Walker, Dennis

Dennis Walker

Clubs played for: Manchester United, York City, Cambridge United (1961-1972)

Born: 1944

Birthplace: Hackney

Position: Midfielder

Biography: Wrote himself into the history books when he became United's first ever black player. He made his debut against Nottingham Forest in May 1963, just five days before the FA Cup Final against Leicester City but it proved to be his only first team appearance, and he joined York City. Had a spell as manager of Poole then a stint in South Africa, before returning to the UK where he worked as operations manager of the Arndale shopping complex. He was working there at the the time of a terrorist attack in 1996. Died in Stockport in August 2003, aged 58.

Do you have any interesting, happy, or humorous memories of Dennis?
If so, please let us know and we will be happy to share them with the world!

Walker, Dennis Dennis and I worked together for a clothing retail company in Bournemouth called Gran Moda. Dennis was player manager of our Sunday league side. This would have been in the mid seventies after his stint at Poole Town. We played together for the next three or four years and he eventually returned to his native Cheshire. He phoned me out of the blue about twenty years later. I was very sad to hear of his death in 2003 at the age of only 58 He was a great guy and I have fond memories of him.
28-10-20 patrick featherstone

Walker, Dennis Dennis was most certainly mixed heritage but I've seen a report that his father was half-Argentinian and half-Iranian. To be honest that seems unlikely as he would seem to be too dark-skinned. Does anyone know where his father was from?
24-08-20 Bill H

Walker, Dennis I write about Dennis extensively in my book 'Colouring Over the White Line. The History of Black Footballers in Britain pp164-168
10-03-20 Phil Vasili

Walker, Dennis He was born in Northwich Cheshire.
He was mixed race not black
His mother Mary was white.
13-02-19 Aj