Former Town centre forward Gerry Baker died on Saturday aged 75 after a short illness.

Baker, who was born in New Rochelle, New York state to Scottish parents, joined the Blues from Hibernian in December 1963 for a then-club record fee of £17,000.

He scored 66 goals in 151 games before leaving Portman Road for Coventry City in November 1967 for £20,000.

In January 1960 Baker scored 10 goals in a 15-0 Scottish FA Cup victory over Glasgow University while playing for St Mirren. The previous year he had scored in the final - and in each of the previous rounds - as the Buddies beat Aberdeen 3-1 to win the trophy.

Capped seven times by the US, scoring twice, he also represented Motherwell, the town where he grew up, briefly Chelsea, Manchester City, Brentford and Margate, where he was player-manager.

A book about Baker and his brother, former England international Joe, The Fabulous Baker Boys: The Greatest Strikers Scotland Never Had, is due to be published next week.

Photo: Action Images

bgexile added 17:37 - Aug 26 Ah..I remember him, just. R.I.P Gerry
0

bluefeast added 17:50 - Aug 26 What a scoring record . RIP Mr Baker.
0

abbeyblue added 18:01 - Aug 26 Yes, I remember Gerry Baker. Very sad news RIP. A very unselfish and underrated player who scored some excellent goals for us. He will be missed but not forgotten
0

Sindre94 added 18:29 - Aug 26 Rest in peace
0

irishtim added 18:43 - Aug 26 Don't remember him playing. R.I.P. Sad loss for his family & friends.
0

Stourbridgeblue added 18:49 - Aug 26 He scored a hat trick in the first ever town game I went to. We lost 6 - 3. I think he's still the only town player to score a hat trick and finish up on the losing side!
0

RYITFC added 19:02 - Aug 26 RIP
0

Sebastian added 19:13 - Aug 26 Diamonds are forever.
0

PavlovsCat added 19:21 - Aug 26 My very first Town football hero. Great player, great goalscorer. Could do with him now!
0

carlisleaway added 20:02 - Aug 26 Gerry Baker was a very popular player, first game I saw and we beat Oldham Athletic in the 3rd Round of the FA Cup. Sat in the Old Chicken run. We won 6 - 3 and Baker scored a hatrick. As mentioned above great player and goal scorer, my first Ipswich hero. RIP in peace Gerry you certainly made me want to be a Blue from that day onwards,
0

ManningtreeBlue99 added 20:25 - Aug 26 RIP to a real inspiration and a hero
0

Taricco_Fan added 20:27 - Aug 26 RIP.
0

ITFC4daprem added 21:14 - Aug 26 RIP
0

soclopath added 22:00 - Aug 26 Short in stature yet a giant with a huge heart R.I.P Gerry.
0

TractorBeezer added 22:52 - Aug 26 I remember Joe. A 100% effort player who knew where the goal was. Did well in the air as well notwithstanding his lack of height. My condolences go to his family.
0

Michael11 added 00:21 - Aug 27 Long before my time but RIP Gerry and thank you.
0

TractorBeezer added 00:43 - Aug 27 I meant Gerry but the same could be said for Joe.
0

supermickmcarthy added 08:14 - Aug 27 RIP
0

Portman51 added 11:52 - Aug 27 Watched him score some crackers in the poor relegation side of 63-4, and plenty more as we stabilised in the old second division under McGarry. Short but still useful in the air, a big heart and a real eye for goal. A true ITFC legend, could do with someone like him now. RIP Gerry.
0

EatonBlue added 14:41 - Aug 27 RIP Gerry. He was one of my favourite players back in the 60's, along with the likes of Brogan, Hegan, Crawford and Broadfoot.
0

itsonlyme added 16:39 - Aug 27 Carlisleaway- I was at that game when we beat Oldham 6-3. A superb hat-trick and he became my new hero after Ted Phillips had left the club. What a great goal scorer he was and I was very sad when he left the club. Thanks for the memories Gerry. RIP.
0

h32 added 23:01 - Aug 27 Yet another of our 'Greats' leaves us - those really were the days. RIP Gerry, and truly grateful thanks for the memories.
0

Blogs 296 bloggers

Ipswich Town Polls