When you speak to Alex Baker, it’s clear you’re talking to someone who has lived and breathed football across every level of the women’s game.
The Atlético London goalkeeper, who joined the club just over a year ago, when it was known as London Seaward, speaks to Since 71 in the build-up to their Adobe Women’s FA Cup tie with Cambridge United.
She explains. “I’ve played in goal for a while now, starting off at West Ham, moving over to Charlton and then my recent spell was at Billericay, where I was captain and won the FA Women’s National League title.”
Outside of football, Baker is head of PE at a school in Upminster. That balance between career and passion underlines Baker’s journey. But she is equally enthusiastic about what’s happening on the pitch as the team prepares for a big FA Cup clash against Cambridge United.
The summer brought change to London’s highest-ranked independent club, as London Seaward rebranded into Atlético London. For Baker, the transformation has brought a fresh energy.
“Yeah, I feel like there’s a massive difference,” she says. “I think it’s a sense of unity that we’re seeing. Last year was a difficult year for us, obviously we got relegated, so it’s now about moving forward and not looking back on that. It’s a great bunch of girls and I’m really enjoying playing here.”
That spirit will be vital as the squad steps into the FA Cup spotlight.
The FA Cup is always unpredictable, and Baker knows Sunday’s opponents will be tough.
“Obviously, we take every game as it comes but we know that Cambridge will be a tough opposition. We know that they’re doing really well, but we’ve also been doing well in our league, a couple of results haven’t gone our way and the table probably isn’t a true reflection on how we’ve been playing, but we’re excited and we’re preparing just like any other game to be honest and if we play how we have been then we’ll give them a run for their money.”
“The Adobe Women’s FA Cup is special; it’s one of those where you can go in as underdogs and play without a little bit of pressure. Training has been normal really, and we prepare with the same intensity and same commitment from everybody. We don’t look at this as a different game, we don’t look at their position, we just focus on us and what we need to do in order to get a result on Sunday.”
Looking at the opposition, Baker is pragmatic. “I think they’ll be quite direct, pacey behind, defensively quite sound, but I think we can counter that easily with the players that we’ve got. They are going to be tough but we’re also going to be tough and I think it’ll be a pretty evenly matched game.”
For Atlético London, this competition carries weight far beyond the ninety minutes on the pitch.
“It’s massive for us,” Baker says. “Seeing other independent clubs not funded by a men’s team performing in the WSL and lower down the pyramid, this is our chance to get on the map and we encourage anyone to come down and support us in hopefully trying to make history and get to Wembley!”
On a personal level, Baker’s history in the competition means she knows exactly what it takes to compete. “I’ve had some great runs with clubs over the years. I think with Billericay we went toe to toe with Coventry, I don’t know what round it was in, think it was the last 16 and we took them to penalties – they were two leagues above us, so we know anything can happen on the day in the FA Cup and it’s really important to get it on the map.”
She draws inspiration, too, from the growth of the game itself. “I went last year to the final at Wembley and it’s just incredible to see how far the women’s game has come and the opportunities for younger girls, we never had that, or I certainly didn’t have that growing up. Just to see how far it’s come is amazing and it’s a real honour to be a small part of that down the pyramid.”
As Atlético London prepare for their FA Cup tie, Baker is quick to emphasise the role of supporters.
“Just come and support, you’re our 12th player, you get us over the line in most of the games so far, and just hearing from you and your support and encouragement will mean a great deal.”
For Alex Baker, the FA Cup is about more than just advancing to the next round — it’s about identity, unity, and showing what independent women’s football clubs can achieve. And as she pulls on the gloves once again for Atlético London, there’s a sense that both she and the team are ready to make their mark.
With seven points in seven matches, Atlético sit third from bottom. They will have their work cut out to overcome Cambridge United but isn’t the magic of the FA Cup that anyone can beat anyone on their day?
