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Matt Baker (footballer)
Encyclopedia
Matthew Christopher J. Baker (born 18 December 1979 in Harrogate
, England
) is an English
former footballer
who played as a goalkeeper
and a Conservative
Politician running to be a councillor in Leeds
.
as a schoolboy. However he was signed as an apprentice at Hull City
in 1996 and progressed through the youth ranks and turned professional in 1998. However he suffered a knee injury which sidelined him for a season, but he eventually made two substitute appearances for the first team. He also made a sub appearance in the League Cup
against Liverpool
at Anfield
, after Lee Bracey was sent off. He was released, after a spell on loan at Bradford Park Avenue
, in 2000.
He was snapped up by Hereford United
of the Conference
, where he was second choice goalkeeper to Scott Cooksey
in the 2000-01 season, although he started two league matches conceding a goal in each. However a serious wrist injury forced Cooksey onto the sidelines, and eventually into retirement, meaning Baker started the 2001-02 season as first choice keeper. He quickly established himself in the team and played all but five first team matches that season. Most notably he had an inspired performance in the FA Cup
against future club Wrexham, a match which was televised live by the BBC
, as Hereford won 1-0.
The following season he gained experience training with Aston Villa
, and was an ever-present in the first team. He repeated this consistency in the 2003-04 season where Hereford came close to promotion to the Football League, a season which turned out to be his last for Hereford. During this period he also made four appearances for the English semi-professional side
.
In the summer of 2004 he signed for Wrexham
. However he spent only six months at the Racecourse Ground
before signing for MK Dons
, for whom he made over 60 first team appearances. Two years later he signed for Conference side Weymouth
on a free transfer. However he is yet to make a first team appearance for the Terras, and due to his not featuring in any pre-season friendlies for Weymouth in 2007-2008, since returning from his loan spell at Rushden & Diamonds
it would seem he has not renewed his contract with the Dorset club.
On 2 March 2007 he was loaned to Rushden & Diamonds
. On 20 July he joined Macclesfield Town
on trial and was reported to be doing well. On 22 August 2007, however, a local Milton Keynes newspaper announced that he had been forced to retire following a serious knee injury while on trial at Macclesfield.
Shortly afterwards he became a reporter for Dons World, the Milton Keynes Dons' official web TV station, having started a degree in Sports Writing and Broadcast Journalism in 2006. He graduated from Staffordshire University
with a degree in Professional Sports Writing and Broadcasting in summer of 2008.
member and a local resident of Weetwood Ward
, where he stood (and lost) to be a Leeds
City Councillor in the 2010 local elections.
Harrogate
Harrogate is a spa town in North Yorkshire, England. The town is a tourist destination and its visitor attractions include its spa waters, RHS Harlow Carr gardens, and Betty's Tea Rooms. From the town one can explore the nearby Yorkshire Dales national park. Harrogate originated in the 17th...
, England
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
) is an English
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
former footballer
Football (soccer)
Association football, more commonly known as football or soccer, is a sport played between two teams of eleven players with a spherical ball...
who played as a goalkeeper
Goalkeeper (football)
In association football, the goalkeeper occupies a position that represents the last line of defence between the opponent's offence and his own team's goal. The primary role of the goalkeeper is to defend his team's goal and prevent the opposition from scoring a goal...
and a Conservative
Conservative Party (UK)
The Conservative Party, formally the Conservative and Unionist Party, is a centre-right political party in the United Kingdom that adheres to the philosophies of conservatism and British unionism. It is the largest political party in the UK, and is currently the largest single party in the House...
Politician running to be a councillor in Leeds
Leeds
Leeds is a city and metropolitan borough in West Yorkshire, England. In 2001 Leeds' main urban subdivision had a population of 443,247, while the entire city has a population of 798,800 , making it the 30th-most populous city in the European Union.Leeds is the cultural, financial and commercial...
.
Football career
Baker comes from Leeds, and played for four years with Leeds City Boys. He was originally on the books of Leeds UnitedLeeds United A.F.C.
Leeds United Association Football Club are an English professional association football club based in Beeston, Leeds, West Yorkshire, who play in the Football League Championship, the second tier of the English football league system...
as a schoolboy. However he was signed as an apprentice at Hull City
Hull City A.F.C.
Hull City Association Football Club is an English association football club based in Kingston upon Hull, East Riding of Yorkshire, founded in 1904. The club participates in the Football League Championship, the second tier of English football...
in 1996 and progressed through the youth ranks and turned professional in 1998. However he suffered a knee injury which sidelined him for a season, but he eventually made two substitute appearances for the first team. He also made a sub appearance in the League Cup
Football League Cup
The Football League Cup, commonly known as the League Cup or, from current sponsorship, the Carling Cup, is an English association football competition. Like the FA Cup, it is played on a knockout basis...
against Liverpool
Liverpool F.C.
Liverpool Football Club is an English Premier League football club based in Liverpool, Merseyside. Liverpool has won eighteen League titles, second most in English football, seven FA Cups and a record seven League Cups...
at Anfield
Anfield
Anfield is an association football stadium in the district of Anfield, Liverpool, England, with a seating capacity of 45,522. It has been the home of Liverpool F.C. since their formation in 1892 and was originally the home of Everton F.C. from 1884 to 1892, before they moved to Goodison Park...
, after Lee Bracey was sent off. He was released, after a spell on loan at Bradford Park Avenue
Bradford Park Avenue A.F.C.
Bradford Association Football Club, previously also known as Bradford and since its reformation in the 1970s now referred to as Bradford Park Avenue, is a football club based in Bradford, West Yorkshire, England...
, in 2000.
He was snapped up by Hereford United
Hereford United F.C.
Hereford United Football Club is an English professional football club based in the city of Hereford. Founded in 1924, they are competing in Football League Two in the 2011–12 season. Hereford have played at Edgar Street for their entire history and are nicknamed 'The Whites' or 'The Lilywhites',...
of the Conference
Conference National
Conference National is the top division of the Football Conference in England. It is the highest level of the National League System and fifth highest of the overall English football league system...
, where he was second choice goalkeeper to Scott Cooksey
Scott Cooksey
Scott Andrew Cooksey is a former English professional footballer, who played as a goalkeeper. During his career, he played for a number of professional and semi professional clubs, including Derby County, Shrewsbury Town, Peterborough United, Hednesford Town and Hereford United...
in the 2000-01 season, although he started two league matches conceding a goal in each. However a serious wrist injury forced Cooksey onto the sidelines, and eventually into retirement, meaning Baker started the 2001-02 season as first choice keeper. He quickly established himself in the team and played all but five first team matches that season. Most notably he had an inspired performance in the FA Cup
FA Cup
The Football Association Challenge Cup, commonly known as the FA Cup, is a knockout cup competition in English football and is the oldest association football competition in the world. The "FA Cup" is run by and named after The Football Association and usually refers to the English men's...
against future club Wrexham, a match which was televised live by the BBC
BBC
The British Broadcasting Corporation is a British public service broadcaster. Its headquarters is at Broadcasting House in the City of Westminster, London. It is the largest broadcaster in the world, with about 23,000 staff...
, as Hereford won 1-0.
The following season he gained experience training with Aston Villa
Aston Villa F.C.
Aston Villa Football Club is an English professional association football club based in Witton, Birmingham. The club was founded in 1874 and have played at their current home ground, Villa Park, since 1897. Aston Villa were founder members of The Football League in 1888. They were also founder...
, and was an ever-present in the first team. He repeated this consistency in the 2003-04 season where Hereford came close to promotion to the Football League, a season which turned out to be his last for Hereford. During this period he also made four appearances for the English semi-professional side
England National Game XI
The England C National Football Team is the football team that represents England at non-league level. Formed in 1979 as the England Non-League team, it features players who play for clubs outside of the Football League...
.
In the summer of 2004 he signed for Wrexham
Wrexham A.F.C.
Wrexham Football Club are a professional football team based in Wrexham, north-east Wales, who play in the English football pyramid.Founded in 1872, they are one of the oldest surviving football clubs in Britain and the oldest professional club in Wales...
. However he spent only six months at the Racecourse Ground
Racecourse Ground
The Glyndŵr University Racecourse Stadium AKA The Racecourse Ground is a stadium located in Wrexham, North Wales. It is the home of Wrexham F.C. and, since 2010, the Crusaders Rugby League team who play in the engage Super League...
before signing for MK Dons
Milton Keynes Dons F.C.
.Milton Keynes Dons Football Club is an English professional football club founded in 2004 and based since 2007 at Stadium mk, Milton Keynes, Buckinghamshire...
, for whom he made over 60 first team appearances. Two years later he signed for Conference side Weymouth
Weymouth F.C.
Weymouth F.C. are an English football club based in the town of Weymouth, who currently play in the Southern League Premier Division.-History:Weymouth Football Club were founded in 1890 and played their first game on 24 September of that year...
on a free transfer. However he is yet to make a first team appearance for the Terras, and due to his not featuring in any pre-season friendlies for Weymouth in 2007-2008, since returning from his loan spell at Rushden & Diamonds
Rushden & Diamonds F.C.
Rushden & Diamonds Football Club was an association football club based in Irthlingborough, Northamptonshire, England. Formed by a merger of Rushden Town and Irthlingborough Diamonds in 1992, the club played in the Conference National following a short spell in the Football League at the start of...
it would seem he has not renewed his contract with the Dorset club.
On 2 March 2007 he was loaned to Rushden & Diamonds
Rushden & Diamonds F.C.
Rushden & Diamonds Football Club was an association football club based in Irthlingborough, Northamptonshire, England. Formed by a merger of Rushden Town and Irthlingborough Diamonds in 1992, the club played in the Conference National following a short spell in the Football League at the start of...
. On 20 July he joined Macclesfield Town
Macclesfield Town F.C.
Macclesfield Town Football Club is an English football team. The club was formed in 1874 and is based in the town of Macclesfield in Cheshire. The team play its home games at the 6,355 capacity Moss Rose stadium...
on trial and was reported to be doing well. On 22 August 2007, however, a local Milton Keynes newspaper announced that he had been forced to retire following a serious knee injury while on trial at Macclesfield.
Shortly afterwards he became a reporter for Dons World, the Milton Keynes Dons' official web TV station, having started a degree in Sports Writing and Broadcast Journalism in 2006. He graduated from Staffordshire University
Staffordshire University
Staffordshire University is a university with its main campus based in the city of Stoke-on-Trent, and with other campuses in Stafford, Lichfield and Shrewsbury.- History :...
with a degree in Professional Sports Writing and Broadcasting in summer of 2008.
Political career
Matt is an active Conservative PartyConservative Party (UK)
The Conservative Party, formally the Conservative and Unionist Party, is a centre-right political party in the United Kingdom that adheres to the philosophies of conservatism and British unionism. It is the largest political party in the UK, and is currently the largest single party in the House...
member and a local resident of Weetwood Ward
Weetwood
Weetwood is an area between Headingley and Meanwood in north-west Leeds, West Yorkshire, England. It is bounded on the north by the A6120 , on the west by the A660 , on the east by Meanwood Beck and to the south by Hollin Lane...
, where he stood (and lost) to be a Leeds
City of Leeds
The City of Leeds is a local government district of West Yorkshire, England, governed by Leeds City Council, with the status of a city and metropolitan borough. The metropolitan district includes Leeds and the towns of Farsley, Garforth, Guiseley, Horsforth, Morley, Otley, Pudsey, Rothwell,...
City Councillor in the 2010 local elections.