Frank Baker (footballer)

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Frank Baker (22 October 1918 – 10 December 1989) was an English footballer who played as an outside left, mainly for Stoke City. Born in Stoke-on-Trent and from a footballing family that included his elder brother Horace, he worked as a laundry van driver while playing for Port Vale’s reserves as an amateur before Stoke City signed him in 1936. After a season in the reserves, he made his first-team debut in 1937 and formed a strong left-wing partnership with Freddie Steele, scoring 12 goals in 1937–38 and 10 in 1938–39. The outbreak of World War II interrupted his career; he served in the army and played wartime football, including guest appearances for Sunderland and Linfield, and he took part in the Burnden Park disaster match in 1946. After the war, he moved to inside left and helped Stoke’s left-wing pairing with Alexander Ormston, coming close to winning the First Division. A series of serious injuries—arm and leg breaks—in 1947–49 cut his playing days short, and he retired in 1951 after rehabilitation. He later ran a fish-and-chip shop in Fenton, coached Stoke’s A team, and managed non-league Foley. He died in 1989 at the age of 71.

Career statistics:
Stoke City: 162 league appearances, 32 goals (174 appearances in all competitions, 33 goals). Also played for Port Vale (reserves), Stafford Rangers, and Leek Town.