Oldest player Harry Walker dies aged 103
Harry Walker, England’s oldest former international, the driving force behind Coventry Rugby Club for 80-odd years and a spiritual godfather of the front-row union, has passed away at the age of 103.
Walker made his debut for
Coventry as a wing-forward in 1932, but was soon converted to a prop, where he spent the next 20 years representing his hometown club. He made his England debut against Wales in 1947 and earned nine caps, a total that would have been far higher had it not been for the Second World War.
Retiring in 1952, Walker, known as H, went on to hold just about every position at Coventry, including first XV and second XV match secretary – in eras when “coaches” did not exist – president and patron. He was attending matches as recently as April and happy to give his forthright views on the game in his customary seat at the bar.
“No one ever dared to sit in his seat, even if he was not at a game. I think it will remain empty for some time,” said Peter Rossborough, club president and former England fullfor
back. “He was very single-minded that the only thing that mattered on a rugby field was how the forwards played and b----r the backs, although he used stronger words.”
Walker turned down a bonus offer of £100 to sign for Huddersfield Rugby League to stay with Coventry, while earning £3.50 as a machine tool fitter.
“It was fantastic,” Walker told The Daily Telegraph in 2015. “You were representing your city. Everyone would know you.”
After the war, he ran a pub while assisting Coventry and Warwickshire, whom he “coached” to four County Championship titles. “He was a force for good, but also a force
ferocity, commitment and attitude,” Rossborough added.
There were examples of pennypinching by the Rugby Football Union, which led to him turning down a further cap. “We had to buy our own shorts,” Walker said. “We all had jobs, so it cost money to play. All the while they filled the stadium.”
In his 100th year, he also rejected an RFU offer of a ticket, not including travel or accommodation, for a match against Italy. Following criticism in these pages, Bill Beaumont and Fran Cotton were scrambled by HQ to ensure Walker attended the game against Scotland, where he was presented with a signed shirt, which seemed to placate him.