Alf Baker
Encyclopedia
Alfred Baker was an English footballer
.
Born in Ilkeston
, Derbyshire
, Baker was originally a miner
and played for various clubs in Derbyshire as an amateur, including Eastwood Rangers. During World War I
he guested for Chesterfield
, Crystal Palace
and Huddersfield Town, although these appearances are not considered official. In 1919 he turned professional and signed for Arsenal
; according to club legend, Arsenal manager Leslie Knighton
signed Baker after meeting him at the pit where he worked, thus beating rivals for the player's signature who were waiting at his home.
He made his debut for Arsenal against Newcastle United
on 13 August 1919 (which was Arsenal's first-ever top flight game at Highbury
). Baker played seventeen matches that season, but in 1920-21
he became a first-team regular; he also had trials for England
, though it would be another seven years before he won a cap.
A utility player
, "Doughy" (as he was nickname
d) played in every position for Arsenal, including as an emergency goalkeeper on several occasions, though usually played as right half. He was made club captain in 1924. In the 1924-25
season, Buchan won two Football League representative caps and also played in the Charity Shield, which was a Professionals v. Amateurs match; the Professionals won 3-1. However, when new manager Herbert Chapman
arrived at the end of that season, he made Charlie Buchan
captain instead of Baker; Baker continued to play for Arsenal for another five years, though.
In 1927
, Baker played in Arsenal's first ever FA Cup final
; however Arsenal suffered an infamous 1-0 loss to Cardiff City
after a mistake by Arsenal goalkeeper Dan Lewis
. The following season, he was finally capped for England, appearing against Wales
on 28 November 1927; England lost 2-1. It was his only international appearance.
Baker finally won a major medal when he played in Arsenal's 1930 FA Cup final win over Huddersfield Town
; by now he had nearly reached the end of his career. He played only one more game for the club (also against Huddersfield, on 7 March 1931) before retiring from the game aged 33 in the summer of 1931. In all, he played 351 matches for Arsenal, scoring 26 goals. His brother Jim Baker
was also a footballer who played for Leeds United.
Baker later worked for Arsenal as a scout. He died in 1955, at the age of 56.
Football (soccer)
Association football, more commonly known as football or soccer, is a sport played between two teams of eleven players with a spherical ball...
.
Born in Ilkeston
Ilkeston
Ilkeston is a town within the Borough of Erewash, in Derbyshire, England. It lies on the River Erewash, from which the local borough takes its name. Its population at the 2001 census was 37,550...
, Derbyshire
Derbyshire
Derbyshire is a county in the East Midlands of England. A substantial portion of the Peak District National Park lies within Derbyshire. The northern part of Derbyshire overlaps with the Pennines, a famous chain of hills and mountains. The county contains within its boundary of approx...
, Baker was originally a miner
Miner
A miner is a person whose work or business is to extract ore or minerals from the earth. Mining is one of the most dangerous trades in the world. In some countries miners lack social guarantees and in case of injury may be left to cope without assistance....
and played for various clubs in Derbyshire as an amateur, including Eastwood Rangers. During World War I
World War I
World War I , which was predominantly called the World War or the Great War from its occurrence until 1939, and the First World War or World War I thereafter, was a major war centred in Europe that began on 28 July 1914 and lasted until 11 November 1918...
he guested for Chesterfield
Chesterfield F.C.
Chesterfield Football Club is an English football club based in Chesterfield, Derbyshire. The club currently plays in Football League One, the third tier of English football. Despite being the fourth oldest Football League club in England, they have spent most of their existence in the lower...
, Crystal Palace
Crystal Palace F.C.
Crystal Palace Football Club are an English Football league club based in South Norwood, London. The team plays its home matches at Selhurst Park, where they have been based since 1924. The club currently competes in the second tier of English Football, The Championship.Crystal Palace was formed in...
and Huddersfield Town, although these appearances are not considered official. In 1919 he turned professional and signed for Arsenal
Arsenal F.C.
Arsenal Football Club is a professional English Premier League football club based in North London. One of the most successful clubs in English football, it has won 13 First Division and Premier League titles and 10 FA Cups...
; according to club legend, Arsenal manager Leslie Knighton
Leslie Knighton
Albert Leslie Knighton was an English football manager.Knighton was born in Church Gresley, Derbyshire. His own playing career was cut short by injury, after which he moved into coaching and management...
signed Baker after meeting him at the pit where he worked, thus beating rivals for the player's signature who were waiting at his home.
He made his debut for Arsenal against Newcastle United
Newcastle United F.C.
Newcastle United Football Club is an English professional association football club based in Newcastle upon Tyne, Tyne and Wear. The club was founded in 1892 by the merger of Newcastle East End and Newcastle West End, and has played at its current home ground, St James' Park, since the merger...
on 13 August 1919 (which was Arsenal's first-ever top flight game at Highbury
Arsenal Stadium
Arsenal Stadium was a football stadium in Highbury, North London, which was the home ground of Arsenal Football Club between 6 September 1913 and 7 May 2006...
). Baker played seventeen matches that season, but in 1920-21
1920-21 in English football
The 1920–21 season was the 46th season of competitive football in England.-Overview:The Football League Third Division is introduced, expanding the League's operational radius south of Birmingham...
he became a first-team regular; he also had trials for England
England national football team
The England national football team represents England in association football and is controlled by the Football Association, the governing body for football in England. England is the joint oldest national football team in the world, alongside Scotland, whom they played in the world's first...
, though it would be another seven years before he won a cap.
A utility player
Utility player
In sport, a utility player is one who can play several positions competently, a sort of jack of all trades. Sports in which the term is often used include association football , baseball, rugby, rugby league, water polo and softball....
, "Doughy" (as he was nickname
Nickname
A nickname is "a usually familiar or humorous but sometimes pointed or cruel name given to a person or place, as a supposedly appropriate replacement for or addition to the proper name.", or a name similar in origin and pronunciation from the original name....
d) played in every position for Arsenal, including as an emergency goalkeeper on several occasions, though usually played as right half. He was made club captain in 1924. In the 1924-25
1924-25 in English football
The 1924–25 season was the 50th season of competitive football in England.-Honours:Notes = Number in parentheses is the times that club has won that honour...
season, Buchan won two Football League representative caps and also played in the Charity Shield, which was a Professionals v. Amateurs match; the Professionals won 3-1. However, when new manager Herbert Chapman
Herbert Chapman
Herbert Chapman was an English association football player and manager. Though he had an undistinguished playing career, he went on to become one of the most successful and influential managers in early 20th century English football, before his sudden death in 1934.As a player, Chapman played for...
arrived at the end of that season, he made Charlie Buchan
Charlie Buchan
Charles Murray Buchan was an English football player and writer.-Early career:Born in Plumstead, London, Buchan first played as an amateur for local club Woolwich Arsenal, joining the club in December 1909...
captain instead of Baker; Baker continued to play for Arsenal for another five years, though.
In 1927
1926-27 in English football
The 1926–27 season was the 52nd season of competitive football in England.-Events:This was the season in which George Camsell scored an astounding 59 goals in 37 league appearances for Middlesbrough-Honours:...
, Baker played in Arsenal's first ever FA Cup final
FA Cup Final 1927
The 1927 FA Cup Final was won by Cardiff City, who beat Arsenal 1–0. It is most remembered for Arsenal goalkeeper Dan Lewis's mistake which led to the only goal of the game. It was also the first ever Cup Final to be broadcast by BBC Radio...
; however Arsenal suffered an infamous 1-0 loss to Cardiff City
Cardiff City F.C.
Cardiff City Football Club are a Welsh professional football club based in Cardiff, Wales. The club competes in the English football pyramid and is currently playing in the Football League Championship. Cardiff City is the best supported football club in Wales, averaging approximately 22,500 for...
after a mistake by Arsenal goalkeeper Dan Lewis
Dan Lewis (footballer)
Daniel "Dan" Lewis was a Welsh football goalkeeper, who is most notable for his time playing for Arsenal. He kept goal for Arsenal in the 1927 FA Cup Final where a mistake by him saw Cardiff City win the cup.-Playing career:...
. The following season, he was finally capped for England, appearing against Wales
Wales national football team
The Wales national football team represents Wales in international football. It is controlled by the Football Association of Wales , the governing body for football in Wales, and the third oldest national football association in the world. The team have only qualified for a major international...
on 28 November 1927; England lost 2-1. It was his only international appearance.
Baker finally won a major medal when he played in Arsenal's 1930 FA Cup final win over Huddersfield Town
Huddersfield Town F.C.
Huddersfield Town Football Club is an English football club formed in 1908 and based in Huddersfield, West Yorkshire. They currently play in League One...
; by now he had nearly reached the end of his career. He played only one more game for the club (also against Huddersfield, on 7 March 1931) before retiring from the game aged 33 in the summer of 1931. In all, he played 351 matches for Arsenal, scoring 26 goals. His brother Jim Baker
Jim Baker (footballer)
James William "Jim" Baker was a professional footballer most notable for being the first captain of Leeds United A.F.C.. He was always however in the shadow of his more talented younger brother Alf Baker who played for Arsenal...
was also a footballer who played for Leeds United.
Baker later worked for Arsenal as a scout. He died in 1955, at the age of 56.