Gerry Baker

Youth Baker was born to Scottish parents in New Rochelle, New York, where they were settled at the time. In 1939, his parents moved for a short while to Liverpool, where Gerry's brother, future England international Joe Baker, was born. Their father volunteered in the Merchant Marine during World War II and died on active service. The family was evacuated to Scotland, and the brothers were raised in Motherwell. He attended Park Primary and St Joseph's Secondary schools. He played football for Craigneuk Boys Club and was selected for Lanarkshire Schools. He signed with Larkhall Thistle when he was fourteen and played in six games.

He transferred to Chelsea in May 1949, aged 17, and played in their youth and third team in the 1955–56 season. The following season, he appeared in six games for their reserves (scoring four goals), plus their third team. He returned to Scotland in late 1956 due to homesickness.

Professional Baker signed with Scottish First Division club Motherwell, where he played as outside left, in December 1956. Over the next three years he played thirteen games with the first team, scoring four goals. Motherwell transferred Baker to St Mirren during the 1958–59 season, as he was unable to oust Ian St John and Pat Quinn from their team. Baker was the club's top goalscorer in both the 1958–59 and 1959–60 seasons. Baker spent only the remainder of the 1960–61 season and the beginning of 1961–62 with City, before they sold his contract to Hibernian for £18,000 in November 1961. That loss put the US out of contention for a spot in the finals.

Coaching In 1970, Baker entered the managerial ranks at Margate when he was hired as the club's player-manager. He remained in this position until he left the club in September 1971. He later managed the Coventry Collier team in 1979–80.

Post-football career After retiring from playing professionally, Baker worked at the Coventry Jaguar factory. Baker was inducted to the St Mirren Hall of Fame in May 2007. He died in August 2013, aged 75.