| Personal information | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Full name | Alfred Baker | ||
| Date of birth | 27 April 1898 | ||
| Place of birth | Ilkeston,Derbyshire, England | ||
| Date of death | 1 April 1955(1955-04-01) (aged 56) | ||
| Height | 5 ft 8 in (1.73 m)[1] | ||
| Position(s) | Right-half; Right-back | ||
| Senior career* | |||
| Years | Team | Apps | (Gls) |
| –1919 | Eastwood Rangers | ||
| 1919–1931 | Arsenal | 310 | (23) |
| International career | |||
| 1927 | England | 1 | (0) |
| *Club domestic league appearances and goals | |||
Alfred Baker (27 April 1898 – April 1955) was an Englishfootballer.
Born inIlkeston,Derbyshire, Baker was originally aminer and played for various clubs in Derbyshire as an amateur, including Eastwood Rangers. DuringWorld War I he guested forChesterfield,Crystal Palace andHuddersfield Town, although these appearances are not considered official. In 1919 he turned professional and signed forArsenal; according to club legend, Arsenal managerLeslie 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 againstNewcastle United on 13 August 1919 (which was Arsenal's first-ever top flight game atHighbury). Baker played seventeen matches that season, but in1920-21 he became a first-team regular; he also had trials forEngland, though it would be another seven years before he won a cap.
AUtility player, "Doughy" (as he wasnicknamed) played in every position for Arsenal, including as an emergencygoalkeeper on several occasions, though usually played as right half. He was made clubcaptain in 1924. In the1924-25 season, Baker won twoFootball League representative caps and also played in theCharity Shield, which was a Professionalsv. Amateurs match; the Professionals won 3–1. However, when new managerHerbert Chapman arrived at the end of that season, he madeCharlie Buchan captain instead of Baker; Baker continued to play for Arsenal for another five years, though.
In1927, Baker played in Arsenal's first everFA Cup final; however Arsenal suffered an infamous 1–0 loss toCardiff City after a mistake by Arsenal goalkeeperDan Lewis. The following season, he was finallycapped for England, appearing againstWales 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's1930 FA Cup final win overHuddersfield 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 brotherJim Baker was also a footballer who played forLeeds United.Baker later worked for Arsenal as a scout. He died in 1955, at the age of 56.[2]
Arsenal
| International | |
|---|---|
| National | |