Carl Baker

Born in Prescot, Merseyside, Baker started his career with Liverpool at schoolboy level before playing for Prescot Cables. He signed for Southport in 2003.

Southport

Baker's career was forged at Southport. Spotted playing for Prescot by Southport manager Liam 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 Southport Conference North Championship winning team in the 2004–05 season. In 2005, he was a member of the Middlesex Wanderers F.C. that visited Japan. 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.…

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. However, he was called up again for a match against Italy on 15 February 2006, which England won 3–1. He played for England C in their 1–0 win over Finland on 1 June 2007.

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". On 16 September 2009 it was confirmed that Baker's older brother (Michael) had died of leukaemia; 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 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 for Robert Rock.

Southport

Conference North: 2004–05 Milton Keynes Dons

Football League One second-place promotion: 2014–15 Portsmouth

EFL League Two: 2016–17 Individual

Southport Player of the Year: 2006–07 Coventry City Player of the Year: 2012–13 Football League One Player of the Month: November 2014 Milton Keynes Dons Player of the Year: 2014–15