AS we continue our fact-finding health assessment check around the Bolton soccer scene we take a look at the demise last summer of one of the region's major names, AFC Walkers, a club formerly known as Walkers Institute.

As the Bolton Combination "died" as a local force so did this proud and famous football team. So was it the demise of the Combination which caused "Walkers" to draw it's last breath?

Keith Callow, one of the leading lights over the final few seasons, explains for us, "There is no doubt the Combination finishing was the final straw but I have to admit the end was close anyway.

"Had the Combination carried on we may just have done another season - perhaps - I just don't know.

"We were coming towards the end. There wasn't just one reason why it all folded. There were several causes: the facilities, the Combination, then the Wanderers getting promoted and we lost players who want to go and watch Premiership football, but I suppose the overriding factor was just lack of interest.

"It had become harder and harder to get players to come to us. It is such a crying shame.

"Cotefield Avenue could be a great pitch but it would take an awful lot of work. We had a changing room that couldn't fit more than six players in at once. You get to the pitch on a Saturday and you spend all morning clearing off stinking dog muck and debris and more than likely there's another burnt out car on there.

"The ironic thing on that is that I pestered the council for years to put a gate on the entrance and they did it last year but it was just too late really.

"Over recent seasons we had a found ourselves a little niche taking young players who had just finished at under 18 level in the Boys Fed and weren't ready to go to the likes of Eagley, Tempest and the rest.

"We brought them on with us but we always had to accept that they would move on to these clubs. Still it's great now to see how young players like Steve Settle at Tempest, Jamie McDonald at Bolton County, Rob Findlow and even my own son at Blackrod are doing so well because they spent an important time with us.

"There was no chance of ever keeping players of that calibre with our facilities. Teams from higher up used to support us by coming down for pre season friendlies and things like that but it was just embarrassing.

"You could see players laughing at the pitch and the changing rooms. It all became so expensive as well - kits, pitch fees, equipment, referees. It all adds up to a tidy amount and when you can't collect the subs in, it has to be subsidised from somewhere.

"There has been talk of maybe starting up again but it's not very serious. We would have to go in the Leigh League or the Bury Amateur.

"A lot of the players said they didn't want the extra travelling which made me laugh because the Combination had virtually become a Salford league towards the end!

"I know if it did start up again all the work would land on myself and having just bought a new house I can't take it on. I do have some tremendous memories of recent years working with Rob Billington, Mick Keegan and Dave Clayton. The Old Stalwarts we were!"