The following tribute to Keith Walwyn was originally produced for and shown at the 2009 Champions & Centurions Dinner at York Racecourse, an event to celebrate the 25th Anniversary of the 101 point-winning York City 4th Division Championship team of 1983/1984.
As part of a nostalgic look back at this season of triumph, a wide range of guests were present including the management and playing squad from the era.
Sadly, with Keith no longer with us, it was decided to compile and feature a special tribute to him and his contribution to not only York City but football in general. Thankfully, members of his family were able to attend to celebrate with his teammates and friends.
Second in the club’s all-time scoring list, Keith Walwyn netted 140 goals in 291 League and Cup games over six magnificent years for City in the 1980s.
Born in Nevis in the West Indies on 17th February 1956, Keith was signed by City boss Barry Lyons from Chesterfield in June 1981 for the bargain fee of £4,000. His first-team chances at Saltergate had been limited but his impact at York was immediate, and he scored on his debut on 29th August 1981 at Tranmere Rovers in a win on the opening day of the season.
The big centre forward led the City attack with great success and was one of the most feared and respected strikers in the lower leagues. Apart from 1984/1985, when he missed a number of games through injury, he notched over 20 goals per season, and the ever-popular striker was voted Clubman of the Year in 1981/1982 and 1986/1987.
Keith netted 25 goals in the Fourth Division Championship campaign of 1983/1984 when he struck up an outstanding partnership with John Byrne. Keith also figured in the FA Cup runs of the mid-1980s when the club twice reached the 5th Round. He twice recorded hattricks, at home to Mansfield Town in the League in November 1982 and at Sunderland in the League Cup in 1986.
Utterly fearless, he was very strong in the air and would run through the proverbial brick wall. Keith was an outstanding figure in his time at Bootham Crescent and a much-loved player who always gave 100 percent effort
In 1987 he moved to Blackpool for a tribunal-fixed fee of £35,000 and later played for Carlisle United and Kettering Town.
Keith sadly passed away in April 2003 at the early age of 47, but his name lives on in the hearts of every York City supporter – now and always.
With special thanks to The Walwyn Family, David Batters, Carol Abel, Greg Halfpenny and AFC Fylde.
By yorkcityfc
April 15, 2021
