Joseph Henry Baker, born Liverpool, England, July 17, 1940. A centre-forward with immense talent, Joe Baker scored an astonishing 372 goals in 615 appearances in all competitions for his various clubs.
Despite his Liverpool birthplace, Joe Baker’s footballing roots were firmly embedded in Scotland. When the family settled in Scotland, Baker’s early footballing education took place in the rough and competitive world of Scottish junior football, where raw talent had to be complemented by a rugged determination to succeed. Baker’s exceptional ability quickly became evident during his time at Coltness United, and it wasn’t long before he was snapped up by Hibernian where his professional career took off in 1957 Baker’s natural pace, athleticism, and goal-scoring instinct made an immediate impact. In particular, Baker’s performances as a 17-year-old during his debut season were nothing short of phenomenal. In the 1958 Scottish Cup quarter-final against Heart of Midlothian, Baker not only displayed his brilliance but also wrote himself into Hibernian folklore by scoring all four goals in an entertaining and thrilling 4-3 victory over their Edinburgh rivals.
That same year, Baker also featured in the 1958 Scottish Cup Final, where Hibs narrowly lost 1-0 to Clyde. Despite the defeat, his contributions were already solidifying his reputation. During his time at Hibernian, Baker earned a reputation as an exceptionally lethal forward, with a record that spoke volumes. Over four consecutive seasons, Baker was Hibernian’s top scorer, but the 1959-60 season was particularly remarkable. During that campaign, Baker netted an astonishing 42 goals in just 33 league games, a feat that still resonates within Scottish football history. In total, Baker scored 159 goals in all competitions for Hibs, marking him as one of the club’s all-time greats. His phenomenal goal-scoring exploits, particularly during the 1959-60 season, were a testament to his prowess in front of goal. Baker combined blistering pace with a predatory instinct for finishing, making him a constant threat to opposition defenses. Despite his relatively modest height, he was also adept with headers, showcasing his versatility and determination in the box. However, while his individual brilliance was undisputed, Hibernian’s struggles to consistently challenge for major honors meant that Baker’s ambitions began to stretch beyond Scotland.
By 1961, Baker’s desire for a new challenge led him to Italy. His transfer to Torino for a then significant fee of £75,000 marked the start of an eventful, albeit challenging, period in his career. His decision to leave Hibernian was largely driven by financial considerations—after the club board refused to increase his wage from £12 to £17 per week, despite his incredible goal tally. The Italian adventure, however, would prove to be a difficult chapter for Baker, filled with both moments of brilliance and perilous obstacles. Upon his arrival at Torino, Baker faced the daunting task of adapting to a new culture and a different style of football. Italian football in the early 1960s was far more defensive and tactical compared to the high-paced, open play of British football, and adjusting to this new environment took time. Nevertheless, Baker showcased his class by scoring crucial goals, including one in the fiercely contested Turin derby against Juventus—a match that instantly endeared him to the Torino faithful. Yet Baker’s time in Italy was also marked by personal challenges. He struggled with the press intrusion and the isolation of living in a foreign country. Alongside teammate Denis Law, Baker found solace in the confines of their Turin apartment, as both players dealt with the scrutiny of the Italian media. Baker’s time at Torino almost came to a tragic end when he was involved in a serious car crash, which required life-saving surgery and saw him spend over a month on a drip feed. This period of recovery was both physically and mentally draining for the young striker, and it contributed to his decision to return to British football after just one season in Italy.
In July 1962, Joe Baker made his return to the UK, joining Arsenal for a then-club record fee of £70,000. This transfer marked a significant moment in Baker’s career as he sought to re-establish himself as one of the top forwards in British football. His time at Arsenal proved to be immensely successful on a personal level, as he quickly became the Gunners’ most reliable source of goals. Baker’s debut for Arsenal came on August 18, 1962, against Leyton Orient, and he wasted little time in making an impression. Over the course of four seasons at Highbury, Baker was the club’s top scorer in three separate campaigns: 1962-63, 1964-65, and 1965-66. His total of 100 goals in 156 games places him among the most prolific forwards in Arsenal’s history. Known for his lightning-quick acceleration, sharp movement, and clinical finishing, Baker formed a formidable attacking partnership with Geoff Strong. Together, they spearheaded Arsenal’s attack with flair and efficiency. However, Arsenal as a team failed to match Baker’s attacking prowess with a solid defense, and as a result, they struggled to finish higher than 7th place in the league during Baker’s time at the club. Despite this, Baker’s contributions to Arsenal’s attacking play made him one of the standout players of his era.
Following a slightly underwhelming 1965-66 season, Arsenal decided to part ways with Baker, selling him to Nottingham Forest for £65,000. Baker’s arrival at Forest coincided with one of the club’s most successful campaigns in its history. In the 1966-67 season, Baker played an instrumental role as Forest finished as runners-up in the First Division, just behind Manchester United, the eventual champions and the club that would go on to win the European Cup the following season. Baker’s time at Forest, however, was not without its challenges. During that season, he suffered a significant injury in an FA Cup match against Everton, which kept him out for the remainder of the campaign. Forest’s form suffered in his absence, with the team winning only three of their remaining league games and losing the FA Cup semi-final to Tottenham Hotspur. Despite the injury setbacks, Baker scored 41 goals in 118 league games during his three-year stint at Forest.
In 1969, Baker made another move, this time to Sunderland for £30,000. His time at Sunderland was relatively brief, but he continued to show his quality as a goal scorer. After two seasons at the club, Baker decided to return to Scotland, marking the beginning of the twilight phase of his playing career. In 1971, Baker returned to Hibernian for a second spell, and although his time back at Easter Road did not reach the same heights as his earlier years, he still managed to score 12 goals in 30 appearances. His presence brought back memories of his golden period in Scottish football, and although his pace had slightly diminished, his goal-scoring instinct remained intact. Baker rounded off his playing career with a brief spell at Raith Rovers before retiring from professional football in 1974. By the end of his career, Baker had amassed an impressive 301 league goals in 507 games, a remarkable achievement that underscored his status as one of Britain’s finest forwards. After hanging up his boots, Baker briefly delved into football management, taking charge of Albion Rovers in 1974. However, his managerial career never quite took off in the same way as his playing days. Despite this, Baker’s influence on the game remained palpable, particularly among the clubs and fans who had the pleasure of witnessing his talent firsthand.
One of the most unique aspects of Joe Baker’s footballing story is his international career. Although Baker’s heart was aligned with Scotland, his place of birth made him eligible to represent England under the rules of the time. Despite his Scottish roots, Baker was selected for the England national team, becoming the first player to be capped for England while playing in the Scottish league. His debut came in 1959 against Northern Ireland, and it was a momentous occasion, as Baker was the first player to represent England without having played for an English club. He earned eight caps in total, five of which came while he was at Hibs and three while playing for Arsenal. Despite his international potential, Baker’s time with the England team was relatively brief. Although he scored in a 2-0 win over Spain, he failed to secure a place in the squad for the 1966 World Cup, a disappointment that left him feeling unfulfilled on the international stage.