Benjamin Howard Baker

Benjamin Howard Baker[2] (13 February 1892 – 10 September 1987) was an English athlete who excelled in a wide range of sports, mostly in association football and high jump.[3][4]

Benjamin Howard Baker

Benjamin Howard Baker at the 1920 Olympics
Personal information
Full name	Benjamin Howard Baker
Date of birth	(1892-02-13)13 February 1892
Place of birth	Liverpool, England
Date of death	10 September 1987(1987-09-10) (aged 95)
Place of death	Warminster, England
Height	6 ft 2 in (1.88 m)[1]
Position(s)	Goalkeeper
Youth career
	Marlborough Old Boys (Liverpool)
	Liverpool Balmoral
Senior career*
Years	Team	Apps	(Gls)
1913–1914	Blackburn Rovers	0	(0)
1914–1915	Preston North End	0	(0)
1919–1920	Liverpool	0	(0)
1919–1933	Corinthian	210	(0)
1921	Everton	2	(0)
1921–1926	Chelsea	92	(1)
1926	Everton	11	(0)
1928–1929	Oldham Athletic	1	(0)
Total		106	(1)
National team
1921–1925	England	2	(0)
* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only

In team sports, Baker was goalkeeper for England, Chelsea,[5] Everton and Oldham Athletic football clubs, having previously played for the renowned amateur team, the Corinthians. He played for the "Amateurs" in the 1925 FA Charity Shield.[6] He was also an international-level water polo goalkeeper.[4] Baker initially played as a defender, and took the keeper position after his ankle was damaged in a naval mine sweeping operation during World War I.[3]

In singles, doubles and mixed doubles, Baker competed in the 1929 Northern Qualifying Tournament for Wimbledon without making the main draw in any event and won the 1932 Welsh Covered Courts tennis competition.[3][4]

Individually, Baker held British records in the high jump (1.95 m, from 1921 to 1946)[4] and triple jump.[7] He competed in these events at the 1912 and 1920 Olympic Games and finished in 6–11th places. At the Northern Counties Championships he won the high jump (1911–14, 1919–21), 120 yd hurdles (1921) and discus throw (1920); he also won the long jump at the 1920 Northern Olympic Trials. After retiring from sports Baker joined the family firm producing soap and chemicals and became a renowned businessman in the Liverpool area.[4]

Although Baker was sometimes known as Benjamin Howard-Baker (such as in 'Play Up Corinth - A history of the Corinthian Football Club') his baptism record at St Margaret, Anfield on 28 March 1892 shows his Christian names as 'Benjamin Howard', and his surname as 'Baker'. His father had the same name.[8]