Leeds United F.C. History
Leeds United F.C. History : Foreword
1919-29 - The Twenties
1930-39 - The Thirties
1939-46 - The War Years
1947-49 - Post War Depression
1949-57 - The Reign of King John
1957-63 - From Charles to Revie
1961-75 - The Revie Years
1975-82 - The Downward Spiral
1982-88 - The Dark Years
1988-96 - The Wilko Years
1996-04 - The Rollercoaster Ride
2004-17 - Down Among The Deadmen
100 Greatest LUFC Players Ever
Greatest Leeds United Games
Players' Profiles
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Leeds City F.C. History
Leeds City F.C. Player and Manager Profiles
Leeds United/City Statistics
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Walton: Simon William (Simon)

2004-2006 (Player Details)

Midfield

Born: Sherburn-in-Elmet: 13-09-1987

Debut: Derby County (h): 07-08-2004

6’1” 13st 5lb (2007)

Walton started his career as a trainee at Elland Road. When just sixteen he was given his chance in a pre-season friendly against Valencia in July 2004 He certainly made an impression as he scored from the penalty spot and was sent-off after receiving two yellow cards for foul play. Because of this tenacity he was likened to two other Leeds boys, Alan Smith and David Batty. He made his debut for Leeds on 7th August 2004 in the season’s opening fixture against Derby County, and went on to score three goals in the 2004-05 season, Leeds' first in the CCCL. Walton struggled to break into the first team during the following season with his only appearances coming after injuries to Sean Gregan, Shaun Derry, Jonathan Douglas and Gylfi Einarsson. In July 2006 he joined EPL side Charlton Athletic for an initial fee of £500,000, with clauses which 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 CCCL season on 18th August 2006. Walton scored several important goals for Ipswich before being loaned to another CCCL side, Cardiff City, in January 2007. While at Portman Road he scored three goals in thirteen starts and six games from the bench. While playing for Cardiff, he was sent off against former club Leeds for two bookable offences. He played six League games for Cardiff, including one from the bench. He was then signed by CCCL side Queens Park Rangers on 27th July 2007 in a £200,000 deal, having never played a competitive game for Charlton Athletic. Shortly afterwards, he broke his leg in a friendly against Fulham, having played just five League games, four of which were from the bench. On 29th January 2008 he moved to CCCL play-off hopefuls Hull City on loan for the remainder of the 2007-08 season. He made five League starts as well as five more from the bench as Hull reached the EPL via the Play-offs, but had to be content with staying on the bench in the final games including the Play-off Semi-Finals and did not make the bench for the Wembley Final. After just five League games for Queens Park Rangers, of which four were as a substitute, on 6th August 2008 he signed for Plymouth Argyle on a four year contract for £750,000, a club record. He was initially a regular at Home Park but, after being sent off against Barnsley, the sixth red card of his career, he was placed on the transfer list by Manager Paul Sturrock on 22nd December 2008. It was a culmination of poor performances and undisciplined conduct and once more, as throughout his career, his attitude and temperament were called into question. He had played thirteen League games, including one as a substitute, and one start in the League Cup. He was loaned to Blackpool on 26th March 2009 but only made one appearance for them, as a substitute in a League game at Preston, before returning to Plymouth. He was loaned to Crewe Alexandra on 31st August 2009 and played regularly for them, making twenty-six starts and five games from the bench and scored once. He also made one F.A. Cup appearance and one game as a substitute in the Johnstone's Paint Trophy. He joined Sheffield United on a season-long loan on 6th July 2010. He rejoined former Manager Kevin Blackwell, who gave him his chance at Leeds, but in his first game, a friendly against Mansfield Town, he suffered a cruciate ligament injury. The injury was expected to keep Walton out for the whole of the season and Sheffield agreed to pay his wages and keep an open mind as to his future once he recovers.

AppearancesGoals
League 26/83
F.A. Cup 20
League Cup 1/10