| Tom
Walmsley first made a name for himself as a dynamic
midfield player at Hassocks. Playing under Terry Vick,
the youngster soon established himself as a regular in
the side. Seeking a new challenge, Walmsley joined Andy
Collin's Southdown Rovers for 2003-2004. Playing in a
variety of positions, Walmsley shone as Rovers struggled
for form in a turbulent season. Farhall had seen enough,
and on recommendations from McCarthy, who played
alongside Walmsley at Leylands Park, the Hamsters paid
Rovers a fee of £2.5 million for the players
services. The money crippled the clubs finances, but it
was justified, as Walmsley performed exceptionally in
his brief games for the club. Taking a significant
pay-cut, the midfielder was handed the captains armband
by McCarthy for the 2004-2005 season, and it paid
dividends as he inspired the team onto their most
successful season ever, losing only once along the way.
A serious knee injury cut his season short, and the
problem seemed to continue to effect him into 2005-2006.
In
January 2006, Walmsley was offered the position of
player-manager at Burgess Hill United, and as a sign of
respect for what he had achieved at the club, Walmsley
was allowed to move on a free to take up his new
position. Ironically, his first game in charge was
against the Hamsters, and his return to the Cage was not
a happy one as he was given a rough reception by the
fans and his side went down 8-3 |
