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Albion’s stalwarts mourn the death of Jim Baker

| 10/10/2014 | Reply

Older Albion players and supporters may well remember the dashing wing play of Jim Baker who passed away on Saturday 4 October. 

Jim joined Bridgwater & Albion as the game resurrected immediately after the Second World War and joined the ranks of other Albion luminaries of that time – Bert Bastable, Gordon Barrett, Jack Andrews, Ron Hale, Gordon Collier, WJ Rich, Bobby Jones and also then emerging players DT Williams and David Hodge.  Jim was one of Albion’s two very colourful wingers from those days as Leo Guerrero – Albion’s Spanish recruit – was on the opposite wing and between them they scored a considerable number of tries. 

Jim played for Albion at a time when the fixtures list was strong and during his time with the club, he assisted in recording fine victories over Bath 8-0 in 1948/9 and Neath 13-3 in 1949/50.  In those days, there were a lot of get up teams who visited the Taunton Road ground and such stars as Cliff Morgan, Rex Willis, Dr Jack Matthews and Bleddyn Williams graced these occasions.  Jim continued playing for Albion until the end of the 1954/5 season when several stalwarts of that immediate post-war period also hung up their boots.

Jim was one of six brothers, several of whom also played for Albion and more recently, Jim’s nephews Norman and David Baker also turned out regularly for our teams. 

In recent seasons Jim and Leo Guerrero have visited the club, attending the former players’ reunion when it was great to reminisce with them. 

Our sympathies and condolences are fully extended to Jim’s family.  His funeral takes place at the Stretcholt Crematorium on Monday 20 October at 11.30 am.

Category: Club News

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