Graham Baker

[Gemmel]

I was reading a piece on Woking this morning with a quote from their manager "Graham Barker". Thinking this was our old boy , I read on with more interest, only to discover it was Barker, not Baker.

Anyway, set me thinking, does anybody know what ever happened to Graham Baker? Good little player in his day, but not really spoken about considering he was part of the "Golden Era"

[Kadeem Hardison]

Last I heard he he was managing a lower division team. Maybe Woking?

[The Majestic Channon]

No the manager of woking is our very own graham baker!

I will never forget his volley against everton in the snow.

[The Majestic Channon]

[John B]

No the manager of woking is our very own graham baker!

I will never forget his volley against everton in the snow.

 

Yes

 

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Graham_Baker

[chocco boxo]

No the manager of woking is our very own graham baker!

I will never forget his volley against everton in the snow.

 

Loved that match, featured on Match of the Day, Gordon Lee the Everton Manager was moaning like **** that the game should have not been played. After that match I so wanted to play on an icy pitch, me and a mate flooded our back garden during the cold snap to replicate the match! Happy days ;-)

[smithy]

 

Still pulls that face: http://www.wokingfc.co.uk/video/v/50/2/

[Kenilworthy]

Even better was his long range screamer to equalise at Highbury in August 1980

[The Cat]

I saw Woking play on Saturday. The ref went off, and with no 4th official a fat middle aged Maidstone fan ran the line for the last 15 mins. He gave Woking's match clinching 2nd goal onside when it quite clearly wasn't. The doofus.

 

Graham Baker was most definitely Woking's manager.

[Gemmel]

Cheers all - i don't feel stupid - Honest

 

(******* crap journo's)

[VectisSaint]

Great midfielder for us, before he was sold to Man City to help fund Shilton's move to The Dell. City were relegated and he returned to Saints a couple of years later but injuries curtailed his career with us. Always thought he was top notch, but perhaps I was biased because he was a Baker like me (now don't go spoiling it by mentioning any other Saints players by that name).

[rallyboy]

I recall a big goal in a top of the table Dell clash against Man City as well, good servant to the club, and his family lived in Deacon Rd.

And he had an Alfa.

[St.Jeweller]

Still pulls that face: http://www.wokingfc.co.uk/video/v/50/2/

 

@1:10 it looks as though he,s somehow snogging himself :smt104

 

not taking anything away from his spells at the dell though,

 

seem to remember him partnering Derrick Statham in mid-field 2nd time

around,a right old boys pairing they were.

[SOTONS EAST SIDE]

He used to go to my old school(Merry oak boys), and was a good cross country runner as well.

[70's Mike]

Always held back at the Dell because he and Steve Williams emerged from the youth set up, yes we had one before Rupert, at the same time.

Nice lad , nice family and loved the saints

[mikec]

I remember him scoring on his debut at the Dell, about a minute after coming on as a sub.

[RonManager]

I remember him scoring on his debut at the Dell, about a minute after coming on as a sub.

 

That's cos nobody saw him until he surfaced in the penalty area.

 

 

 

 

 

Coat

[Give it to Ron]

He used to go to my old school(Merry oak boys), and was a good cross country runner as well.

 

I played against him at school against Merry Oak....think he got a hat-trick and was light years above everyone else at that age.

[Teddy Nutkins]

I played against him at school against Merry Oak....think he got a hat-trick and was light years above everyone else at that age.

 

Great player, silky skills, used to glide over the ground, never broke sweat

[david in sweden]

Loved that match, featured on Match of the Day, Gordon Lee the Everton Manager was moaning like **** that the game should have not been played. After that match I so wanted to play on an icy pitch, me and a mate flooded our back garden during the cold snap to replicate the match! Happy days ;-)

 

 

Great wasn't it?

not so often we were MOTD then, (or now for that matter) but it was one of GB's first games I think, and he scored before commentator John Motson (?) had downed his first sip of tea. Pity we lost him as he was quite versatile but went to Man City when Lawrie Mac needed money to buy in Peter Shilton (which was a good deal anyway of course,) ...but hard luck on GB 'cos he lost many seasons through injury as I recall, but he did come back for a year or two in Chris Nicholl's time, I think.

[Eastcowzer]

Also featured in the build-up to the best goal ever.

Just a little 'shimmy' on the edge of the ' box, to Channon' ?.

[krissyboy31]

I played against him at school against Merry Oak....think he got a hat-trick and was light years above everyone else at that age.

 

One of very few Southampton born and bred players to come through the ranks and make it to the top. This and the Martin Chivers thread got me thinking that, although we have brought many players through our academy and youth ranks over the years, why do so few come through Southampton schools? We missed a few at Saints' (Sicknote and Graham Roberts to name 2) but apart from Jamie White, I don't think we have any currently on the books. Over the years you could probably count the amount on two hands.

[Teddy Nutkins]

One of very few Southampton born and bred players to come through the ranks and make it to the top. This and the Martin Chivers thread got me thinking that, although we have brought many players through our academy and youth ranks over the years, why do so few come through Southampton schools? We missed a few at Saints' (Sicknote and Graham Roberts to name 2) but apart from Jamie White, I don't think we have any currently on the books. Over the years you could probably count the amount on two hands.

 

Yes you are right, i have just been dredging my muddled memory and can only think of two.Manny Andrezewski and Francis Benali.There are a few who came through the ranks and played a handful of games.Just thought of Bob McCarthy, going to have to dig out fitzhugh fella's book and see what i can find.

Graham Roberts did slip through the net, god he was hard bar attendant.

[Give it to Ron]

Roberts was an animal even at that age....he went to Weston Park who we always managed to draw in the semi-finals.

Most of the Saints schoolboys came from Weston Park where the manager taught Alec Perkins?

[david in sweden]

One of very few Southampton born and bred players to come through the ranks and make it to the top. This and the Martin Chivers thread got me thinking that, although we have brought many players through our academy and youth ranks over the years, why do so few come through Southampton schools? We missed a few at Saints' (Sicknote and Graham Roberts to name 2) but apart from Jamie White, I don't think we have any currently on the books. Over the years you could probably count the amount on two hands.

 

Good point, though you have missed mention of the most-successful local player in the club's history namely Woolston-born Nick Holmes. Went from St.Mary's College and into the Reserve side, played well over 500 games for Saints (in many varying positions) over a period of 14 years..and was the youngest in the 1976 FA Cup Final side...AND if I'm not mistaken one of the very few local players ever to captain a Saints side (?) Great one-club man.

 

.....currently still involved with Conference side Salisbury, I think.

Edited 13 October, 2009 by david in sweden

[Teddy Nutkins]

Roberts was an animal even at that age....he went to Weston Park who we always managed to draw in the semi-finals.

Most of the Saints schoolboys came from Weston Park where the manager taught Alec Perkins?

 

Yes you are right "Ron", Roberts was at Weston, as was myself.The late Alec Perkins was under 15 Soton Schoolboys manager, and a maths teacher.Not as many lads from Weston in his sides as you might think, although there were a few;)

[Teddy Nutkins]

Good point, though you have missed mention of the most-successful local players in the club's history namely Woolston-born Nick Holmes. went from

St.Mary's College and into the reserve side, played well over 500 games for Saints (in many varying positions) over a period of 14 years..and was the youngest in the 1976 FA Cup Final side...AND if I'm not mistaken one of the very few local players ever to captain a Saints side (?) Grat one-club man.

 

.....currently still involved with Conference side Salisbury, I think.

 

Forgot about Nick Holmes, (how could i). Never new he hailed from Woolston."Norman", as he was affectionately known, could always be heard running around the pitch as he had problems breathing.I was told ( not sure if it is true), that he only had one lung.In which case, what a remarkable career.

[krissyboy31]

Yes you are right, i have just been dredging my muddled memory and can only think of two.Manny Andrezewski and Francis Benali.There are a few who came through the ranks and played a handful of games.Just thought of Bob McCarthy, going to have to dig out fitzhugh fella's book and see what i can find.

Graham Roberts did slip through the net, god he was hard bar attendant.

 

Even Manny was an Eastleigh boy and Bob McCarthy, Lyndhurst. Wayne Bridge was born in Southampton but brought up in Badgers Farm. As you say a few bit part players (the Nicky Bangers and Paul Bennets of this world) and as mentioned Nick Holmes but not many others.

Edited 13 October, 2009 by krissyboy31

[Give it to Ron]

Yes you are right "Ron", Roberts was at Weston, as was myself.The late Alec Perkins was under 15 Soton Schoolboys manager, and a maths teacher.Not as many lads from Weston in his sides as you might think, although there were a few;)

 

Age may be getting the better of me but wasn't their also big Kevin Roberts??

Mark Gingell who always scored against us?

[Teddy Nutkins]

Age may be getting the better of me but wasn't their also big Kevin Roberts??

Mark Gingell who always scored against us?

 

Different family, Kevin Roberts played centre back for Sholing for a few years,have seen him at a few away games and my local pub recently.Mark Gingell was a skillfull little lad, don't know what happened to him.

[Isabel Healey]

Even Manny was an Eastleigh boy and Bob McCarthy, Lyndhurst. Wayne Bridge was born in Southampton but brought up in Badgers Farm. As you say a few bit part players (the Nicky Bangers and Paul Bennets of this world) and as mentioned Nick Holmes but not many others.

 

Also, Pat Earles, (13th man on Cup Final day). Comes from Lock Heath, and played a few first team games. Wayne Pratt, also from Locks Heath/Sarisbury Green, but only appeared against Leeds, and was sub a couple of times.

[krissyboy31]

Also, Pat Earles, (13th man on Cup Final day). Comes from Lock Heath, and played a few first team games. Wayne Pratt, also from Locks Heath/Sarisbury Green, but only appeared against Leeds, and was sub a couple of times.

 

Yes there are a few but still bit part players (not what I would call proper first teamers). John Sydenham was one but he was just before my time (Tommy Jenkins had taken the shirt by the time I started going) and if your going back longer even Bill Ellerington. It is still a pretty cr@p return for a city of our size and one that is a footballing city.

[Isabel Healey]

Yes there are a few but still bit part players (not what I would call proper first teamers). John Sydenham was one but he was just before my time (Tommy Jenkins had taken the shirt by the time I started going) and if your going back longer even Bill Ellerington. It is still a pretty cr@p return for a city of our size and one that is a footballing city.

 

Krissyboy.

 

Your probably not wrong !!

[hypochondriac]

I know it's now but surman?

[david in sweden]

I know it's now but surman?

Andrew Surman...

- although, on his own admission he's always been a Saints fan at heart, Drew was born in South Africa where his parents (who were both Sotonians) had emigrated. They later returned to the UK when he was about 10, and he later joined Saints juniors, and was at one time (pre-Theo Walcott) ...the youngest ever player to turn out for the Reserve side.

As he only played U-21 for England, it is possible (though most unlikely) that both countries are open to offer him a full international cap.However, I can imagine that he probably has a UK passport anyway (?)

 

There are many instances of players who played Youth/U21 internationals for one country, but got full caps from another.

Nigel Quashie was one example, I believe. He played U21 for England, but never got a full cap, but later " discovered " a Scottish grandmother and got his international caps from north of the border.

Edited 13 October, 2009 by david in sweden

[INFLUENCED.COM]

Played for Hampshire Hawks when about 12/13(from memory) the manager was Phil Baker brother of Graham, Graham took us for a training session one night and kicked me up the behind, that was my claim to fame until I was 15 working in Two Eyes in Shirley and had a ****** next to Steve Williams(in the toilets !)

[bangkoksaint]

I refereed Woking youth a few years ago in the Southern Youth League. Baker was their manager. I knew of his Saints links. Anyway as the old adage goes it's sometimes best not meet your hero. Even though he wasnt a 'hero' of mine that adage is very true He came accross as a nasty piece of work and clearly not a role model to the youth team he was managing.

[Redondo Saint]

Don't forget Steve Mills and Steve Moran as local lads who made it to SFC.

[krissyboy31]

Don't forget Steve Mills and Steve Moran as local lads who made it to SFC.

 

Neither born and bred in Southampton though! Mills was from P*mpey and Moran, although brought up in Stubbington was born in Croydon.

[saintquin]

Ian Baird, Graham Baker,Paul Bennett, Martin Chivers, Tim Coak, Roger Fry, Nick Holmes, Mike Judd, Wayne Pratt, Dave Puckett and John Sydenham were all Saints players born in Southampton in my time as a regular. The most famous Southampton born players was probally Ted Drake, who scored 7 goals in one game for Arsenal against Villa, and Martin Chivers who went to Spurs for then a record fee of £125,000 ( a weeks wages for some now). All facts supplied by Gary Chalk and Duncan Holley so don't blame me if anyone else knows different.

[krissyboy31]

Ian Baird, Graham Baker,Paul Bennett, Martin Chivers, Tim Coak, Roger Fry, Nick Holmes, Mike Judd, Wayne Pratt, Dave Puckett and John Sydenham were all Saints players born in Southampton in my time as a regular. The most famous Southampton born players was probally Ted Drake, who scored 7 goals in one game for Arsenal against Villa, and Martin Chivers who went to Spurs for then a record fee of £125,000 ( a weeks wages for some now). All facts supplied by Gary Chalk and Duncan Holley so don't blame me if anyone else knows different.

 

This is all true but think about how many geordies, scousers, mancs, brummies etc. etc. have played in that time frame? A couple of dozen since the war is frankly awful. Has the various scouting systems discriminated against Southampton Schools and the Tyro Leagues, or are Sotonians relatively talentless? BTW Baird wasn't born in Southampton.

[AtomicSaint]

Roberts was an animal even at that age....he went to Weston Park who we always managed to draw in the semi-finals.

Most of the Saints schoolboys came from Weston Park where the manager taught Alec Perkins?

The mention of Perkins made the hair stand up on the back of my neck. He use to take joy in twisting our ears, sticking his finger into the nerves at the base of you neck or dashing you on the head with 3 or 4 SMP maths books.

How about Kevin Roberts brother Trevor didn't he play for the skates?

[Badvoc]

Neither born and bred in Southampton though! Mills was from P*mpey and Moran, although brought up in Stubbington was born in Croydon.

 

Actually mate, Stevie Moran was brought up in Warsash. His Mum was my old teacher at Hook-with-Warsash junior school, and from memory he went to Prices College (Fareham). I remember the day when he and Mark Wright got banged up for the alleged rape at Norkopping. His Mum didn't come into school that day and we had class with our c*ck of a headmaster.......

[Leicestersaint]

good players from the good old days.

[hypochondriac]

Andrew Surman...

- although, on his own admission he's always been a Saints fan at heart, Drew was born in South Africa where his parents (who were both Sotonians) had emigrated. They later returned to the UK when he was about 10, and he later joined Saints juniors, and was at one time (pre-Theo Walcott) ...the youngest ever player to turn out for the Reserve side.

As he only played U-21 for England, it is possible (though most unlikely) that both countries are open to offer him a full international cap.However, I can imagine that he probably has a UK passport anyway (?)

 

There are many instances of players who played Youth/U21 internationals for one country, but got full caps from another.

Nigel Quashie was one example, I believe. He played U21 for England, but never got a full cap, but later " discovered " a Scottish grandmother and got his international caps from north of the border.

 

Yeah but went to school here from 10. Loosely bred here IMO.