Portsmouth title winner Carl Baker lined-up for 20th season after non-league switch

Pompey League Two title winner Carl Baker has joined Nuneaton Borough – marking his 20th season in football.
Neil Allen
By Neil Allen
Published 29th Jul 2020, 13:49 BST
Carl Baker marked his August 2016 debut for Pompey with a goal against Carlisle. Picture: Joe PeplerCarl Baker marked his August 2016 debut for Pompey with a goal against Carlisle. Picture: Joe Pepler
Carl Baker marked his August 2016 debut for Pompey with a goal against Carlisle. Picture: Joe Pepler

The 37-year-old shows no signs of hanging up the boots, pledging himself to the forthcoming 2020-21 campaign.

Having in consecutive years lost in the play-offs for Vanarama National League North side Brackley Town, Baker has elected to move closer to his Solihull home.

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That has brought him to Borough, who operate in the BetVictor Southern League Central Division.

Baker’s final Football League club was Pompey, where he made 50 appearances and scored nine goals.

He was a mainstay of Paul Cook’s side which claimed the 2016-17 League Two title, notably scoring in two of the final three matches, both resulting in wins.

After leaving Fratton Park in August 2017, following Kenny Jackett’s arrival as boss, he joined Indian Super League franchise ATK and then Coventry, before dropping into non-league.

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Earlier this month, he was part of the Brackley team eliminated from the National League North play-offs following a penalty shoot-out defeat to Gateshead.

Now Baker, who turns 38 in December, is eyeing another season at least.

After released by Liverpool at the age of 16 and finding his feet again in non-league football, he went on to enjoy an 11-year Football League career totalling 357 appearances, 64 goals and two promotions.

Baker’s former Fratton Park team-mate and close friend Michael Doyle is also continuing with his playing career.

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The 38-year-old Notts County midfielder has a National League play-off final at Wembley against Harrogate Town on Saturday (August 2).

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Related topics:PortsmouthVanarama National LeagueFratton ParkBrackley TownFootball League

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