NORTH WALES CRUSADERS veteran Jonny Walker is looking to ‘go out on a high’ with the club this year.

Now in his eighth season with the Wrexham-based side, Walker admits that the 2019 League One campaign is likely to be his last.

The 32-year-old prop forward made his 150th appearance for the club at Workington Town last weekend, a number bettered only by long-serving full-back Tommy Johnson.

Reflecting on reaching the landmark, Walker said: “I’m really proud of getting to 150 appearances.

“We don’t play a massive amount of games each season, so I feel lucky that I’ve not picked up any serious injuries in that time which have kept me out of the game for long.

“I’ve loved my time with the club over the years, but in my current situation I think this will probably be my last season as a player.

“I’ve got a young son and daughter, so there’s a lot going on in my family life and there are things that I’m missing out on at weekends with them. It would be cruel and a bit selfish to carry on, so I think I’ll be calling it a day.

“And that’s why I want to really push myself this season, playing as many games as I can to try and help this team achieve something so I can go out on a high.”

Walker has borne witness to so many chapters in the club’s chequered history, from the highs of lifting trophies to the nadir of the financial issues that once threatened to engulf the club.

But while other players and officials have moved on to new clubs, Walker is happy to have remained loyal, even through its bleakest times.

“I’ve seen it all,” he said. “Coaches, players, chairmen have all come and gone over the years - which happens when a club’s been through what this one has.

“For me as a player, the 2013 season where we got promoted to the Championship and won the League Cup was definitely a highlight. Since then, obviously financial problems have had a massive effect on the club’s ability to compete.”

With the club having survived plenty of turmoil in recent years, including debt issues that affected the payment of players’ wages, Walker now feels the Cru are on an even keel once more.

“It does feel like the club’s in good hands and there are some solid foundations now,” he added.

“I’ve known Andy Moulsdale since I was kid. He was great to play alongside and I think it was a great move by the club to appoint him as chairman. With Muzza and his coaching staff here there’s a real good feeling around the club at the moment.

“He knows the club well and he brings a really professional attitude into training that we take out onto the pitch. If we want to keep improving, that’s a really important attitude to have.”