Alf Baker

Alfred Baker (27 April 1898 – April 1955) was an English footballer.

Playing career

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 F.C., 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 F.C., Newcastle United on 13 August 1919 (which was Arsenal's first-ever top flight game at Arsenal Stadium, Highbury). Baker played seventeen matches that season, but in 1920-21 in English football, 1920-21 he became a first-team regular; he also had trials for England national football team, England, though it would be another seven years before he won a cap.

A Utility player#Association football, Utility player, "Doughy" (as he was nicknamed) played in every position for Arsenal, including as an emergency Goalkeeper (association football), goalkeeper on several occasions, though usually played as right half. He was made club Captain (association football), captain in 1924. In the 1924-25 in English football, 1924-25 season, Baker won two The Football League XI, Football League representative caps and also played in the FA Community Shield, 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 1926-27 in English football, 1927, Baker played in Arsenal's first ever FA Cup Final 1927, FA Cup final; however Arsenal suffered an infamous 1–0 loss to Cardiff City F.C., Cardiff City after a mistake by Arsenal goalkeeper Dan Lewis (footballer), Dan Lewis. The following season, he was finally cap (football), capped for England, appearing against Wales national football team, 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 FA Cup Final 1930, 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.

Personal life

His brother Jim Baker (footballer), Jim Baker was also a footballer who played for Leeds United F.C., Leeds United.
Baker later worked for Arsenal as a scout. He died in 1955, at the age of 56.

Honours

Arsenal
*FA Cup: 1930 FA Cup Final, 1929–30; runner-up: 1927 FA Cup Final, 1926–27

References

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{{DEFAULTSORT:Baker, Alf
1898 births
1955 deaths
Footballers from Ilkeston
English men's footballers
England men's international footballers
Arsenal F.C. players
English miners
English Football League players
English Football League representative players
Men's association football fullbacks
Men's association football wing halves
Eastwood Rangers F.C. players
20th-century English sportsmen