Alf Baker
| Personal information | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Full name | Alfred Baker | ||
| Date of birth | 27 April 1898 | ||
| Place of birth | Ilkeston, Derbyshire, England | ||
| Date of death | 1 April 1955 (aged 56) | ||
| Playing position | Right-half; Right-back | ||
| Senior career* | |||
| Years | Team | Apps | (Gls) |
| –1919 | Eastwood Rangers | ||
| 1919–1931 | Arsenal | 310 | (23) |
| National team | |||
| 1927 | England | 1 | (0) |
| * Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only. |
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Alfred Baker (27 April 1898 – April 1955) 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 nicknamed) 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.
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