Premier League

NATHAN BAKER has swapped footy for the FTSE in his retirement.The former Premier League defender made a career out of breaking up play and thwarting some of the best strikers in England.
Nathan Baker has turned to a new career after footballCredit: instagram @bakesy23
The defender made 79 appearances in the Premier League for Aston VillaCredit: PA:Press Association
Now he is banking on a new venture by brokering deals of his own – and ensuring house buyers don’t get caught in their any financial offside traps.
That is because Baker has qualified as a mortgage and insurance advisor.
The 32-year-old, who spent 13 years on the books with Aston Villa, cashed out on football last year after five seasons with Bristol City.
But rather than going into coaching, he has opted for a complete change of scene with Dudley-based company The Finance Family.
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Baker wrote online: “After retiring from professional football last year I’m excited to share with you my new career path.
“I am now a fully qualified mortgage and insurance advisor with the goal to become a financial advisor.
“Properties and investments have always been a big interest of mine.
“Thank you everyone for your messages and support, time to get to work, please don’t hesitate to reach out.
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“If you require my services please reach out for more info and I’d be happy to help. Look forward to meeting and working with you all.”
Baker made 294 senior club appearances for Villa, Bristol City and on loan at Lincoln and Millwall across 13 seasons as a professional footballer.
He managed five goals – although none of those came from his 79 games in the Premier League.
The former England Under-21 star suffered a horror head injury playing for the Robins in November 2021.
He had to be taken off on a stretcher and the ongoing concussion forced his early retirement nine months later.
Away from football, Baker married his long-term model partner and pilates instructor Catherine Hudson last year.
He proposed after a skydive in Dubai in 2019 and the couple welcomed their first baby, son Jax, in June 2021.
Settling down with his young family means he no longer posts about his exploits at the firing range – although he still loves to travel and has visited Dubai, California and Antigua with his glamorous wife and kid.
Baker spent the final five years of his career with Bristol CityCredit: Reuters
Baker was forced to retire after sustaining a horror head injury and ongoing concussionCredit: PA More

MAX LOWE thought he had hit rock bottom after losing at home on the Blades’ return to the Prem.Then he walked into the home dressing room and was ridiculed for picking a fight with a PENSIONER!
Roy Hodgson and Max Lowe were involved in an alterationCredit: Getty
And Lowe was impressed by 76-year-old Hodgson’s strengthCredit: Getty
What made it worse for the defender was knowing he had come off second best for the second time that day.
At 26, Lowe is half a century younger than Palace boss Roy Hodgson, who celebrated his 76th birthday last Wednesday.
Yet the pair became involved in one of the most bizarre touchline fights the Premier League is likely to witness as the clock ticked down on Palace’s narrow win.
Lowe was racing to take a quick throw and his head was bowed when he thrust his arm out to prevent any Palace staff from impeding him.
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Unfortunately for him, he managed to jab the former England boss in the belly, causing Hodgson’s hackles to rise.
Lowe revealed there was no respite for him when he returned to the red corner after the final whistle.
He revealed: “All the boys were laughing at me and saying, ‘That’s 1-0 to Roy’.
“Apparently, Roy said he was quite pleased at his reaction because he didn’t know he still had it in him.
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“I didn’t either, to be fair. His abs are stronger than I thought! I was a bit shocked. I was laughing at the time… only Roy wasn’t laughing!
“I felt terrible afterwards when I realised who it was. In the heat of the moment I forgot where I was and I felt awful at full-time.
“Fair play to him, it was a competitive game and you could see that reflected by both teams on the pitch.
“It was obvious they have players with real good individual quality and we tried to work on that during the week — but it was a sloppy goal to lose, so we are disappointed.”
Hodgson was still in full raging bull mode as he adjusted his trouser belt after the scuffle.
He already has a CBE but the oldest swinger in the Prem might now turn his attention to adding WBO, WBC and WBA to his collection!
The oldest boss in Premier League history made no apologies for growing old disgracefully and reflected on a satisfying win, which was sealed four minutes into the second half.
His abs are stronger than I thought! I was a bit shocked. I was laughing at the time… only Roy wasn’t laughing!Max Lowe
It was created by another sprightly old-boy as 31-year-old Jordan Ayew was too quick in thought and movement for Ben Osborn and Lowe.
His wicked low cross was tucked away by Odsonne Edouard, who could have had a hat-trick had he converted an easy header or not had a ‘goal’ disallowed for offside — a fate also suffered by Ayew.
Hodgson’s side were clearly superior in strength, skill and Premier League nous, yet he still had to squeeze every last ounce of effort out of his players to get them over the line.
It is why the old bruiser would like to KO new Premier League rules which allow only one coach to approach the front of the technical area at any one time.
Roy rapped: “We are a passionate coaching team who put our heart and soul into our coaching sessions and our preparations.
“Most players at this level are going to be motivated. But sometimes they need a bit of inspiration, sometimes they need encouragement, sometimes they need a bit of help about something and I’ve always seen that as part of my job.
“It’s harder now they are reducing the number of people to one only — I don’t quite understand that. Coaching from the touchline is very much part of our jobs, that is what we are paid for.
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“If you are not going to coach from a touchline then I don’t understand why we are at a game in the first place.
“Just send the players out then go and have a cup of tea in the directors’ lounge.” More