PCA PRESS RELEASE
A tribute to former PCA Chairman and Director of the Professional Cricketers' Trust.
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Former Glamorgan and England cricketer Peter Walker has died at the age of 84. A veteran of 469 first-class matches, the all-rounder scored 17,650 runs, took 834 wickets and appeared in three Test Matches for England in 1960. He was also considered to be one of the best close catchers of his generation, finishing his career with 697 catches.
In the 1961 season, he completed the double of scoring 1,000 runs and claiming 100 first-class wickets and taking an astonishing 73 catches.
Walker’s consistency stood out, scoring 1,000 runs in a season 11 times during a career which started in 1955 and was a key member of the Championship winning team in 1969
His retirement in 1972 led to a career in broadcasting initially in cricket commentary then moving into the broader broadcasting field.
Walker held a close association with the PCA and the Professional Cricketers’ Trust. He was one of the first members to join the players’ association after formation in 1967 and went on to be PCA Chairman between 1973-1975. Also appointed Chairman of PCA Management Ltd. in 2000, he was an influential figure in ensuring players were key stakeholders within the game.
This was evident with his roles for the players’ charity, where Walker held positions on the boards of the Cricketers’ Charity and then Professional Cricketers’ Trust to support current and former players during times of upheaval and hardship.
“His desire and commitment to help past players who had fallen on hard times, together with his passion for helping current players with the issues they faced, never wavered.”
DAVID FORD
In 2009, he was elected as president of Glamorgan County Cricket club and also served as chief executive of the Cricket Board of Wales. He was awarded an MBE in 2011 for services to cricket.
Professional Cricketers’ Trust Chairman, David Ford, said:
“The Directors of the Professional Cricketers’ Trust were very saddened to hear of the death of Peter Walker.
“Peter was a tremendous ambassador for cricket, both as a player and a commentator. He continued his active support as a Trustee of the Cricketers’ Charity and then for the Professional Cricketers’ Trust when the organisations were merged.
“Peter served the game in this capacity until ill health forced him to retire. His desire and commitment to help past players who had fallen on hard times, together with his passion for helping current players with the issues they faced, never wavered. He will be greatly missed.”
