Baker: James William (Jim)

1920-1926 (Player Details)

Centre Half

Born: Basford Green, Staffordshire: 15-11-1891

Debut v Port Vale (a): 28-08-1920

5’8 1/2 11st 8lb (1925)

One of three brothers who played League football, Alf of Arsenal and England fame and Aaron, who played fleetingly for Leeds, Sheffield Wednesday and Luton Town. He started with Eastwood Rangers and Ilkeston Town before joining Derby County in 1911 and then playing for Portsmouth without making their first teams. He moved to Hartlepool United in 1912 and made his debut for them on 2nd September 1912 at Gateshead. He was a vital player for the "Monkey Hangers" and was an everpresent for almost two seasons, making sixty-nine League appearances and scoring ten goals, including two from the spot, and played another ten games in other games. He played his last game for the club at Carlisle on 30th April 1914, before he joined Huddersfield Town in May 1914. At the time Huddersfield Town were managed by Arthur Fairclough, who later became United’s first Manager and signed him for Leeds in August 1920. He played fifty-six games at Leeds Road and scored three goals, one of which came from a penalty. Nicknamed “T’Owd War Hoss”, Jim was United’s first Captain and completed one hundred and forty-nine consecutive League and Cup appearances for Leeds. Although small for a central defender, he starred there until moved to Wing-half as Ernie Hart established himself. His consistency and leadership were important platforms on which the new club was built. He captained United to promotion in 1923-24 before leaving for Third Division North side, Nelson, in June 1926 where he made twenty-six League appearances and scored six goals, four of which were from the penalty spot. He later played Non-League football for Colne Valley FC. Baker scouted for United and served on the board from 1959-61. He became a publican, running the Smyth’s Arms in Whitehall Road, Leeds and later the Mexborough Arms in Chapeltown. He died on 13th December 1966 aged seventy-five.