Baker retires

[Slippin cider]

Best of luck to him and the right thing to do, a real warrior when fit and playing .

[Bar BS3]

A big loss - although one we were well aware was coming. 

A proper old school CB who would/did put his body on the line game after game. 

One of the best we've had imo. 

Best wishes Bakes! 

[Redinthehead]

Sad news but the right decision by the looks of the advice. Big loss, was immense on his day.

[INCRED]

9 minutes ago, glynriley said:

A testimonial against Villa in the summer perhaps?

Good luck Nathan. 
 

Wonder if the timing of this means we are offering Bamba a deal?

I thought the same, it clears a salary/budget from the books and perhaps Bamba is coming in on a one year deal now?

[BS48Red]

Gutted for the big guy, an absolute warrior of a defender! Is the timing of this announcement timed in a way to free up a wage budget before the transfer budget closes? 

[TDarwall]

It's easy to forget how good Bakes was, he's played in the Prem & in an FA cup semi final.  I mean it as a compliment when I say no forward would have ever enjoyed playing against him.  Such a shame he's had to retire early but clearly his health is paramount.

[Red Army 75]

What a shame. Absolute warrior on the pitch and a very good defender. Wish him all the best in the future. Good luck NB

[Fuber]

Last of the Man United team left departs the building, and one the best parts of it for me.

Exact kind of defender we're missing atm, brave committed, no-nonsense.

Hope the club leaves the door open for him to do his coaching badges with us if that's an option he's thinking of taking up.

Best of luck Bakes.

 

[Bodiesaffer]

Best of luck NB.  

[GrahamC]

8 minutes ago, TDarwall said:

It's easy to forget how good Bakes was, he's played in the Prem & in an FA cup semi final.  I mean it as a compliment when I say no forward would have ever enjoyed playing against him.  Such a shame he's had to retire early but clearly his health is paramount.

Too right, people say football is soft these days but he was a physical, tough bloke.

Big Villa fan, so I always enjoyed his first tackle whenever he faced Birmingham, remember him kicking one of their strikers all game until he went off..

[ExiledAjax]

19 minutes ago, glynriley said:

A testimonial against Villa in the summer perhaps?

Yeh I hope this happens if it's something he'd like.

I can only echo what others say. He comes across as a great guy, and this must have been a tough decision. I liked his commitment on the pitch, and he was a good servant for us. Villa supporting friends also never had a bad word to say about him.

I hope he does very very well in the future.

[One Team]

Whilst we all thought this was coming it’s still sad news; albeit clearly the right thing to do, his health is the most important thing. 

He’s been a model pro for us and played in some superb games and will always be remembered fondly. 

Some sort of recognition on Wednesday night wouldn’t go amiss? 

[Lew-T]

“There’s only one Nathan Baker” would be a nice touch on Wednesday night. I realise he’s not died…

But I think it would be a nice touch nonetheless.

[MarcusX]

People probably know I’m a big fan of his, he had his limitations but he’s the sort of defender that gets the fans off their seats with a big tackle and a physical force against tough strikers. He was a Flint 2.0, similar game just better at it.

Gutted he won’t play again, but health is more important

 

[Major Isewater]

I can only but echo the preceding sentiments. It’s a sad conclusion to Baker’s career but at least he had one. 
He is a young man and now begins the next chapter in his life.

All the very best Nathan and thank you. 

[redsapper]

I hope that Nathan can come back to allow us the FAN’s to say goodbye and thank you. 
 

Yes we all thought that this was coming but still sad. 

[Fordy62]

Never forget that scissor tackle outta nowhere. Good luck NB. 

[ExiledAjax]

I hope we do arrange a testimonial or friendly with Villa in the summer. In the meantime it might be possible to acknowledge him when we host Lincoln in the Cup? Presume he was on loan there many moons ago.

[Mr Popodopolous]

All the best Bakes, health must of course be top priority-  bit of a warrior wasn't he which occasionally perhaps contributed to injury, absence but fully committed always.

Testimonial would be nice, yeah the last of that Cup run side.

Edited August 29, 2022 by Mr Popodopolous

[Dr Balls]

As per previous posts, unsurprising and sad, but has to be the right decision for his health given the number of head injuries he has sustained over his career. On his day, as good as any central defender we have had at the club, and it always felt a bit of a coup when he first came here.

Good luck Bakes and hope you stay well. A testimonial against Villa would seem the obvious way to give him a proper send off.

[BITW]

All the best Bakes. Great servant for us and a proper defender. Nothing more important than health and family! 

[Taz]

59 minutes ago, glynriley said:

A testimonial against Villa in the summer perhaps?

Good luck Nathan. 
 

Wonder if the timing of this means we are offering Bamba a deal?

 

56 minutes ago, Mattredrobin said:

Yes that would be a great way to do it, or at least a Nathan Baker day at a home game or something. Yes potentially with Bamba, but I think the club would have been aware along time ago he was going to retire just waiting for him to be ready to publicly announce it. 

I thought the same with Bamba. Possibly a deal on the table once the Baker situation was resolved - presumably it was clear that a resolution was forthcoming?

As I've said elsewhere, news we've all expected for a while, but a shame nonetheless. Health and wellbeing comes first especially after so many concussions over a short period of time really. 

No nonsense defender who will be missed. Perhaps this will put comments such as "made of glass" and "sicknote" that we've seen and heard over the years into perspective.

Good luck with whatever you choose to do next big man. I do wonder if he will choose to be involved in some type of work/charity involved with head injuries in football, especially as he's had the misfortune of having first hand experience. I don't know, pure guess from me, it may not even be something he would want to be involved with as it may be too raw.

Edited August 29, 2022 by Taz
A testimonial with Villa 100% seems the right thing to do.

[KendrickDNB]

Loved a tackle, really got the crowd going sometimes as well.

 

Today is a sad day

 

[MC RISK77]

Always felt more reassured defensively when he was in the line up.

That season where he played alongside Webster I am not sure their were many opposition forwards who relished coming up against them two.

good luck for the future

[Curr Avon]

A player who gave everything for Bristol City. You'll be very much missed Nathan. 

This is a very sad day.

 

[Rudolf Hucker]

Last year we were having some work done on our house and a couple of guys from Worcester were part of the team. Of course we talked football and finding out I was a City supporter (after about 15 nanoseconds) they said that they’d gone to school with Bakes, had been in the same year and always followed his career with interest. 
 

They said that he was a really nice guy but wasn’t as mad keen on football as many of the other kids - he was just very good at playing it! Hopefully, if he has interests away from football it will widen his opportunities to make for himself, a new career either in or out of the game. 
 

All the very best for your future Bakes. You’ll always be very welcome down at the Gate. 

[SDBS36]

Thank you for your service Nathan, you will be a big miss by the city family, but Heath must come first

always enjoyed seeing your full committed play

[City Rocker]

Thank you Nathan for being such a wholehearted, full-blooded character in the heart of our defence for so long. 

I wish you only the best and hope we get to see you at a game to bid you farewell.

[oldstandrobin]

1 hour ago, ChippenhamRed said:

Wonder if the club might find a role for him?

Would be great if they could

[Tomo]

City v Villa Testimonial would be a great idea as mentioned. 

All the best for the future Nathan.... Proper Brave Warrior....