Sam Walker

We often see talk of pathways to first team football, which is a lot more of a windier path for goalkeepers.

Sam Walker is a great example of a player spotted at a young age, taken under the wing of a good academy system and then picked off by one of the big boys only then to see his career become one of a journeyman.

£500,000 Chelsea paid Millwall for the then 15-year old Walker, and despite starring in the Blues 2009/10 FA Youth Cup win (where they beat us on the way), his career then became a meander around the lower leagues only stopping for any significant time at Colchester, where he made 200 appearances.

That is not to be sniffed at and Walker’s performances there earned him a 3-year deal up the levels to Reading, but he only played 7 times in those three season’s for the Royals, and more loans peppered his time there.

Then two season’s in Scotland with Kilmarnock, where he left in the summer and he has been a free agent ever since.

Walker’s short-term move to SE7 makes sense with Isted probably not being match fit until December, Welcome to Charlton, Sam.