Harold Walden

Who was Harold Walden?

Harold Adrian Walden was an English amateur football player who competed in the 1912 Summer Olympics.

A centre forward, he began his career at Halifax Town before joining Bradford City in December 1911. He spent four seasons with the Bantams and was the League's top scorer in 1911–12. That summer, he was part of the English amateur team that represented Great Britain at the Olympic football tournament, winning the gold medal. He played in all three matches and scored eleven goals. He holds the record of being the 'Highest British goal scorer within the Olympics' and is still the fourth highest goal scorer overall within the Olympics.

Walden entered the army by joining the Cheshire Regiment in 1902, and served in India and Ireland. He played for the Army against the Navy in 1910 and 1911, and also served in World War I, for the West Yorkshire Regiment, rising to the rank of captain. After the war ended he joined Arsenal and played six times for the Gunners, twice against Oldham Athletic scoring a single goal and in four friendlies, with his debut coming on 12 February 1921. With just those game to his name, he returned to Bradford at the end of the 1920–21 season.