Walsall FC legend status is secure for Jimmy Walker

The goalkeeper's exit yesterday was not unexpected or surprising but marks the end of his love affair with the Saddlers which spanned two decades.

A club record 534 appearances – one which is unlikely to ever be broken – etches him into the Saddlers' history.

His departure by mutual consent is a premature end to what should have been a dream partnership after Walker signed as player-coach last summer for one final fling.

Fitness issues blighted this season and his last game will remain the final day 1-0 win at Milton Keynes Dons last season.

While Walker himself hasn't stated he has officially retired, it wasn't supposed to end like this and Saddlers boss Dean Smith revealed his regret but insisted the goalkeeper will forever be a club legend.

He said: "I think we're both disappointed. He got a calf injury which didn't help, he was off the training ground for a couple of months and didn't recover from it fully to get into a fit place to be playing.

"I've always been open with Jimmy and Jimmy has always been open with me. I've said at times I want him fit for games and wanted him to be competing. Wacka felt he was in that condition but I didn't think he was.

"Those were the only disagreements we've had. But it's never soured our relationships.

"He's a great servant for the club, a fantastic lad and I've got nothing but good things to say about him. To make that many appearances for one club is phenomenal.

"Wacka will always be my mate and we'll go from me being his employer to me being his mate again and he can start calling me Smudge rather than gaffer."

Walker made his Walsall debut in 1993 after being released by Notts County and helped them to promotion in 1995, 1999 and the epic 3-2 extra-time play-off final victory over Reading in 2001.

He left in 2004 to join West Ham but a knee injury in the 2005 play-off final saw him make just 20 appearances for the Hammers in five years.

Walker moved to Tottenham as back-up for Heurelho Gomes and Carlo Cudicini before re-joining the Saddlers in 2010.

He helped the Great Escape after Smith took over when they were eight points from safety to survive on the 2010-11 season's final day.

And he passed Colin Harrison's appearance record in a 0-0 draw at Brentford last season but made just four more appearances due to injury.

This year Karl Darlow, Aaron McCarey and, now Ian McLoughlin were all drafted in on loan to plug the gap left by Walker who struggled to regain his fitness.

He turns 40 in July and cannot join another club this season as the Saddlers still hold his registration because he was released outside the transfer window.

And as Walker contemplates his next move Smith, who played with him for Walsall between 1993 and 1994, believes time just caught up with the legendary keeper.

"I hope he goes on to be successful in what he does and I'll be keeping in touch," Smith said.

"I'm thankful for the good times we've had here. He helped keep us up in my first year and came in late last season for the last two games and did really well.

"Everyone who sees him likes him. He is a lovable rogue. He's got time for everyone and everyone has time for him."