John William Walmsley (22 April 1903–1970) was an English professional association footballer who played predominantly as a wing half. Born in Accrington

Accrington

Accrington is a town in Lancashire, within the borough of Hyndburn. It lies about east of Blackburn, west of Burnley, north of Manchester city centre and is situated on the mostly culverted River Hyndburn...

, he initially played Sunday league football for St Paul's and Accrington St Peter's. Walmsley started his senior playing career in non-league football

Non-league football

Non-League football is football in England played at a level below that of the Premier League and The Football League. The term non-League was commonly used well before 1992 when the top football clubs in England all belonged to The Football League; all clubs who were not a part of The Football...

 with Bacup Borough

Bacup Borough F.C.

Bacup Borough F.C. are an English football club based at West View in Bacup, Lancashire. They currently play in the North West Counties League Premier Division and are full members of the Lancashire County Football Association. They play at the The Brian Boys West View Stadium...

 before joining Football League Third Division North

Football League Third Division North

The Third Division North of The Football League was a tier in the English association football league system from 1921 to 1958. It ran parallel to Third Division South with clubs elected to the League or relegated from a higher division allocated to one or the other according to geographical position...

 side Nelson

Nelson F.C.

Nelson F.C. are an English football club, based in Nelson, Lancashire. They are currently members of the North West Counties Football League Division One, who played their home matches at Victoria Park, Lomeshaye Way. They are full members of the Lancashire County Football Association.-Early years:...

 in 1921. He played just one match for Nelson, appearing at centre-half in the 2–4 defeat to Wrexham on 26 November 1921.

Walmsley left the club at the end of the 1921–22 season to join Barnoldswick Town

Barnoldswick Town F.C.

Barnoldswick Town F.C. are an English football club based in Barnoldswick, Lancashire. Town were formed in 2003 following the merger of existing clubs Barnoldswick United and Barnoldswick Park Rovers.The club currently run three sides, with the East Lancashire League Third XI using the former Park...

. After spending two years with Barnoldswick, he moved back into the Football League, signing for Accrington Stanley

Accrington Stanley F.C. (1891)

Accrington Stanley was an English football club based in Accrington, Lancashire. Established in 1891, the club played in the Football League between 1921 and 1962, when the club became only the second ever to resign from the League mid-season. The club went into liquidation in 1966...

 in the summer of 1924. He made nine league appearances for the side in his first season as the team finished 17th in the division. The following campaign, he played eight times in the league as Accrington achieved an 18th-placed finish. He left the club at the end of the 1925–26 season, and subsequently had spells with Barnoldswick Town, Great Harwood

Great Harwood F.C.

Great Harwood F.C. was an English football club based in Great Harwood, Lancashire. Their colours were red and white, and they played at the Showground.-History:The club was founded in the 1880s. In 1908 the joined Division Two of the Lancashire Combination...

 and Horwich RMI before moving into local amateur football in the early 1930s.