Ex-Lancer moves up into Football League

The 24-year-old signed a one-year deal with League Two Luton Town, after enjoying a prolific season with Peacehaven & Telscombe.

Walker crashed home 43 goals as Peacehaven won the Ryman League South Division title, which attracted the attention of Hatters manager John Still.

One of Walker’s former managers and current Lancing Football Club chairman, Martin Gander, is not surprised by his progress.

He said: “Charlie is a great lad and it’s great to see what he has been able to achieve since he left us. From the moment he came, you could see he had that eye for a goal. Once he got in the side here, he just scored goals.

“Charlie has that striker’s instinct and knows when to be selfish and when to get others involved.”

Walker, who has netted more than 120 times in the last three seasons, netted ten goals for Mussels in the 2010-11 season.

The following season, Walker had scored 15 goals by December at Middle Road and then made the move to Lancing, where he netted 21 goals as Lancers finished County League runners-up.

Gander added: “I only played a small part in his development but the lad was a pleasure to coach. I remember one game we had and my assistant called him over and tried giving him some coaching, at which point I turned to him and said ‘just let him play, he does not need coaching’.

“He had great pace when he was with us and has obviously just gone from strength to strength since he left.

“It was a pleasure to have him play for me and I wish him all the best in the future.”

Luton manager Still gave his thoughts on completing the signings of Walker, along with Thurrock left-back Mark Onyemah on Tuesday.

Speaking to the Luton website, he said: “Charlie is an out-and-out goalscorer.

“They’ll be no pressure on either of them to produce straight away. I know what they are capable of and I believe in their potential.”

Walker netted twice for a Luton XI on Saturday, in a 4-0 win over AFC Dunstable.