3–0 meekly surrendering in a shoddy second half.[1] At the end of the season, with Saints' Premiership status secured for another season, Walters was released, moving on to Swindon Town.
Swindon Town
Walters joined Swindon Town on a free on 31 July 1996 and made his debut on 17 August in the 2-0 defeat to Norwich City at Carrow Road. His first goal for the Robins came via a 26th minute penalty during the 2-1 league win over Tranmere Rovers on 14 September 1996.
At the County Ground, Walters was "sometimes brilliant, but at other times could be very frustrating"[7]. He never really featured in manager Jimmy Quinn's plans, and was eventually released to Bristol Rovers on a free transfer during the administration period, when it was decided Town could no longer afford his wages.[7]
Walters played a total of 126 matches for Swindon in which he scored 28 goals before he was released on 17 November 1999.[7]
Bristol Rovers
Having been told that he was no longer required by Swindon the 35 year-old joined Ian Holloway's Bristol Rovers side on a free transfer. He spent three years at the Memorial Stadium playing 96 times and scoring 14 goals before he finally hung up his boots on 26 April 2002, five weeks before his 38th birthday.
England career
Walters represented England at schoolboy and under 21 levels before he earning his only full cap under Graham Taylor whilst he was with Rangers. It came on 3 June 1991 in the 1-0 friendly victory over New Zealand in Auckland.[8]
Retirement
Walters joined Coventry Preparatory School as a Saturday morning football coach for the four- to 11 year–olds in February 2003; he then became a member of staff in January 2006, coaching years three to eight and is also head coach of the under-14s at Aston Villa's academy. Walters is also heavily involved with groups aiming to eliminate racism in football. Walters went back to school and obtained teaching qualifications. He is Head of Languages at Aston Villa's academy. His close friend Torben Piechnik teaches science.
Although now retired, Walters still plays in the Sky Sports masters football competitions for Rangers. He is also one of three honorary members of the Rangers Supporters Trust, along with Johnny Hubbard and Billy Simpson.[9]
Career honours
Aston Villa
Winner
- 1980 FA Youth Cup
- 1982 European Super Cup
Runner up
- 1987-88 Football League Second Division Promotion (Level 2)
Rangers
Winner
- 1989 Scottish League Cup
- 1988-89 Scottish Premier League (Level 1)
- 1989-90 Scottish Premier League (Level 1)
- 1991 Scottish League Cup
- 1990-91 Scottish Premier League (Level 1)
Runner up
- 1989 Scottish Cup
- 1990 Scottish League Cup
Liverpool
Winner
- 1992 FA Cup
- 1995 League Cup
Runner up
- 1992 Charity Shield
References
- ^ a b Duncan Holley & Gary Chalk (2003). In That Number - A post-war chronicle of Southampton FC. Hagiology. pp. 243 & 594. ISBN 0-9534474-3-X.
- ^ Sir Norman Chester Centre for Football Research (2002). "Black Footballers in Britain - The Late 1980s and After - A 'New Era'?". University of Leicester. Retrieved 6 July 2008.
{{cite web}}
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ignored (help) - ^ "Letters". The Guardian. London. Retrieved 12 May 2010.
- ^ Smith, Adrian; Porter, Dilwyn (2004). Sport and national identity in the post-war world. p. 83. ISBN 0415283000. Retrieved 14 October 2009.
- ^ Andrew Smith - The Scotsman (2007). "A Black Day For Scottish Football". The Scotsman. Retrieved 6 July 2008.
{{cite web}}
: Unknown parameter|month=
ignored (help) - ^ ANGUS WRIGHT and MICHAEL BUTCHER (1999). "Racism returns to haunt Scottish game once more". The Scotsman. Retrieved 6 July 2008.
{{cite web}}
: Unknown parameter|month=
ignored (help) - ^ a b c "Swindon Town player profile: Mark Walters". Swindon Town F.C. Retrieved 19 September 2009.
- ^ "New Zealand 0 - England 1; 3 June 1991 (Match summary)". www.englandstats.com. Retrieved 2008-07-06.
- ^ "Rangers Supporters Trust - April 2003". Rangers Supporters Trust website.