Gerry Baker

Gerard Austin "Gerry" Baker (11 April 1938 – 24 August 2013) was an American soccer player. From 1955 until 1970, he played 16 seasons in either the Scottish or English first division. He earned seven caps with the US national team in 1968 and 1969, scoring two goals. His younger brother was the footballer Joe Baker. Youth Baker was born to an English father and Scottish mother 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.