Bobby Walker was the greatest footballer of his generation. Known by even English commentators as the man with ;twinkling feet,' and considered by no less than Billy Meredith the great Welsh winger (who had over 70 caps for his country) as the best footballer around.
He is of course almost unknown outside of Edinburgh today.
Born in 1879, not far from the origins of the Heart of Midlothian itself, this late Victorian young man moved to Gorgie, watched the Heart of Midlothian bring the Scottish Cup home in 1891, what a delight! and was destined to play for his club. Beginning as a 14 year old at Dalry Primrose Bobby soon attracted the attention of the Heart of Midlothian. Interestingly (I say) a picture, which I cannot find online, shows the team in 1896. Bobby Walker sits at the front alongside his team, and looking at two or three faces around him I find I recognise them! At least three of the young men pictured are identical with three of the young men who formed the crowd following the Heart of Midlothian during the 1960s. The family resemblance is too strong to ignore. I did not know these men as they came on other buses, but they are descended from members of this team.
During 1896 the Heart of Midlothian defeated Hibernians by 3 goals to 1 at Logie Green in Edinburgh. Amongst the crowd was Bobby Walker, aged 17 and soon to sign himself for this great side.
From his first game for the club, a friendly two all draw against Sunderland, until his last in 1913, a Roseberry Cup semi-final against St Bernard's, Bobby Walker established himself as one of Scotland's greatest ever footballers.
If you read the Glasgow press this fact may have escaped you however.
In those far off days Scotland had two international sides, the SFA Scotland side, and the Scottish League side, both of equal importance then. Of course we only played against Wales, Ireland and England, no other nation was considered worthy enough to challenge regularly. However, Bobby Walker obtained a record number of International 'caps,' 29 in all, including an amazing 11 caps against England, another record.
Speaking of records, he managed to play against Hibernians 94 times! There were many more leagues, cups and friendly games in those days. He also scored 17 times against Hibernians at Easter Road, even John Roberson in the 80s could only manage 15 there. Keep in mind Hibernians great centre forward Laurie Reilly only managed 7 against the Hearts and you can tell something of the mans talent.
There is no doubt that his talent was recognised by all in the day, only injury or his own desire stopped him getting more rewards for his ability.
After football he continued to play in friendlies, though his health was not always good. At least this avoided his participation in the Great War. However, his financial dealings were not wise, his pubs lost money, his wife appeared to commit suicide, and he himself did not help by drinking. A great curse amongst Scots is the drink! Far too many die from the after effects. It is to be hoped today's players are encouraged to a different lifestyle to aid long term health.
Bobby Walker died during August 1930, and was buried in Merchison cemetery not far from Tynecastle Park which he graced for so long. Huge crowds lined the streets as his coffin passed by. A rather tragic end to a great footballer.
This book comprised much written by Bobby himself in his autobiography, lots of photographs from the time, and masses of statistics at the end to please the most fervent statto. It is a long read, going year by year of his career, and invites us into a foreign world from the turn of the century and before the Great War. So near in time, yet so different from today. Yet the tale of one talented young man making it to the top in football is no different. Spotted at a young level, signed and escorted by players more senior to him whom he knew. And capable of making the most of his talent, and obtaining great reward for it. He was earning £6 a week at times, a soldier only got 10/- (ten shillings) and many people earned less!
For fans of football and history this is a book well worth reading. The man speaks for himself, the pictures and reports speak for the times. The talent speaks for itself.
On Palm Sunday, though it was not called this at the time, Jesus entered the Temple and upset all the tables of those making money. This was not just a bad temper, the area in which these money changers and merchants were operating was the 'Court of the Gentiles.' This area was where all people could come and worship the God of the whole earth, not just Jews, the 'chosen people.' Instead of prayer what we see are money changers. A rule had arisen that only Temple money could be used, so someone was getting rich. The animals brought for sacrifice were rejected as 'not good enough' and only those on sale, at a price, could be used, pigeons, for the poorest, lambs for the wealthier, all at a price using Temple money. No wonder Jesus was upset! This was a Temple area set out as 'a place of prayer, for all nations,' and instead it was a capitalists dream. No wonder the tables were overturned, the animals set free.
The word 'sorrow' used here as you know is perilupos which is not covered by sorrow. 'Very sad,' 'deeply grieved,' or 'exceeding sorrowful,' says 'Vines Expository Dictionary of NT words.' Here is a man who bows before his father knowing that this cross is the only way to save mankind. Before him lies arrest, opposition, hatred, lies and beatings before being falsely found guilty of being what he is, the 'Son of God!' He takes his disciples with him, only eleven are left, with the closet three nearby. Three times he appeals to his father for this to be taken from him, but there is no other way. He wrestles with giving up himself to physical assault and then crucifixion, and then separation from his father for the only time in eternity, all for you. Jesus the man has to choose whether to suffer this because you and I sin, and care little about it, or whether he should keep his body, return to his father and let us all be lost, suffering Hell, the separation from God for ever.
He chooses to accept the fathers lead, all the while he struggles and his closest friends forget him and fall asleep. How very like me.
