A centre-forward, Baker was a member of the famous Wallsend Boys Club as a youngster, and was subsequently spotted playing for Bishop Auckland, turning professional with Southampton in June 1984 at a cost of £4,000 to the south coast side.
During his time at Priestfield he scored one of the goals in a 2–0 win over Halifax Town which secured the club's League status on the last day of the season.
Baker was on the bench for York when they beat Manchester United 3–0 at Old Trafford in the League Cup in 1995, where he was eventually brought on, lasting a mere seven minutes before being sent off for a second bookable offence.
His lack of match fitness, after 2 broken legs and a fractured ankle in the previous 2 years, seemed to be Kevin Hodges' main reason for not signing him for Argyle.
In July 2000, he signed for Northern League side Bedlington Terriers, later moving to Durham City in January 2001 in exchange for former England U-18 goalkeeper Adam Clementson.
He was appointed manager of Northern League side Newcastle Benfield in September 2005 and guided them to the final qualifying round of the FA Cup for the first time in their history in the 2006–07 season.