Supporters just remember my bad injuries, admits ‘forgotten’ Walker

Chev Walker knows he is the “forgotten” man of Super League but now feels perfectly placed to start stirring people’s memories.

The ex-Great Britain centre will notch up his first top-flight appearance in almost 18 months when he makes his Bradford Bulls debut against former club Leeds on Sunday.

It was versus the same opponents when he suffered a horrific career-threatening broken leg while featuring for Hull KR in a play-off game at Headingley on September 18, 2009.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

After major surgery, months of rehabilitation, a problematic infection and an arduous fight back to fitness, Walker was able to play for their Under 20s at the end of last season but knew he would not be offered a new contract at Craven Park.

Bradford, themselves looking for a renaissance after a few seasons of vast under-performance, swiftly gave him a chance to resurrect his once-golden career and he is relishing the opportunity to repay them.

But Walker also knows he has been out of the picture for more than this frustrating spell. In 2008, his first year back in league after an ill-fated flirtation with Bath RU, he managed only 12 Super League games for Rovers and it seems an eternity has passed since he was that strong-running, robust Leeds centre who caused chaos for defences.

“You could almost say I’ve been the forgotten man and the only thing people are going to remember me for is my injuries,” said the player, who left hometown Leeds five years ago.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

“But in 10 years I’ve only had three main injuries; I’ve just had a bad run.

“The good thing is I’m still only 28 and I’ve had a lot of rest from playing recently.

“I’ve probably had the best pre-season ever and know I’ve not got that long left of my peak rugby so I just want to crack on and not look back.

“I’ve got a point to prove to myself more than anything else but so have Bradford; the club has got a lot to achieve and we’re all in sync ready to do it, starting against Leeds.”