[5] After the war he signed with Chelsea, but quickly left Stamford Bridge for Tottenham Hotspur after a chance encounter with Jimmy Anderson.

His footballing skills flourished under new manager Arthur Rowe who was developing his push and run side which at the time was challenging for promotion to the First Division.

[7] He formed a good understanding with Les Medley on the left, and was a key player in the side that won the Second Division title in 1949–50.

[6] "Spurs" continued to win games, and were crowned champions of England in 1950–51, finishing four points ahead of second place Manchester United.

On 2 April 1952, in a match against Huddersfield Town at White Hart Lane, Baily caused controversy after he took a corner kick by hitting the ball against the referee, before crossing it into the box for Len Duquemin to score the winning goal.

[8] He scored eight goals in 27 games for the club, adding 'master touches' to the "Valiants" play, but was sold on to Nottingham Forest in October 1956 for £7,000 because he was 'an individualist' who left the rest of the Vale attackers 'confused'.

[9] Forest finished tenth in the top-flight in 1957–58, and Baily left the City Ground having scored 14 goals in 68 league games for the club.

[1] He was described in The Guardian as "the quintessential cheeky Cockney, a dazzling technician, a razor-sharp passer of the ball, excitingly quick in thought and movement, one of the best inside-forwards of his era".