| Personal information | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Full name | Carl Paul Baker | ||
| Date of birth | 26 December 1982 | ||
| Place of birth | Whiston, Liverpool, England | ||
| Height | 6 ft 2 in (1.88 m) | ||
| Playing position | Winger, Attacking midfielder | ||
| Club information | |||
| Current club | Coventry City | ||
| Number | 8 | ||
| Youth career | |||
| Liverpool | |||
| Senior career* | |||
| Years | Team | Apps† | (Gls)† |
| 2003 | Prescot Cables | ||
| 2003–2007 | Southport | 118 | (31) |
| 2007–2008 | Morecambe | 42 | (10) |
| 2008–2010 | Stockport County | 42 | (12) |
| 2010– | Coventry City | 58 | (2) |
| National team‡ | |||
| 2006–2007 | England C | 2 | (0) |
| * Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only and correct as of 14:06, 11 September 2011 (UTC). † Appearances (Goals). |
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Carl Paul Baker (born 26 December 1982) is an English footballer who plays as a winger or as an attacking midfielder for Coventry City. He has also played for the Middlesex Wanderers touring team.[1]
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Born in Whiston, Merseyside, Baker started his career with Liverpool at schoolboy level before playing for Prescot Cables.[2] He signed for Southport in 2003.
Spotted playing for Prescot by Southport manager, Liam Watson, Baker was quickly snapped up by the Merseyside club, and quickly established himself as one of non-league's exciting talents. He was an important member of the Southport Conference North Championship winning team in the 2004–05 season.[2] In 2005 he was a member of the Middlesex Wanderers touring team that visited Japan. [3]
After again playing an important role in helping keep Southport in the Conference National in 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.
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. 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]
On 11 July 2007 he signed for Football League Two newcomers, Morecambe for a club record, though undisclosed fee.[5] He signed a three year contract with Morecambe. [6][7] In August 2007 Baker scored Morecambes first goal when they beat Football League Championship club Wolverhampton Wanderers 3–1 in extra time in an Carling Cup match.[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 the 2006–07, beating his new Morecambe team-mate Adam Yates to the prize.[9]
On 22 July 2008, Baker signed a three-year contract at Stockport County, with the club paying Morecambe a fee that could rise to a figure of £225,000 for his services.
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.
The 2009–10 season started well for Baker on the pitch and is now thought to be one of Stockport's main assets. As of Mid-October he's County's leading scorer with 10 goals. Baker became the first County player to score successive away hat-tricks, with stunning performances against Brighton & Hove Albion & Crewe. Baker scored his 10th goal-of-the-season for Stockport from the penalty spot in the game away to Tranmere Rovers, which was live on Sky – 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 Ablett told reporters that Baker has signed a deal with Championship side Coventry City. Baker's last game for Stockport County was against League 1 leaders Leeds United in which he scored a freekick. The goal was his 13th goal of the season.
Coventry confirmed Baker as the club's fourth permanent signing in the January 2010 transfer window on 8 January 2010.[10] Baker joined Coventry for an undisclosed fee, which was confirmed by him in person as being £300,000.[11] 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.[12] On 10 August 2010, Baker returned to former club Morecambe, in a League Cup First Round tie. Coventry fell to a 2–0 defeat.
In November 2005 Baker was called up to the England C squad, but was recalled by Southport due to an FA Cup replay against Woking.[13] However he was called up again for a match against Italy on 15 February 2006,[14] which England won 3–1.[15] He played for England C in their 1–0 win over Finland on 1 June 2007. [16]
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 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".[17]
On 16 September 2009 it was confirmed that Baker's older brother (Michael) had died of leukemia; despite that Carl went on to play just two days later and score 2 goals in Stockport's 2–2 draw with Yeovil Town; his other brother has also been diagnosed with leukemia.
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