Simon Walton

Football player infobox
playername = Simon Walton


fullname = Simon William Walton
dateofbirth = birth date and age|1987|9|13|df=y
cityofbirth = Leeds
countryofbirth = England
height = height|ft=6|in=1
currentclub = Plymouth Argyle
clubnumber = 4
position = Defender, Midfielder
youthyears = 2003–2004
youthclubs = Leeds United
years = 2004–2006
2006–2007
2006–2007
2007
2007–2008
2008
2008–
clubs = Leeds United
Charlton Athletic
→ Ipswich Town (loan)
→ Cardiff City (loan)
Queens Park Rangers
→ Hull City (loan)
Plymouth Argyle
caps(goals) = 34 (3)
00 (0)
19 (3)
06 (0)
05 (0)
10 (0)
05 (0)
nationalyears =
nationalteam =
nationalcaps(goals) =
pcupdate = 14:28, 6 October 2008 (UTC)
ntupdate =

Simon William Walton (born 13 September 1987 in Leeds) is an English footballer, currently playing for Plymouth Argyle.

Career

Walton started his career at hometown club Leeds United. He came to attention after being sent off in a pre-season friendly against Valencia in 2004, whilst still just sixteen. He was likened to former Elland Road heroes Alan Smith and David Batty, with whom he shares tenacity and "Leeds blood" in his veins.fact|date=January 2008 He made his competitive debut on 7 August 2004 against Derby County, and went on to score three goals in the 2004–05 season, Leeds' first in the Championship. Walton struggled to break into the first team during the 2005–06 season with his only appearances coming after injuries to Sean Gregan, Shaun Derry, Jonathan Douglas and Gylfi Einarsson.

In July 2006 he joined Premier League 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 Championship season on 18 August 2006. Walton scored several important goals for Ipswich before being loaned to another Championship side, Cardiff City, in January 2007. When playing for Cardiff, he was sent off against former club Leeds for two bookable offences.

Walton joined Championship side Queens Park Rangers on 27 July 2007 in a £200,000 deal,cite news
title = Gregory lands Addicks midfielder
url = http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/q/qpr/6919713.stm
publisher = BBC Sport
date = 2007-07-27
accessdate = 2007-08-04] having never played a competitive game for Charlton. Shortly afterwards, he broke his leg in a friendly against Fulham.cite news
title = QPR await X-rays on Walton injury
url = http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/q/qpr/6930963.stm
publisher = BBC Sport
date = 2007-08-04
accessdate = 2007-08-04]

On 29 January 2008 Walton moved to Championship play-off hopefuls Hull City on loan for the remainder of the 2007–08 season.cite news
title = Hull sign Walton on loan from QPR
url = http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/h/hull_city/7215709.stm
publisher = BBC Sport
date = 2008-01-29
accessdate = 2008-01-29]

On 6 August 2008, Walton signed for Plymouth Argyle, on a 4 year deal. Walton's transfer is a club record fee, estimated to be around £750,000.cite news
title = Walton Arrives
url = http://www.pafc.premiumtv.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0,,10364~1359433,00.html
publisher = PAFC.co.uk
date = 2008-08-06
accessdate = 2008-08-06] On 16 August 2008, Walton played for Plymouth Argyle against Reading, in a game which Plymouth lost 2-0 at the Madejski Stadium.

Personal life

Walton is currently engaged to page three girl Nicola Tappenden. [cite news
title = Sintillate North newsletter 07-09-10
url = http://sintillate.co.uk/07-09-10nw.html
publisher = Sintillate
date = 2007-10-09
accessdate = 2007-11-10] The couple are currently expecting their first child together. Walton's sister Sophie plays for Leeds United Ladies.

Notes

External links

* [http://www.pafc.premiumtv.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0,,10364~1359433,00.html Walton Completes Record Breaking Move] at Pafc.co.uk
* [http://www.hullcityafc.net/page/ProfilesDetail/0,,10338~30146,00.html Simon Walton player profile] at hullcityafc.net
* [http://www.qpr.co.uk/page/ProfilesDetail/0,,10373~30146,00.html Simon Walton player profile] at qpr.co.uk
* [http://www.cafc.co.uk/playerdisplay.ink?skip=33&season=2006/2007 Simon Walton player profile] at cafc.co.uk
*soccerbase|id=39020|name=Simon Walton

Persondata
NAME = Simon Walton
ALTERNATIVE NAMES =
SHORT DESCRIPTION = footballer
DATE OF BIRTH = 13 September 1987
PLACE OF BIRTH = Leeds, England
DATE OF DEATH =
PLACE OF DEATH =