Paul Baker

Early career and Carlisle United

Born in Newcastle upon Tyne, Baker played for Wallsend Boys Club and Bishop Auckland before joining Southampton in July 1984 for a fee of £4,000. Baker did not make a league appearance for Southampton and joined Carlisle United on a free transfer in July 1985. He established himself in Carlisle's first team and made 71 league appearances, scoring 11 goals, during two seasons with the club.

Hartlepool United

In July 1987, Baker joined Hartlepool United on a free transfer. He became a regular goalscorer for the club and formed a forward partnership with Joe Allon. During his first spell at Victoria Park, Baker made 197 league appearances and scored 67 goals. Baker was part of the Hartlepool side that won promotion from the Football League Fourth Division in 1990–91. He scored 18 league goals during the promotion season as Hartlepool finished third in the division. Across his two spells at Hartlepool, Baker scored 93 goals in 279 appearances in all competitions, placing him among the club's leading goalscorers. Baker left Hartlepool in August 1992 to join Scottish club Motherwell for a fee of £77,500.

Motherwell and Gillingham

Baker joined Motherwell in August 1992 after five seasons with Hartlepool United. He made nine league appearances and scored once during his short spell in Scotland. In January 1993, Baker returned to England to join Gillingham. He joined a Gillingham side fighting to retain its place in the…

Hartlepool United and Blyth Spartans

Baker began combining playing with coaching during his second spell at Hartlepool United. In 1999, following the departure of Mick Tait, Baker and Brian Honour briefly took joint caretaker charge of the first team. After finishing his playing career, Baker moved into non-League management. In November 2002, he was appointed manager of Blyth Spartans, where he had previously played. Baker remained in charge at Croft Park until September 2004. He was succeeded, following a brief caretaker spell by Graham Fenton, by Harry Dunn, who returned for a second spell as manager. Baker subsequently worked within the academy setup at Newcastle United before returning to senior management.

Newcastle Benfield

In September 2005, Baker was appointed manager of Northern League club Newcastle Benfield. During the 2006–07 season, he led the club to the fourth qualifying round of the FA Cup for the first time in its history. Newcastle Benfield also won the Northern League Cup in 2007, defeating Nissan 1–0 in the final. Baker resigned as manager in December 2007.

Newcastle Blue Star

In March 2008, Baker joined Newcastle Blue Star as assistant manager to Tommy Cassidy. Later that month, Cassidy left the club and Baker was appointed manager. His spell in charge was brief, and he left Newcastle Blue Star in May 2008 to take up a scouting position with Norwich City.

Norwich City

In May 2008, Baker left his position as manager of Newcastle Blue Star to join Norwich City as a scout. Norwich were managed at the time by former Newcastle United manager Glenn Roeder.

Hartlepool United

Baker later returned to Hartlepool United in a scouting capacity. By 2013, he was working as a scout for the club.

Newcastle United

Baker subsequently joined the academy recruitment operation at Newcastle United. In December 2016, he was reported to have been appointed to a scouting role focused on identifying young players in Europe. Baker later took on a senior role within Newcastle's academy recruitment structure. In January 2021, the club identified him as the academy's Head of National and International Recruitment when announcing the signings of three youth players: Cameron Ferguson, Charlie Wiggett and Remi Savage. Interim academy manager Steve Harper credited Baker and his recruitment team for their work in bringing the players to the club. Baker has continued to work within Newcastle's academy scouting and recruitment structure.

Player

Hartlepool United

Football League Fourth Division promotion: 1990–91

Manager

Newcastle Benfield

Northern League Cup: 2006–07