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Carl Baker

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For the heavyweight boxer, seeCarl Baker (boxer).

Carl Baker
Baker playing forStockport Countyin 2011
Personal information
Full name Carl Paul Baker
Date of birth (1982-12-26)26 December 1982(age 41)
Place of birth Prescot,England
Position(s) Winger,Attacking midfielder
Youth career
Liverpool
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2003 Prescot Cables
2003–2007 Southport 130 (31)
2007–2008 Morecambe 42 (10)
2008–2010 Stockport County 42 (12)
2010–2014 Coventry City 160 (21)
2014–2016 Milton Keynes Dons 66 (12)
2016–2017 Portsmouth 47 (9)
2017 ATK 0 (0)
2018 Coventry City 0 (0)
2018–2019 Nuneaton Borough 16 (1)
2019–2020 Brackley Town 34 (6)
2020–2021 Nuneaton Borough 12 (5)
2021–2023 AFC Telford United 22 (1)
2023 Quorn 2 (0)
Total 573 (108)
International career
2006–2007 England C 2 (0)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals

Carl Paul Baker(born 26 December 1982) is an English former professionalfootballerwho played as awingeror as anattacking midfielder.

He made over 350 career appearances in theFootball League,including 160 appearances forCoventry City.

Born on 26 December 1982 inPrescot,Merseyside,[1]Baker came up through theLiverpool Academybefore moving toPrescot Cables.Shortly after, he moved toSouthportin 2003, with whom he helped win the Conference North title. An impressive four-year spell saw him earn a move into the Football League withMorecambe,where he found the net 11 times in 48 appearances. Two years atStockport Countyfollowed prior to completing a switch to then-Championship club Coventry City in the summer of 2010. He went on to play 182 times for the Sky Blues and was captain for the final two years of his four-year stay. In September 2014, he signed forMilton Keynes Donsafter being released by Coventry. Baker signed for Portsmouth in June 2016. He signed withIndian Super LeaguefranchiseATKin the following year but was released without playing a match due to an injury which ruled him out for the entire season. In March 2018, Carl returned to Coventry City on a short-term deal until the end of the season, before concluding his career innon-league football.

On November 21, 2021, Baker was appointed assistant manager atAFC Telford Unitedalongside managerPaul Carden.

He has representedEnglandat semi-professional level playing forEngland C.

Club career

[edit]

Born inPrescot,Merseyside,Baker started his career withLiverpoolat schoolboy level before playing forPrescot Cables.[2]He signed forSouthportin 2003.

Southport

[edit]

Baker's career was forged atSouthport.Spotted playing for Prescot by Southport managerLiam Watson,Baker was quickly snapped up by the Merseyside club, and soon established himself as one of non-league's exciting talents. He was an important member of the SouthportConference NorthChampionship winning team in the 2004–05 season.[2]In 2005, he was a member of theMiddlesex Wanderers F.C.that visitedJapan.[3]

After again playing an important role in helping keep Southport in theConference Nationalin the 2005–06 season, Baker signed his first full-time contract, for the next season as the club turned fully professional, whilst much of the championship winning, and relegation surviving team, (fan favourites Steve Dickinson, Steve Daly, Earl Davis) all not willing to leave their non-footballing jobs, left unable to make the transition to full-time.[citation needed]

Despite Southport's relegation from the Conference National in the 2006–07 season, Baker swept the board with Player of the Year awards, voted on by his fellow players, the fans and local press. He was a fan favourite with the club's fans, being one of only two players left from the 2005 title winning squad.[citation needed]Although only on a year's contract meaning he could move on for free, the club's official website announced he had signed for another year at the club. This meant that any interested team would have to pay for his services.[4]

Morecambe

[edit]

On 11 July 2007, he signed forFootball League Twonewcomers Morecambe for a club record, though undisclosed fee.[5]He signed a three-year contract with Morecambe.[6][7]In August 2007 Baker scored Morecambe's first goal when they beatFootball League ChampionshipclubWolverhampton Wanderers3–1 in extra time in aLeague Cupmatch.[8]

In November, Baker was named North West Non-league player of the year, at the North West Football Awards, for his efforts playing for Southport in 2006–07, beating his new Morecambe teammateAdam Yatesto the prize.[9]

Stockport County

[edit]

On 22 July 2008, Baker signed a three-year contract atStockport County,with the club paying Morecambe a £175,000 fee.[10]

His 2008–09 season was a in-different one for Baker, he played 27 times for County in his first season, scoring 3 goals, all these were before January, when Baker received a knee injury which required surgery.[citation needed]

The 2009–10 season started well for Baker on the pitch and he was seen to be one of Stockport's main assets.[citation needed]By mid-October he was County's leading scorer with 10 goals. Baker became the first County player to score successive away hat-tricks, with stunning performances againstBrighton & Hove Albion&Crewe.[citation needed]Baker scored his 10th goal-of-the-season for Stockport from the penalty spot in the game away toTranmere Rovers,which was live onSky– dedicating the goal to his brother Mike whose name he bears on his shirt collar.

Baker added to his goals tally by scoring a penalty in the game against Tooting & Mitcham.

On 26 December 2009,Gary Abletttold reporters that Baker has signed a deal with Championship sideCoventry City.Baker's last game for Stockport County was against League 1 leadersLeeds Unitedin which he scored a freekick. The goal was his 13th goal of the season.

Coventry City

[edit]

Coventry confirmed Baker as the club's fourth permanent signing in the January 2010 transfer window on 8 January 2010.[11]Baker joined Coventry for an undisclosed fee, which was confirmed by him in person as being £300,000.[12]In February 2010, Manager Chris Coleman praised Baker for his impressive performances since joining the club, likening his playing style to that of Sky Blue legend Tommy Hutchinson.[13]On 10 August 2010, Baker returned to former clubMorecambe,in aLeague CupFirst Round tie. Coventry fell to a 2–0 defeat. The Sky Blues made up for their 2010 cup loss toMorecambeby beating them 2–1 in the 2012–13FA Cup2nd Round. Baker scored the winning goal curling the ball roundMorecambekeeperBarry Rochejust 18 seconds into the second half. During his time at the club he became a fan favourite due to his consistently skillful and dedicated performances, and was club captain for more than two years from 2012 to 2014.

Baker had his Coventry City contract cancelled by mutual consent on 1 September 2014.[14]

Milton Keynes Dons

[edit]

On 26 September 2014, following his release from Coventry City, fellow League One side Milton Keynes Dons announced Baker had signed for the club,[15]and made his debut on 4 October 2014 in a 0–2 away win againstYeovil Town.Baker scored his first goal for his new club on 8 November 2014 in theFA Cupfirst round 3–4 away win againstPort Vale.Baker also scored his first league goal for the club, again against Port Vale a week later in a 1–0 home win.

On 22 April 2015 Baker scored twice in the 3–0 home win againstDoncaster Rovers.

On 28 April 2015 at the club's end of season awards ceremony, Baker was named Player of the Year 2014–15, voted for by supporters of the club.[16]

On 3 May 2015 Baker scored on the final day of the 2014–15League Oneseason in a 5–1 home win againstYeovil Town,achieving promotion with Milton Keynes Dons to theFootball League Championship.

Portsmouth

[edit]

Baker signed a 2-year deal withPortsmouth F.C.in June 2016, having previously worked with managerPaul Cookat Southport. He scored on his debut in a 1–1 draw withCarlisle Unitedon 6 August 2016.[17]

ATK

[edit]

On 4 September 2017, Baker moved abroad, signing forIndian Super LeaguefranchiseATK.[18]After suffering an injury during the pre-season, he was ruled out of play for the entire season.[19]He was subsequently replaced byRyan Taylor.[20]

Return to Coventry City

[edit]

On 9 March 2018, Carl returned toCoventry Cityon a short-term deal.[21]On 4 May 2018, it was announced that Carl had left the club by mutual consent due to injury; during this second spell with the club he was unable to make an appearance.[22]

Nuneaton Borough

[edit]

On 31 August 2018,Nuneaton Boroughannounced that Baker had signed for the club.[23]He made his début for Nuneaton Borough in a 1–0 win atCurzon Ashtonthe following day.[24]He left the club in January 2019.[25]

Brackley Town

[edit]

After his departure from Nuneaton Borough, Baker joined fellowNational League NorthclubBrackley Town.He scored twice on his home debut, againstBradford Park Avenueon 26 January 2019.[26]

Return to Nuneaton

[edit]
Baker playing forNuneaton Boroughin August 2021.

On 30 July 2020, he re-signed forSouthern Football LeaguePremier Division side Nuneaton Borough, at the age of 37.[27]

AFC Telford United

[edit]

On 26 November 2021, he was appointed as assistant manager toPaul CardenatNational League NorthsideAFC Telford Unitedand also continued to feature as a player.[28]

Quorn

[edit]

In February 2023, Baker signed forQuorn.[29]

International career

[edit]

In November 2005 Baker was called up to theEngland Csquad, but was recalled by Southport due to an FA Cup replay againstWoking.[30]However, he was called up again for a match against Italy on 15 February 2006,[31]which England won 3–1.[32]He played for England C in their 1–0 win over Finland on 1 June 2007. [33]

Personal life

[edit]

On 21 August 2006, Baker pleaded guilty at North Sefton Magistrates Court to failing to provide a specimen for analysis, after he had been stopped on 13 August by police in Southport, who suspected Baker had been drink driving. Magistrates disqualified him from driving. Baker made a public apology.

In October 2006 he was suspended for a week and fined by Southport for what was described as a "serious breach of club discipline".[34]

On 16 September 2009 it was confirmed that Baker's older brother (Michael) had died ofleukaemia;despite that Carl went on to play just two days later and score 2 goals in Stockport's 2–2 draw withYeovil Town;his other brother has also been diagnosed with leukaemia. At the end of the Yeovil game Carl was presented with a card signed by the travelling Stockport fans.

After retiring from professional football, Baker became a professional golf caddie forRobert Rock.[35]

Career statistics

[edit]
Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
Club Season League National cup League cup Other Total
Division Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals
Southport 2003–04[36] Northern Premier LeaguePremier Division 23 5 0 0 — 5[a] 3 28 8
2004–05[37] Conference North 31 8 2 0 — 9[b] 0 42 8
2005–06[38] Conference National 36 7 3 0 — 4[c] 0 43 7
2006–07[39] Conference National 40 11 1 0 — 4[d] 1 45 12
Total 130 31 6 0 — 22 4 158 35
Morecambe 2007–08[40] League Two 42 10 1 0 3 1 2[e] 0 48 11
Stockport County 2008–09[41] League One 22 3 2 0 1 0 2[e] 0 27 3
2009–10[42] League One 20 9 1 1 1 0 2[e] 3 24 13
Total 42 12 3 1 2 0 4 3 51 16
Coventry City 2009–10[42] Championship 22 0 0 0 0 0 — 22 0
2010–11[43] Championship 32 1 2 1 1 0 — 35 2
2011–12[44] Championship 26 1 1 0 0 0 — 27 1
2012–13[45] League One 43 12 3 1 3 1 6[e] 1 55 15
2013–14[46] League One 37 7 5 2 1 1 0 0 43 10
Total 160 21 11 4 5 2 6 1 182 28
Milton Keynes Dons 2014–15[47] League One 32 9 2 1 0 0 1[e] 0 35 10
2015–16[48] Championship 34 3 0 0 3 2 — 37 5
Total 66 12 2 1 3 2 1 0 72 15
Portsmouth 2016–17[49] League Two 45 9 1 0 0 0 0 0 46 9
2017–18[50] League One 2 0 0 0 1 0 1[e] 0 4 0
Total 47 9 1 0 1 0 1 0 50 9
ATK 2017–18 Indian Super League 0 0 0 0 — 0 0 0 0
Coventry City 2017–18 League Two 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Nuneaton Borough 2018–19[51] National League North 16 1 0 0 — 0 0 16 1
Brackley Town 2018–19[51] National League North 15 6 0 0 — 1[f] 0 16 6
2019–20[51] National League North 19 0 1 0 — 1[f] 0 21 0
Total 34 6 1 0 — 2 0 37 6
Nuneaton Borough 2020–21[52] Southern LeaguePremier Division Central 1 0 1 0 — 2[g] 2 4 2
2021–22[52] Southern League Premier Division Central 11 5 2 0 — 3[h] 1 16 6
Total 12 5 3 0 — 5 3 20 8
AFC Telford United 2021–22[51] National League North 15 1 0 0 — 0 0 15 1
2022–23[51] National League North 7 0 0 0 — 0 0 7 0
Total 22 1 0 0 — 0 0 22 1
Quorn 2022–23[53] United Counties LeaguePremier Division North 2 0 0 0 — 0 0 2 0
Career total 573 108 28 6 14 5 43 11 658 130
  1. ^One appearance inFA Trophy,one appearance inNorthern Premier League Challenge Cup,three appearances three goals inLiverpool Senior Cup
  2. ^Five appearances in FA Trophy, one appearance inConference League Cup,one appearance in Liverpool Senior Cup, two appearances inLancashire Junior Cup
  3. ^One appearance in FA Trophy, one appearance in Liverpool Senior Cup, two appearances in Lancashire Junior Cup
  4. ^Two appearances one goal in FA Trophy, one appearance in Liverpool Senior Cup, one appearance in Lancashire Junior Cup
  5. ^abcdefAppearances inFootball League Trophy
  6. ^abAppearances in National League North play-offs
  7. ^Appearances in FA Trophy
  8. ^Two appearances in FA Trophy, one appearance one goal inSouthern League Cup

Honours

[edit]

Southport

Milton Keynes Dons

Portsmouth

Individual

References

[edit]
  1. ^Rollin, Glenda; Rollin, Jack, eds. (2012).Sky Sports Football Yearbook 2012–2013(43rd ed.). London:Headline.p. 457.ISBN978-0-7553-6356-8.
  2. ^ab Pearce, James (11 July 2007)."Southport star Carl Baker set for Morecambe move".Liverpool Echo.Retrieved30 December2007.
  3. ^"Middlesex Wanderers Association Football Club Tour to Japan 2005".Middlesex Wanderers. 2005. Archived fromthe originalon 2 October 2011.Retrieved30 December2007.
  4. ^"Baker signs Port deal".Southport Visiter. 16 May 2007.Retrieved26 March2009.
  5. ^"Latest news: Double signing".Morecambe F.C.11 July 2007. Archived fromthe originalon 27 September 2007.Retrieved30 December2007.
  6. ^ "Morecambe land midfielder Baker".BBC Sport.12 July 2007.Retrieved30 December2007.
  7. ^ "Sammy delight at record signing".Morecambe Visitor. 13 July 2007.Retrieved30 December2007.
  8. ^"Sensational Shrimps tame the Wolves".Morecambe Visitor. 28 August 2007. Archived fromthe originalon 12 December 2019.Retrieved30 December2007.
  9. ^"Classy Carl claims top gong".This Is Lancashire. 13 November 2007.Retrieved21 January2008.
  10. ^"Baker out and Howe in at Shrimps".BBC Sport.22 July 2008.Retrieved26 March2024.
  11. ^ "Carl Baker completes Coventry City switch".Coventry City F.C.8 January 2010. Archived fromthe originalon 11 January 2010.Retrieved8 January2010.
  12. ^ "TRANSFER: Baker signs for Sky Blues".BBC Sport.8 January 2010.Retrieved25 January2010.
  13. ^ "Jon Stead Strike sparks play-off ambitions".Coventry Telegraph.1 March 2010.Retrieved12 March2010.
  14. ^"Carl Baker leaves Coventry City after terminating contract by mutual consent".Coventry City F.C. 1 September 2014.Retrieved2 September2014.
  15. ^ "MK Dons: Carl Baker joins League One side".BBC Sport.26 September 2014.Retrieved29 April2015.
  16. ^ "MK Dons: Baker bags Player of the Year".MK Dons.28 April 2015.Retrieved27 September2015.
  17. ^"Portsmouth 1–1 Carlisle".BBC Sport.6 August 2016.Retrieved9 August2016.
  18. ^"ATK sign former Coventry City skipper Carl Baker for 2017-18 Indian Super League".Hindustan Times.4 September 2017.Retrieved7 October2017.
  19. ^"Ex-Pompey winger ruled out of ISL season".Portsmouth. 30 November 2017.Retrieved12 December2017.
  20. ^"ATK replace Baker with former Newcastle player Taylor".Business Standard.India. 12 December 2017.Retrieved12 December2017.
  21. ^"TRANSFER: Carl Baker Signs For Coventry City".Coventry City F.C. 9 March 2018.Retrieved9 March2018.
  22. ^"NEWS: Carl Baker Leaves Coventry City".Coventry City F.C. 4 May 2018.Retrieved4 May2018.
  23. ^Turner, Andy (31 August 2018)."Former Coventry City favourite Carl Baker joins Boro".Coventry Telegraph.Retrieved10 September2018.
  24. ^Curzon Ashton vs. Nuneaton Borough – 1 September 2018 – Soccerway
  25. ^Turner, Andy (12 January 2019)."Former Sky Blues star parts company with Boro".Coventry Telegraph.Retrieved28 January2019.
  26. ^Smith, Steve (27 January 2019)."Baker bags a brace as super Saints stun Bradford".Banbury Guardian.Retrieved28 January2019.
  27. ^Whitney, Steve (30 July 2020)."Baker Makes Nuneaton Return".Southern Football League.Retrieved24 February2022.
  28. ^Cox, Lewis (25 November 2021)."Carl Baker to help on the pitch and to recruit for AFC Telford".Shropshire Star.Retrieved24 February2022.
  29. ^"Quorn AFC on X".Twitter.25 February 2023.Retrieved26 March2024.
  30. ^ "Baker pulls out of England squad".BBC Sport.7 November 2005.Retrieved30 December2007.
  31. ^ Oliver, Pete (12 February 2006)."England boss has high hopes".BBC Sport.Retrieved30 December2007.
  32. ^ Stone, Alex (16 February 2006)."England give Italy the blues".The Football Association.Archived fromthe originalon 26 March 2006.Retrieved30 December2007.
  33. ^ "Cole sinks Finns".The Football Association.4 June 2007. Archived fromthe originalon 8 July 2008.Retrieved30 December2007.
  34. ^ "Southport suspend Baker for week".BBC Sport.18 October 2006.Retrieved30 December2007.
  35. ^"How an ex-footballer is trying to become a caddie… starting at the US Open".bunkered.co.uk.7 June 2024.
  36. ^"Carl Baker: 2003/2004".Southport Central.Retrieved25 March2024.
  37. ^"Carl Baker: 2004/2005".Southport Central.Retrieved25 March2024.
  38. ^"Carl Baker: 2005/2006".Southport Central.Retrieved25 March2024.
  39. ^"Carl Baker: 2006/2007".Southport Central.Retrieved25 March2024.
  40. ^"Games played by Carl Baker in 2007/2008".Soccerbase.Centurycomm.Retrieved25 March2024.
  41. ^"Games played by Carl Baker in 2008/2009".Soccerbase.Centurycomm.Retrieved25 March2024.
  42. ^ab"Games played by Carl Baker in 2009/2010".Soccerbase.Centurycomm.Retrieved25 March2024.
  43. ^"Games played by Carl Baker in 2010/2011".Soccerbase.Centurycomm.Retrieved25 March2024.
  44. ^"Games played by Carl Baker in 2011/2012".Soccerbase.Centurycomm.Retrieved25 March2024.
  45. ^"Games played by Carl Baker in 2012/2013".Soccerbase.Centurycomm.Retrieved25 March2024.
  46. ^"Games played by Carl Baker in 2013/2014".Soccerbase.Centurycomm.Retrieved25 March2024.
  47. ^"Games played by Carl Baker in 2014/2015".Soccerbase.Centurycomm.Retrieved25 March2024.
  48. ^"Games played by Carl Baker in 2015/2016".Soccerbase.Centurycomm.Retrieved25 March2024.
  49. ^"Games played by Carl Baker in 2016/2017".Soccerbase.Centurycomm.Retrieved25 March2024.
  50. ^"Games played by Carl Baker in 2017/2018".Soccerbase.Centurycomm.Retrieved25 March2024.
  51. ^abcdeCarl Bakerat Soccerway. Retrieved 26 January 2019.
  52. ^ab"Carl Baker | Player Profile".www.aylesburyunitedarchive.com.Retrieved25 March2024.
  53. ^"Carl Baker player stats | United Counties Football League".fulltime.thefa.com.Retrieved25 March2024.
  54. ^"Prescot Cables F.C. Prescot Cables F.C.: Prescot Cables F.C. Players, Carl Baker, Bill Bradbury, Peteprescot Cables F.C. Players, Carl Baker."BetterWorldBooks.Retrieved5 September2018.
  55. ^"League One: 2014/15: Latest table".Soccerbase.Centurycomm.Retrieved5 December2017.
  56. ^"'He owes the club nothing' – Coventry City fans react as Carl Baker heads to India ".Coventry Telegraph.6 September 2017.Retrieved5 September2018.
  57. ^"Leading Scorer, POTY & Goal Of Season".Southport Football Club.Retrieved26 March2024.
  58. ^Crowley, Kieran (28 April 2013)."'The proudest moment of my career'".Coventry City FC.Retrieved26 March2024.
  59. ^"Carl Baker named Sky Bet League One Player of the Month".The Football League.5 December 2014.Retrieved27 September2015.
  60. ^"Former Coventry City captain Carl Baker 'speechless' after being named MK Dons Player of the Year".Coventry Telegraph.29 April 2015.Retrieved5 September2018.
[edit]
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