Post by Salem6 on Oct 7, 2003 6:11:49 GMT
Joe Baker, the first player outside the Football League to be capped by England, has died aged 63.
Baker was born in Liverpool but brought up in Wishaw in Lanarkshire, Scotland.
Joe Baker (right) had two successful spells with Hibernian
Hibernian were his first senior club, the centre-forward having been signed from Armadale Thistle, and claimed an incredible 159 goals in four seasons at Easter Road - all by the age of 21.
It was while still a teenager with the Edinburgh club that he won the first of his eight England caps, scoring in a 2-1 win over Northern Ireland at Wembley.
He made his final international appearance in 1966, by which time he had moved to Arsenal via Torino, having joined Scotland legend Denis Law at the Italian club.
He was legendary at every club he played for
Players union assistant Fraser Wishart
Baker, whose brother Gerry played for the USA, went on to star for Nottingham Forest, Sunderland, Hibs again then Raith Rovers.
His 42 goals in his first spell at Easter Road remains a record for a single season with Hibs.
Baker on Monday suffered a suspected heart attack during a celebrity charity golf tournament at the Lanark Golf Club and former referee David Syme tried to resuscitate him.
He was rushed to hospital in Wishaw but lost his fight for life.
Scottish Players' Union assistant secretary Fraser Wishart told this website: "Joe had been working to help former players by being very active in the formation of a former players' association and former players' benevolent fund.
"You could not meet a nicer, more genuine man and his death will be felt very hard here.
"He was legendary at every club he played for and I remember his wife telling us how they were mobbed in Turin by fans when they returned there a few years ago.
"Our thoughts are with her and their family."
Hibs managing director Rod Petrie added: "Everyone at the club is shocked and saddened by the news today.
"Joe was a welcome regular at Easter Road and was greatly admired by all those who had the pleasure of meeting him."
Baker was born in Liverpool but brought up in Wishaw in Lanarkshire, Scotland.
Joe Baker (right) had two successful spells with Hibernian
Hibernian were his first senior club, the centre-forward having been signed from Armadale Thistle, and claimed an incredible 159 goals in four seasons at Easter Road - all by the age of 21.
It was while still a teenager with the Edinburgh club that he won the first of his eight England caps, scoring in a 2-1 win over Northern Ireland at Wembley.
He made his final international appearance in 1966, by which time he had moved to Arsenal via Torino, having joined Scotland legend Denis Law at the Italian club.
He was legendary at every club he played for
Players union assistant Fraser Wishart
Baker, whose brother Gerry played for the USA, went on to star for Nottingham Forest, Sunderland, Hibs again then Raith Rovers.
His 42 goals in his first spell at Easter Road remains a record for a single season with Hibs.
Baker on Monday suffered a suspected heart attack during a celebrity charity golf tournament at the Lanark Golf Club and former referee David Syme tried to resuscitate him.
He was rushed to hospital in Wishaw but lost his fight for life.
Scottish Players' Union assistant secretary Fraser Wishart told this website: "Joe had been working to help former players by being very active in the formation of a former players' association and former players' benevolent fund.
"You could not meet a nicer, more genuine man and his death will be felt very hard here.
"He was legendary at every club he played for and I remember his wife telling us how they were mobbed in Turin by fans when they returned there a few years ago.
"Our thoughts are with her and their family."
Hibs managing director Rod Petrie added: "Everyone at the club is shocked and saddened by the news today.
"Joe was a welcome regular at Easter Road and was greatly admired by all those who had the pleasure of meeting him."
