Familiar Surroundings

Walton was born in Truro, of Wadebrodge stock, and first joined the club when he was 8 years old, when he was still a season ticket holder in the Devonport end. 

Leaving Home Park at the age of 16 to join Brighton in 2013, the promising goalkeeper has been furthering his career ever since. Now, he has the chance to show his boyhood club just how far he has come. 

“I got into the first team squad (at Brighton) and played 5 games last year and then went on loan to Bury this season," he said. 

“I got injured then went back to Brighton and have just been waiting for the opportunity to come up to go out on loan again and obviously Plymouth was the first one.

“The opportunity came up on Monday evening and I was delighted to hear the news. It was a quick decision.

Walton returned to the West Country on Wednesday afternoon and got straight back into the thick of the training, in the familiar territory of Harpers Park: “It was familiar surroundings, it’s nothing I wasn’t used to," said Christian. 

Walton has also represented England at Under 19 and 20 levels on a number of occasions, recently being called into the Under 21 squad. “I enjoyed being there," he said. "it’s brilliant to get that call - it’s an honour. It’s been really good to be involved in that set up."

The new number 31 was a schoolboy when the club went into administration, and had started his apprenticeship when the club was still in a slump. “To see them pull through and the direction they’re heading in now is brilliant," said Christian.

Looking ahead to the Devon Derby against Exeter City on Saturday Walton said: “I don’t think I can come in for a better game. I’m really looking forward to it and I know what it means to the club so I’m really excited.

“It brings back a lot of memories as a fan, so on Saturday I know what that game means to people across the two counties.”