Baker: James William (Jim)

1920-1926 (Player Details)

Centre Half

Born: Basford Green, Staffordshire: 15-11-1891

Debut v Port Vale (a): 28-08-1920

5’8 1/2 11st 8lb (1925)

One of three brothers who played League football, Alf of Arsenal and England fame and Aaron, who played fleetingly for Leeds, Sheffield Wednesday and Luton Town. He started with Eastwood Rangers and Ilkeston Town before joining Derby County, as an amateur, in December 1910 and then playing for Portsmouth, who he joined in September 1912, without making their first teams. He moved to Hartlepool United in July 1912 and made his debut for them on 2nd September 1912 at Gateshead. He was a vital player for the "Monkey Hangers" and was an ever-present for almost two seasons, making sixty-nine League appearances and scoring ten goals, including two from the spot, and played a further ten games in other matches. He played his last game for the club at Carlisle United on 30th April 1914, before he joined Huddersfield Town in May 1914. With Town he was chosen to play at right half. Despite the outbreak of the War, he continued to play for Huddersfield in War-time matches whilst serving in the Royal Navy. Baker helped Huddersfield win promotion to the top flight in the 1919-20 season, scoring three times in nineteen appearances. At the time Huddersfield Town were managed by Arthur Fairclough, who later became United’s first Manager and signed him for Leeds in May 1920. He had played fifty-six games at Leeds Road and scored three goals, one of which came from a penalty. Nicknamed “T’Owd War Hoss”, Jim was United’s first Captain and completed one hundred and forty-nine consecutive League and Cup appearances for Leeds, before missing his first game through injury. Although small for a central defender, he starred there until moved to Wing-half as Ernie Hart established himself. His consistency and leadership were important platforms on which the new club was built. He captained United to promotion in 1923-24 before leaving for Third Division North side, Nelson, in June 1926 for £125. He made his debut for Nelson on 28th August 1926, in a 1-2 defeat at Wigan Borough. He went on to make twenty-eight League appearances and scored six goals, four of which were from the penalty spot, and also played twice in the F.A. Cup. He later played Non-League football for Colne Valley FC. Baker scouted for United and served on the board from 1959-61. He became a publican, running the Smyth’s Arms in Whitehall Road, Leeds and later the Mexborough Arms in Chapeltown. He died, in Leeds, on 13th December 1966 aged seventy-five.