Simon Walton
Encyclopedia
Simon William Walton is an English professional footballer who plays for Plymouth Argyle
.
. He came to attention after being sent off in a pre-season friendly against Valencia
in 2004, whilst still just sixteen. He was likened to former Elland Road
heroes Alan Smith and David Batty
, with whom he shares tenacity and "Leeds blood" in his veins. He made his competitive debut on 7 August 2004 against Derby County
, and went on to score three goals in the 2004–05 season
, Leeds' first in the Championship
. Walton struggled to break into the first team during the 2005–06
season with his only appearances coming after injuries to Sean Gregan
, Shaun Derry
, Jonathan Douglas
and Gylfi Einarsson
.
for an initial fee of £500,000, with clauses that could create a total £1m fee. He quickly moved on loan to get some regular first-team football, moving to Ipswich Town
three games into the Championship season on 18 August 2006. Walton scored several important goals for Ipswich before being loaned to another Championship side, Cardiff City
, in January 2007. When playing for Cardiff, he was sent off against former club Leeds for two bookable offences.
on 27 July 2007 in a £200,000 deal, having never played a competitive game for Charlton. Shortly afterwards, he broke his leg in a friendly against Fulham
.
On 29 January 2008 Walton moved to Championship play-off hopefuls Hull City
on loan for the remainder of the 2007–08
season.
, on a four-year deal. Walton's transfer is a club record fee, estimated to be around £750,000. This record fee was dependant on a number of factors, including appearances, and as such the full fee is yet to be paid, and is unlikely to be. On 16 August 2008, Walton played for Plymouth Argyle against Reading, in a game which Plymouth lost 2–0 at the Madejski Stadium.
On 22 December 2008 Walton was placed on the transfer list by Paul Sturrock after being sent off in a league match against Barnsley. Sturrock questioned Walton's attitude and temperament after some abject performances, and rash decisions by the player. On 26 March 2009 he joined Blackpool
on loan until the end of the season. He made his debut on 11 April as a 74th-minute substitute in Blackpool's 1–0 West Lancashire Derby
win over Preston North End
at Deepdale
.
On 31 August 2009 he joined Crewe Alexandra
on loan for the 2009–10 season.
Walton joined Sheffield United
on a season-long loan in July 2010. However, he suffered cruciate knee ligament damage during his first outing for the club in a pre-season friendly which proved to be a long-term injury. Following a recovery period at Bramall Lane his parent club, Plymouth Argyle, agreed to terminate his loan and recall him at the start of September.
On 5 April 2011, Walton made his first appearance for nine months against Leyton Orient.
After the club appointed Carl Fletcher
as caretaker manager the captaincy was handed to Walton who has become one of the senior players in the young squad. Walton went to scored goals in a penalty spot against Accrington Stanley
in a 2-2 draw, Dagenham & Redbridge
in a 3-2 win, Oxford United
in a 5-1 loss, Morecambe
in a 1-1 draw but not in a penalty and Northampton Town
in a 4-1 win.
Nicola Tappenden
. Tappenden gave birth to their first child in November 2008, a baby girl named Poppy. Tappenden appeared in the 2010 edition of Celebrity Big Brother
in the United Kingdom.
Walton's younger sister, Sophie, played for Leeds United Ladies until signing for Lincoln Ladies in 2010.
Plymouth Argyle F.C.
Plymouth Argyle Football Club is an English professional football club, based in Plymouth, Devon, that plays in Football League Two.Since becoming professional in 1903, the club has won five Football League titles, five Southern League titles and one Western League title. The 2009–10 season was the...
.
Leeds United
Walton started his career at hometown club Leeds UnitedLeeds United A.F.C.
Leeds United Association Football Club are an English professional association football club based in Beeston, Leeds, West Yorkshire, who play in the Football League Championship, the second tier of the English football league system...
. He came to attention after being sent off in a pre-season friendly against Valencia
Valencia CF
Valencia Club de Fútbol is a Spanish football club based in Valencia, Spain. They play in La Liga and are one of the most successful and biggest clubs in Spanish Football and European Football. Valencia have won six La Liga titles, seven Copa del Rey trophies, two Fairs Cups which was the...
in 2004, whilst still just sixteen. He was likened to former Elland Road
Elland Road
Elland Road is an all-seater football stadium in Beeston, Leeds, West Yorkshire, England. It has been the permanent residence of Leeds United A.F.C...
heroes Alan Smith and David Batty
David Batty
David Batty is an English retired professional footballer, who played as a defensive midfielder....
, with whom he shares tenacity and "Leeds blood" in his veins. He made his competitive debut on 7 August 2004 against Derby County
Derby County F.C.
Derby County Football Club is an English football based in Derby. the club play in the Football League Championship and is notable as being one of the twelve founder members of the Football League in 1888 and is, therefore, one of only ten clubs to have competed in every season of the English...
, and went on to score three goals in the 2004–05 season
2004-05 in English football
The 2004–05 season was the 125th season of competitive football in England.-Overview:*2004–05 was the first season to feature the rebranded Football League. The First Division, Second Division and Third Division were renamed the Football League Championship, Football League One and Football League...
, Leeds' first in the Championship
Football League Championship
The Football League Championship is the highest division of The Football League and second-highest division overall in the English football league system after the Premier League...
. Walton struggled to break into the first team during the 2005–06
2005-06 in English football
The 2005–06 season was the 126th season of competitive football in England.-Overview:*The rebuilt Wembley Stadium was due to open in time for the FA Cup final in May. However, in August 2005, The Football Association reserved the Millennium Stadium as a backup, as there was some doubt whether...
season with his only appearances coming after injuries to Sean Gregan
Sean Gregan
Sean Matthew Gregan is an English professional footballer. A defender, he has played in all of the top four leagues in England.- Early career :...
, Shaun Derry
Shaun Derry
Shaun Peter Derry is an English footballer who plays for Queens Park Rangers. Derry is known for his hard-tackling and aggressive midfield style...
, Jonathan Douglas
Jonathan Douglas
Jonathan Douglas is an Irish football player who currently plays for Brentford. Douglas made his debut in the League of Ireland for Monaghan United aged 16...
and Gylfi Einarsson
Gylfi Einarsson
Gylfi Einarsson is an Icelandic football midfielder.-Club career:He started his career at Fylkir but moved to Norwegian club Lillestrøm SK in 2000. In the 2004 season he scored 13 goals in 26 matches. When his contract expired, he was snapped up by Leeds United, who had to wait until January 2005...
.
Charlton Athletic
In July 2006 he joined Premier League side Charlton AthleticCharlton Athletic F.C.
Charlton Athletic Football Club is an English professional football club based in Charlton, in the London Borough of Greenwich. They compete in Football League One, the third tier of English football. The club was founded on 9 June 1905, when a number of youth clubs in the southeast London area,...
for an initial fee of £500,000, with clauses that could create a total £1m fee. He quickly moved on loan to get some regular first-team football, moving to Ipswich Town
Ipswich Town F.C.
Ipswich Town Football Club are an English professional football team based in Ipswich, Suffolk. As of 2011, they play in the Football League Championship, having last appeared in the Premier League in 2001–02....
three games into the Championship season on 18 August 2006. Walton scored several important goals for Ipswich before being loaned to another Championship side, Cardiff City
Cardiff City F.C.
Cardiff City Football Club are a Welsh professional football club based in Cardiff, Wales. The club competes in the English football pyramid and is currently playing in the Football League Championship. Cardiff City is the best supported football club in Wales, averaging approximately 22,500 for...
, in January 2007. When playing for Cardiff, he was sent off against former club Leeds for two bookable offences.
Queens Park Rangers
Walton joined Championship side Queens Park RangersQueens Park Rangers F.C.
Queens Park Rangers Football Club is an English professional football club, based in White City, Hammersmith and Fulham, west London. As the 2010-11 Football League Championship champions, they now play in the top tier of English football the Premier League, for the first time in 15 years...
on 27 July 2007 in a £200,000 deal, having never played a competitive game for Charlton. Shortly afterwards, he broke his leg in a friendly against Fulham
Fulham F.C.
Fulham Football Club is a professional English Premier League club based in southwest London Fulham, in the London Borough of Hammersmith and Fulham. Founded in 1879, they play in the Premier League, their 11th current season...
.
On 29 January 2008 Walton moved to Championship play-off hopefuls Hull City
Hull City A.F.C.
Hull City Association Football Club is an English association football club based in Kingston upon Hull, East Riding of Yorkshire, founded in 1904. The club participates in the Football League Championship, the second tier of English football...
on loan for the remainder of the 2007–08
2007-08 in English football
The 2007–08 season was the 128th season of competitive football in England.-European competitions:In October 2007 Arsenal equalled the UEFA Champions League record victory with a 7–0 win over Slavia Prague at the Emirates Stadium. The record was broken the following month when Liverpool...
season.
Plymouth Argyle
On 6 August 2008, Walton signed for Plymouth ArgylePlymouth Argyle F.C.
Plymouth Argyle Football Club is an English professional football club, based in Plymouth, Devon, that plays in Football League Two.Since becoming professional in 1903, the club has won five Football League titles, five Southern League titles and one Western League title. The 2009–10 season was the...
, on a four-year deal. Walton's transfer is a club record fee, estimated to be around £750,000. This record fee was dependant on a number of factors, including appearances, and as such the full fee is yet to be paid, and is unlikely to be. On 16 August 2008, Walton played for Plymouth Argyle against Reading, in a game which Plymouth lost 2–0 at the Madejski Stadium.
On 22 December 2008 Walton was placed on the transfer list by Paul Sturrock after being sent off in a league match against Barnsley. Sturrock questioned Walton's attitude and temperament after some abject performances, and rash decisions by the player. On 26 March 2009 he joined Blackpool
Blackpool F.C.
Blackpool Football Club are an English football club founded in 1887 from the Lancashire seaside town of Blackpool. They are competing in the 2011–12 season of the The Championship, the second tier of professional football in England, having been relegated from the Premier League at the end of the...
on loan until the end of the season. He made his debut on 11 April as a 74th-minute substitute in Blackpool's 1–0 West Lancashire Derby
West Lancashire derby
The West Lancashire derby is a local derby in English football, between Lancashire neighbours Blackpool F.C. and Preston North End F.C. The derby has taken place across all four tiers of the Football League, but not yet in the Premier League...
win over Preston North End
Preston North End F.C.
Preston North End Football Club is an English professional football club located in the Deepdale area of the city of Preston, Lancashire, currently playing in the third tier of English league football, League One...
at Deepdale
Deepdale
Deepdale is a stadium in the Deepdale area of Preston, England, the home of Preston North End F.C. and, up to 2010, England's National Football Museum. Preston North End are one of the founder members of the Football League.- History :...
.
On 31 August 2009 he joined Crewe Alexandra
Crewe Alexandra F.C.
Crewe Alexandra Football Club is an English professional football club based in Crewe, Cheshire. Nicknamed The Railwaymen due to the town's links with the rail industry, they currently play in Football League Two, the fourth tier of English football, and are based at the Alexandra Stadium.The club...
on loan for the 2009–10 season.
Walton joined Sheffield United
Sheffield United F.C.
Sheffield United Football Club is a professional English football club based in the city of Sheffield, South Yorkshire.They were the first sporting team to use the name 'United' and are nicknamed 'The Blades', thanks to Sheffield's worldwide reputation for steel production...
on a season-long loan in July 2010. However, he suffered cruciate knee ligament damage during his first outing for the club in a pre-season friendly which proved to be a long-term injury. Following a recovery period at Bramall Lane his parent club, Plymouth Argyle, agreed to terminate his loan and recall him at the start of September.
On 5 April 2011, Walton made his first appearance for nine months against Leyton Orient.
After the club appointed Carl Fletcher
Carl Fletcher
Carl Neil Fletcher is an English-born Welsh footballer who is the current player-manager of Plymouth Argyle. He represented Wales at international level for five years, scoring one goal in 36 appearances...
as caretaker manager the captaincy was handed to Walton who has become one of the senior players in the young squad. Walton went to scored goals in a penalty spot against Accrington Stanley
Accrington Stanley F.C.
Accrington Stanley is an English association football club from Accrington in Lancashire, in the North West of England, who play in Football League Two, the fourth-highest division in the English football league system....
in a 2-2 draw, Dagenham & Redbridge
Dagenham & Redbridge F.C.
Dagenham & Redbridge Football Club , informally known as Daggers, is an English association football club based in Dagenham, in the London Borough of Barking & Dagenham, East London. It was formed in 1992 after a merger between Redbridge Forest and Dagenham...
in a 3-2 win, Oxford United
Oxford United F.C.
Oxford United Football Club is an English association football club based in Oxford, Oxfordshire. The club play in League Two, following promotion from the Conference National in May 2010. The club had been a non-League side since their relegation from the Football League in the 2005–06 season. The...
in a 5-1 loss, Morecambe
Morecambe F.C.
Morecambe Football Club is an English football club based in Morecambe, Lancashire. It plays its football in League Two, the fourth division of English football, having been promoted in 2007 for the first time in their history to the Football League. They played their home matches at Christie Park...
in a 1-1 draw but not in a penalty and Northampton Town
Northampton Town F.C.
Northampton Town Football Club are an English professional football club based in Northampton, Northamptonshire. They currently play in Football League Two, the lowest league division, after being relegated from League One on the last day of the 2008–09 season...
in a 4-1 win.
Personal life
Walton is engaged to page three girlPage Three girl
Page Three is a tabloid newspaper feature consisting of a topless photograph of a female glamour model, usually printed on the paper's third page...
Nicola Tappenden
Nicola Tappenden
Nicola Tappenden , also known by her modelling name Nicola T, is an English former Page 3 Girl and glamour model....
. Tappenden gave birth to their first child in November 2008, a baby girl named Poppy. Tappenden appeared in the 2010 edition of Celebrity Big Brother
Celebrity Big Brother 2010 (UK)
Celebrity Big Brother 2010 was the seventh and final series of Celebrity Big Brother to air on Channel 4 and E4. It began on Sunday 3 January 2010 and aired for 27 days until the final on 29 January 2010, the longest ever celebrity series in the UK...
in the United Kingdom.
Walton's younger sister, Sophie, played for Leeds United Ladies until signing for Lincoln Ladies in 2010.
External links
- Walton Completes Record Breaking Move at Pafc.co.uk
- Simon Walton player profile at PAFC.co.uk