After leaving school he played football for Ball Heath, Burslem Swifts, Pitshill and Biddulph He joined Stoke in May 1900 he made his debut in 1901–02.
[2] He was awarded the captaincy in his first full season of 1902–03, alongside Tom Holford and James Bradley, Baddeley completed a powerful midfield three which effectively kept Stoke in the First Division throughout the early 1900s.
Although occasionally criticised for 'marring a clever display by trying to do much with the ball' Baddeley's consistency allowed him to play 99 consecutive for Stoke from February 1903.
[2] Despite home crowds averaging 8,000 in 1905–06, the directors brought poorly and Stoke imploded first being relegated and then being liquidated which saw them leave the Football League at the end of the 1907–08 season.
[2] In July 1908 Baddeley along with centre forward Freddie Brown signed for West Bromwich Albion for £250 and made his debut away at Grimsby Town two months later.