Episode 17 - Mr Pat Walker “From Tigger to Old Trafford”

Episode 17 - Mr Pat Walker “From Tigger to Old Trafford”.

I talk to my old Drama teacher about how he started out his football journey by taking a school team in Waltham Abbey and stumbling on a year 7 powerhouse. 

From his success at school football led to him being asked to run a Harlow and West Essex schoolboy district side. A district that he would end up leading, completely changing the culture and making them a force to be reckoned with.

That in turn led him to being asked to run Essex county teams, and his first side under his wing contained a certain Mr David Beckham.

Further success landed Pat a job scouting at West Ham United where he would take a number of players and its there where he formed a great relationship with the legendary Malcolm Fidgeon.

It was through that relationship and an extended holiday for Malcolm that led to Pat being asked to work at Manchester United for a month and how his first report to Sir Alex got lost in the post.

Following that and turning down a full time role to stay in the more secure world of teaching. Pat would go on to work part time as a First team scout for Manchester United for 23 years before leaving teaching 8 years ago to go full time.

His role with the development of data has changed from opposition scouting to solely players but he has seen all the game has to offer and a whole lot more.

This is someone whom I have massive respect for and a man that has had a positive impact on hundreds of footballers instilling values and life skills from boys that whom might of stopped playing the game after their youth to people that captained their country hundreds of times.

A man that has instilled so many ethics in to so many people and someone that I am very proud to know and have had the privilege to have played under.

I hope you enjoy the episode and if in doubt “Turn it round the corner”.

👊🏻⚽️