Ash Baker Explained

Ashley Thomas Baker (born 30 October 1996) is a Welsh professional footballer who plays as a defender for Cymru Premier club The New Saints.

Club career

Sheffield Wednesday

Born in Bridgend, Baker began his career as a youth player with Cardiff City at under-14 level.^[3] He was released by the club in January 2017,^[4] signing his first professional contract for Sheffield Wednesday in the same month.^[5]

In May 2018, he made his first team debut for the club, starting at right-back as Wednesday beat Norwich City in the final Football League Championship match of the season.^[6]

Newport County

On 13 January 2020, Baker signed for League Two club Newport County on a one-and-a-half-year deal for an undisclosed fee.^[7] He made his debut for Newport on 18 January 2020, starting in a 2–0 league win against Swindon Town.^[8] He scored his first goal for Newport in the 2–1 FA Cup first-round win against Leyton Orient on 7 November 2020.^[9] On 4 June 2021 it was announced that he would leave Newport County at the end of the 2020-21 season, following the expiry of his contract.^[10]

The New Saints

In July 2021 he joined Cymru Premier club The New Saints.^[11]

International career

Having earned one cap for Wales at under-19 level,^[12] Baker made his debut for the under-21 side on 7 September 2018, in a 2–1 victory over Liechtenstein.^[13]

Career statistics

Appearances and goals by club, season and competition

Club	Season	League			FA Cup		League Cup		Other		Total
		Division	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals
Sheffield Wednesday
	2017–18	Championship	1	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	1	0
	2018–19	Championship	11	0	0	0	1	0	0	0	12	0
	2019–20	Championship	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
	Total		12	0	0	0	1	0	0	0	13	0
Newport County	2019–20	League Two	4	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	4	0
	2020–21	League Two	4	0	1	0	0	0	3	0	8	0
	Total		8	0	1	0	0	0	3	0	12	0
Career total			20	0	1	0	1	0	3	0	25	0

Honours

The New Saints

• Cymru Premier

2021–22^[14]

Notes and References

1. Web site: Notification of shirt numbers: Newport County . English Football League . 45 . 23 September 2020.
2. Web site: Ash Baker. 11v11.com . AFS Enterprises . 16 July 2018.
3. Web site: Cardiff City's 20 best players under 20: The hottest young talent the Bluebirds fans should keep an eye out for . WalesOnline . Terry Phillips . 20 May 2015 . 7 August 2018.
4. Web site: Defender joins Owls Under-23 squad . Sheffield Wednesday F.C. . 22 January 2017 . 7 August 2018.
5. Web site: Defender joins Owls Under-23 squad . www.swfc.co.uk . 6 May 2018.
6. Web site: Report: Sheffield Wednesday 5–1 Norwich City . www.bbc.co.uk . 6 May 2018.
7. News: County Sign Welsh Defender Ashley Baker on Permanent Transfer from Sheffield Wednesday. Newport County Official Site . 13 January 2020 . 13 January 2020.
8. News: Newport County 2–0 Swindon Town . BBC Sport . 18 January 2020 . 18 January 2020.
9. https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/54840051 Baker first goal for Newport
10. Web site: Newport County AFC retained list confirmed. www.newport-county.co.uk.
11. Web site: Jones . Jordan . New Saints snap up Ash Baker after Newport County exit . Y Clwb Pel-Droed . 18 July 2021.
12. News: Ash Baker on his Wales Under-21 call-up and the Owls' start to the season . The Star . Howson . Dom . 5 September 2018 . 11 September 2018.
13. News: Ash Baker wins his first Wales Under-21 cap in Euro qualifier . The Star . Howson . Dom . 7 September 2018 . 11 September 2018.
14. News: Cymru Premier: The New Saints win title with point against Penybont . 13 March 2022 . BBC Sport . 12 March 2022.