on the return of the football league in 1946, baker was converted into a wing half. the presence of ron burgess in his position at national level restricted baker's appearances for wales, winning a single cap in 1948 in a 2–0 defeat to northern ireland when burgess was unavailable for selection after being chosen to play for his club in an fa cup semi-final. he spent nine post-war years at cardiff before leaving in 1955, having been displaced following the arrival of colin baker. he transferred to ipswich town, where he ended his playing days. after leaving ipswich, he returned to cardiff, where he became an ambulance driver, remaining a well recognised figure to older fans, and continued playing amateur football until 1959 for ton pentre in the welsh football league.