JAMES WALKER
25TH November 1987 – September 2026
James Walker, who played a small part in one of our most successful seasons, 2006/07, has passed away at the age of 38.
The Hackney born striker arrived at The Mem on loan from Charlton Athletic, having already been out on loan at Hartlepool United, on 26th September 2006 and made his league debut for us just 24 hours later, in a 2-1 win against Hereford United at The Mem.
The England U-19 forward was to make three more league appearances for Rovers and scored his only goal for us in a 1-0 home win against Boston United.
He later played for Orient in two separate spells, Notts County, Yeovil Town, Southend United (for whom he scored eight goals in 54 appearances), Hereford United and Gillingham as well as appearing for a number of non league clubs.
In February 2019 James, who also worked as a PE Teacher, was demonstrating a somersault to his class when he suffered a massive cardiac arrest which, for a time, stopped all blood flow to his brain. He was in a coma for 15 days and only just pulled through.
He was left with both physical and mental impairments and although he regained the capacity to walk, he was unable to look after himself and lived in a 24 hour care home in Southend.
We send our condolences to James’ family and friends at this very sad time.