Born in
Prescot,
Merseyside, Baker started his career with
Liverpool at schoolboy level before playing for
Prescot Cables. He signed for
Southport in 2003.
Southport Baker's career was forged at
Southport. Spotted playing for Prescot by Southport manager
Liam Watson, Baker was quickly snapped up by the Merseyside club, and soon established himself as one of non-league's exciting talents. He was an important member of the Southport
Conference North Championship winning team in the 2004–05 season. After again playing an important role in helping keep Southport in the
Conference National in the 2005–06 season, Baker signed his first full-time contract, for the next season as the club turned fully professional, whilst much of the championship winning, and relegation surviving team, (fan favourites Steve Dickinson, Steve Daly, Earl Davis) all not willing to leave their non-footballing jobs, left unable to make the transition to full-time. Despite Southport's relegation from the Conference National in the 2006–07 season, Baker swept the board with Player of the Year awards, voted on by his fellow players, the fans and local press. He was a fan favourite with the club's fans, being one of only two players left from the 2005 title winning squad. Although only on a year's contract meaning he could move on for free, the club's official website announced he had signed for another year at the club. This meant that any interested team would have to pay for his services.
Morecambe On 11 July 2007, he signed for
Football League Two newcomers Morecambe for a club record, though undisclosed fee. He signed a three-year contract with Morecambe. In August 2007 Baker scored Morecambe's first goal when they beat
Football League Championship club
Wolverhampton Wanderers 3–1 in extra time in a
League Cup match. In November, Baker was named North West Non-league player of the year, at the North West Football Awards, for his efforts playing for Southport in 2006–07, beating his new Morecambe teammate
Adam Yates to the prize.
Stockport County On 22 July 2008, Baker signed a three-year contract at
Stockport County, with the club paying Morecambe a £175,000 fee. His 2008–09 season was a in-different one for Baker, he played 27 times for County in his first season, scoring 3 goals, all these were before January, when Baker received a knee injury which required surgery. The 2009–10 season started well for Baker on the pitch and he was seen to be one of Stockport's main assets. By mid-October he was County's leading scorer with 10 goals. Baker became the first County player to score successive away hat-tricks, with stunning performances against
Brighton & Hove Albion &
Crewe. Baker scored his 10th goal-of-the-season for Stockport from the penalty spot in the game away to
Tranmere Rovers, which was live on
Sky – dedicating the goal to his brother Mike whose name he bears on his shirt collar. Baker added to his goals tally by scoring a penalty in the game against Tooting & Mitcham. On 26 December 2009,
Gary Ablett told reporters that Baker has signed a deal with Championship side
Coventry City. Baker's last game for Stockport County was against League 1 leaders
Leeds United in which he scored a freekick. The goal was his 13th goal of the season.
Coventry City Coventry confirmed Baker as the club's fourth permanent signing in the January 2010 transfer window on 8 January 2010. Baker joined Coventry for an undisclosed fee, which was confirmed by him in person as being £300,000. In February 2010, Manager Chris Coleman praised Baker for his impressive performances since joining the club, likening his playing style to that of Sky Blue legend Tommy Hutchinson. On 10 August 2010, Baker returned to former club
Morecambe, in a
League Cup First Round tie. Coventry fell to a 2–0 defeat. The Sky Blues made up for their 2010 cup loss to
Morecambe by beating them 2–1 in the 2012–13
FA Cup 2nd Round. Baker scored the winning goal curling the ball round
Morecambe keeper
Barry Roche just 18 seconds into the second half. During his time at the club he became a fan favourite due to his consistently skillful and dedicated performances, and was club captain for more than two years from 2012 to 2014. Baker had his Coventry City contract cancelled by mutual consent on 1 September 2014.
Milton Keynes Dons On 26 September 2014, following his release from Coventry City, fellow League One side Milton Keynes Dons announced Baker had signed for the club, and made his debut on 4 October 2014 in a 0–2 away win against
Yeovil Town. Baker scored his first goal for his new club on 8 November 2014 in the
FA Cup first round 3–4 away win against
Port Vale. Baker also scored his first league goal for the club, again against Port Vale a week later in a 1–0 home win. On 22 April 2015 Baker scored twice in the 3–0 home win against
Doncaster Rovers. On 28 April 2015 at the club's end of season awards ceremony, Baker was named Player of the Year 2014–15, voted for by supporters of the club. On 3 May 2015 Baker scored on the final day of the 2014–15
League One season in a 5–1 home win against
Yeovil Town, achieving promotion with Milton Keynes Dons to the
Football League Championship.
Portsmouth Baker signed a 2-year deal with
Portsmouth in June 2016, having previously worked with manager
Paul Cook at Southport. He scored on his debut in a 1–1 draw with
Carlisle United on 6 August 2016. After suffering an injury during the pre-season, he was ruled out of play for the entire season. He was subsequently replaced by
Ryan Taylor.
Return to Coventry City On 9 March 2018, Carl returned to
Coventry City on a short-term deal. On 4 May 2018, it was announced that Carl had left the club by mutual consent due to injury; during this second spell with the club he was unable to make an appearance.
Nuneaton Borough On 31 August 2018,
Nuneaton Borough announced that Baker had signed for the club. He made his début for Nuneaton Borough in a 1–0 win at
Curzon Ashton the following day. He left the club in January 2019.
Brackley Town After his departure from Nuneaton Borough, Baker joined fellow
National League North club
Brackley Town. He scored twice on his home debut, against
Bradford Park Avenue on 26 January 2019.
Return to Nuneaton in August 2021.|alt=|150x300px On 30 July 2020, he re-signed for
Southern Football League Premier Division side Nuneaton Borough, at the age of 37.
AFC Telford United On 26 November 2021, he was appointed as assistant manager to
Paul Carden at
National League North side
AFC Telford United and also continued to feature as a player.
Quorn In February 2023, Baker signed for
Quorn. ==International career==