Gerry Baker
Encyclopedia
Gerard Austin "Gerry" Baker (born 11 April 1938, New York City
) was an American
-born British
football (soccer)
player. From 1955 until 1970, he played sixteen seasons in either the Scottish or English first division. He also earned seven caps, scoring two goals, with the U.S. national team
in 1968 and 1969.
, where his parents were settled. When he was a year old, his parents moved to Liverpool
when his father decided to return to the United Kingdom, in order to aid the country during the Second World War. His father died in the war and his family were evacuated to Scotland. Baker spent most of his youth in Motherwell, as he attended Park Primary and St. Joseph Secondary schools. He played football for Craigneuk Boys Club and was selected for Lanarkshire Schools. He signed with Larkhall Thistle when he was fourteen and played in six games.
He transferred to Chelsea
in May 1955 and played in their youth and third team in the 1955–56 season. The following season he appeared in six games for their reserves (scoring four goals), plus their third team. Baker made one appearance for the Chelsea first team, playing against Luton Town in a Southern Floodlight Cup match on 26 September 1956. He returned to Scotland in late 1956 due to homesickness.
, where he played as outside left, in December 1956. Over the next three years, he played thirteen games, scoring four goals, with the first team. Motherwell transferred Baker to St. Mirren
during the 1958–59 season, as he was unable to oust Ian St. John
and Pat Quinn
from their team.
He scored the winning goal for St. Mirren on his debut, a 2–1 victory against a Hibs
team containing his brother Joe
. On 25 April 1959, he scored the third goal in St Mirren's 3–1 victory against Aberdeen
in the 1959 Scottish Cup Final. That was his eighth goal of the 1958–59 Scottish Cup, as he scored in every round. On 30 January 1960, he scored ten goals in a 15–0 win over Glasgow University. Baker was the club's top goalscorer in both ther 1958–59 and 1959–60 seasons.
By this time, top English clubs were beginning to notice Baker and in November 1960, Manchester City
paid £17,000 for Baker. Baker spent only the remainder of the 1960–1961 season and the beginning of the 1961–1962 season with City, before they sold his contract to Hibernian
for £18,000 in November 1961. Over the next two years, Baker scored 43 goals in 84 games for Hibs before moving Ipswich Town
in December 1963. Ipswich paid £25,000 for Baker and Baker more than returned this investment by scoring 66 goals in 151 games. Ipswich then transferred Baker to Coventry City
in November 1967. Over the next two season, Baker scored only six times in thirty games with Coventry. In October 1969, Coventry loaned Baker to Brentford
where he scored two goals in eight games. Coventry released Baker at the end of the season.
Baker then signed as a player-manager with non-league Margate
. He was limited by several injuries, first a dislocated shoulder in August 1970, then broken ribs in November. Despite these, Baker played a total of 48 games and scored sixteen goals before leaving the club on 30 September 1971. He then joined Nuneaton Borough before finishing his playing career with Bedworth United
.
, he elected to make himself available for the U.S. team
. Baker joined the U.S. as it began qualifying matches for the 1970 FIFA World Cup
. His first caps came in a 4–2 World Cup qualifying loss to Canada
on 17 October 1968. Over the next month, Baker started six games with the U.S. On 2 November 1968, he scored two goals in a 6–2 qualification victory over Bermuda
. His last game with the U.S. came in a 1–0 loss to Haiti
on 11 May 1969. That loss put the U.S. out of contention for a spot in the finals.
when he was hired as the club’s player-manager. He remained in this position until he left the club in September 1971. He later managed the Coventry Collier team in 1979–80.
international Joe Baker
. Baker's daughters Karen and Lorraine were both athletes; Lorraine placed fifth in the 800 metres
race in the 1984 Summer Olympics
.
New York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
) was an American
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
-born British
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
football (soccer)
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...
player. From 1955 until 1970, he played sixteen seasons in either the Scottish or English first division. He also earned seven caps, scoring two goals, with the U.S. national team
United States men's national soccer team
The United States men's national soccer team represents the United States in international association football competitions. It is controlled by the United States Soccer Federation and competes in CONCACAF...
in 1968 and 1969.
Youth
Baker was born to an English father and Scottish mother when his parents in New Rochelle, New YorkNew Rochelle, New York
New Rochelle is a city in Westchester County, New York, United States, in the southeastern portion of the state.The town was settled by refugee Huguenots in 1688 who were fleeing persecution in France...
, where his parents were settled. When he was a year old, his parents moved to Liverpool
Liverpool
Liverpool is a city and metropolitan borough of Merseyside, England, along the eastern side of the Mersey Estuary. It was founded as a borough in 1207 and was granted city status in 1880...
when his father decided to return to the United Kingdom, in order to aid the country during the Second World War. His father died in the war and his family were evacuated to Scotland. Baker spent most of his youth in Motherwell, as he attended Park Primary and St. Joseph Secondary schools. He played football for Craigneuk Boys Club and was selected for Lanarkshire Schools. He signed with Larkhall Thistle when he was fourteen and played in six games.
He transferred to Chelsea
Chelsea F.C.
Chelsea Football Club are an English football club based in West London. Founded in 1905, they play in the Premier League and have spent most of their history in the top tier of English football. Chelsea have been English champions four times, FA Cup winners six times and League Cup winners four...
in May 1955 and played in their youth and third team in the 1955–56 season. The following season he appeared in six games for their reserves (scoring four goals), plus their third team. Baker made one appearance for the Chelsea first team, playing against Luton Town in a Southern Floodlight Cup match on 26 September 1956. He returned to Scotland in late 1956 due to homesickness.
Professional
Baker signed with Scottish First Division club MotherwellMotherwell F.C.
Motherwell Football & Athletic Club are a Scottish professional football club based in Motherwell, North Lanarkshire. The club compete in the Scottish Premier League and are one of only seven teams to have remained in this league since it was founded in 1998...
, where he played as outside left, in December 1956. Over the next three years, he played thirteen games, scoring four goals, with the first team. Motherwell transferred Baker to St. Mirren
St. Mirren F.C.
St Mirren Football Club are a Scottish professional football club based in Paisley, Renfrewshire who play in the Scottish Premier League, having been promoted from the First Division in 2005–06.St...
during the 1958–59 season, as he was unable to oust Ian St. John
Ian St. John
Ian St. John is a former Scottish footballer, who played for Scotland 21 times. He later became a manager and pundit...
and Pat Quinn
Pat Quinn (footballer)
Pat Quinn is a Scottish former professional association football player and manager.Quinn began his career in League football at Motherwell under the management of Bobby Ancell where he would play alongside other "Ancell's Babes" such as Ian St. John. Quinn would establish himself as a scheming...
from their team.
He scored the winning goal for St. Mirren on his debut, a 2–1 victory against a Hibs
Hibernian F.C.
Hibernian Football Club are a Scottish professional football club based in Leith, in the north of Edinburgh. They are one of two Scottish Premier League clubs in the city, the other being their Edinburgh derby rivals, Hearts...
team containing his brother Joe
Joe Baker
Joseph Henry "Joe" Baker was an England international footballer. Born in Liverpool, England, he spent virtually his entire childhood growing up in Motherwell, Scotland...
. On 25 April 1959, he scored the third goal in St Mirren's 3–1 victory against Aberdeen
Aberdeen F.C.
Aberdeen Football Club are a Scottish professional football club based in Aberdeen...
in the 1959 Scottish Cup Final. That was his eighth goal of the 1958–59 Scottish Cup, as he scored in every round. On 30 January 1960, he scored ten goals in a 15–0 win over Glasgow University. Baker was the club's top goalscorer in both ther 1958–59 and 1959–60 seasons.
By this time, top English clubs were beginning to notice Baker and in November 1960, Manchester City
Manchester City F.C.
Manchester City Football Club is an English Premier League football club based in Manchester. Founded in 1880 as St. Mark's , they became Ardwick Association Football Club in 1887 and Manchester City in 1894...
paid £17,000 for Baker. Baker spent only the remainder of the 1960–1961 season and the beginning of the 1961–1962 season with City, before they sold his contract to Hibernian
Hibernian F.C.
Hibernian Football Club are a Scottish professional football club based in Leith, in the north of Edinburgh. They are one of two Scottish Premier League clubs in the city, the other being their Edinburgh derby rivals, Hearts...
for £18,000 in November 1961. Over the next two years, Baker scored 43 goals in 84 games for Hibs before moving Ipswich Town
Ipswich Town F.C.
Ipswich Town Football Club are an English professional football team based in Ipswich, Suffolk. As of 2011, they play in the Football League Championship, having last appeared in the Premier League in 2001–02....
in December 1963. Ipswich paid £25,000 for Baker and Baker more than returned this investment by scoring 66 goals in 151 games. Ipswich then transferred Baker to Coventry City
Coventry City F.C.
Coventry City Football Club, otherwise known as the Sky Blues owing to the traditional colour of their strip, are a professional English Football league club based in Coventry...
in November 1967. Over the next two season, Baker scored only six times in thirty games with Coventry. In October 1969, Coventry loaned Baker to Brentford
Brentford F.C.
Brentford Football Club are a professional English football club based in Brentford in the London Borough of Hounslow. They are currently playing in Football League One....
where he scored two goals in eight games. Coventry released Baker at the end of the season.
Baker then signed as a player-manager with non-league Margate
Margate F.C.
Margate Football Club is an English football team based in the seaside resort of Margate, Kent, currently playing in the Isthmian League Premier Division. The club was known for a number of years during the 1980s as Thanet United....
. He was limited by several injuries, first a dislocated shoulder in August 1970, then broken ribs in November. Despite these, Baker played a total of 48 games and scored sixteen goals before leaving the club on 30 September 1971. He then joined Nuneaton Borough before finishing his playing career with Bedworth United
Bedworth United F.C.
Bedworth United Football Club is a football club based in Bedworth, Warwickshire, England, currently playing in the Southern League Division One Central....
.
National team
Baker had dual U.S. and English citizenship, and when it became apparent that he would not be selected for the English national teamEngland 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...
, he elected to make himself available for the U.S. team
United States men's national soccer team
The United States men's national soccer team represents the United States in international association football competitions. It is controlled by the United States Soccer Federation and competes in CONCACAF...
. Baker joined the U.S. as it began qualifying matches for the 1970 FIFA World Cup
1970 FIFA World Cup
The 1970 FIFA World Cup, the ninth staging of the World Cup, was held in Mexico, from 31 May to 21 June. The 1970 tournament was the first World Cup hosted in North America, and the first held outside South America and Europe. In a match-up of two-time World Cup champions, the final was won by...
. His first caps came in a 4–2 World Cup qualifying loss to Canada
Canada men's national soccer team
The Canada men's national soccer team represents Canada in international soccer competitions at the senior men's level. They are overseen by the Canadian Soccer Association and compete in the Confederation of North, Central American and Caribbean Association Football .Their most significant...
on 17 October 1968. Over the next month, Baker started six games with the U.S. On 2 November 1968, he scored two goals in a 6–2 qualification victory over Bermuda
Bermuda national football team
The Bermuda national football team is the national team of Bermuda and is controlled by the Bermuda Football Association. A member of CONCACAF, it is not among its strongest teams....
. His last game with the U.S. came in a 1–0 loss to Haiti
Haiti national football team
The Haiti national football team represents Haiti in association football and is controlled by the Fédération Haïtienne de Football, the governing body for football in Haiti. Haiti's home ground is Stade Sylvio Cator in Port-au-Prince and their head coach is Edson Tavares...
on 11 May 1969. That loss put the U.S. out of contention for a spot in the finals.
Coaching
In 1970, Baker entered the managerial ranks at MargateMargate F.C.
Margate Football Club is an English football team based in the seaside resort of Margate, Kent, currently playing in the Isthmian League Premier Division. The club was known for a number of years during the 1980s as Thanet United....
when he was hired as the club’s player-manager. He remained in this position until he left the club in September 1971. He later managed the Coventry Collier team in 1979–80.
Post football career
After retiring from playing professionally, Baker worked at the Coventry Jaguar factory. He was inducted to the St. Mirren Hall of Fame in May 2007.Personal life
He was the brother of the late EnglandEngland 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...
international Joe Baker
Joe Baker
Joseph Henry "Joe" Baker was an England international footballer. Born in Liverpool, England, he spent virtually his entire childhood growing up in Motherwell, Scotland...
. Baker's daughters Karen and Lorraine were both athletes; Lorraine placed fifth in the 800 metres
800 metres
The 800 meter race is a common track running event. It is the shortest common middle distance track event. The 800 meter is run over two laps of the track and has always been an Olympic event. During indoor track season the event is usually run on a 200 meter track, therefore requiring four laps...
race in the 1984 Summer Olympics
1984 Summer Olympics
The 1984 Summer Olympics, officially known as the Games of the XXIII Olympiad, was an international multi-sport event held in Los Angeles, California, United States in 1984...
.