PAUL BAKER is entertaining the Darwen crowds in more ways than one.

The Anchor Ground hot shot has scored 30 goals this season to take his side towards the top of NWCL Division Two but it is the tumbles that follow the goals that are creating a bit of a stir.

"Well you have to entertain the crowd," said the 37-year-old, who got the somersaulting skills from his years at Hollins High School.

"I was Hyndburn Gymnastic Champion for five years running. When I was in the first year I was beating fifth year pupils. It was just something that came naturally."

He didn't want to dwell too long on his gymnastics career for fear of 'some mickey talking from my team-mates.'

"It was a long time ago. It just used to be on a mat, the big square, and do a gymnastic routine. But I work in Darwen and a lot of people will read this and laugh so I don't really want to go into details."

The people at the Anchor Ground certainly like it.

"When I saw it for the first time it was against Southport in the semi-final of the ATS Trophy," said his manager Steve Wilkes. "He scored and I was in the dug out and I couldn't believe it when he did it. He jumped so high I lost him in the floodlights!

"I forgot about his goal after that I was so impressed with the celebration.

"He does only do it though when the pitches are hard. My mate has been coming down for two and a half seasons to see him do it and he finally saw it when he scored on Tuesday night. He said it was worth the wait."

"It does keep everyone amused," said Baker, who spent eight years at Great Harwood - where he won consecutive promotions from NWCL Divsion Two to the UniBond League under Eric Whalley - and had spells at Clitheroe and Lancaster. "A lot of my team-mates come running to me and do forward rolls when they score to take the mickey out of me. It doesn't bother me.

"I also think Peter Beagrie got the idea off me to do it at Everton and Bradford. But mine is better!"

Baker has been the NWCL Division Two top scorer for the last two years - with 36 and 34 goals - but is currently competing with Squires Gates' Lee Catlow who has 32.

"I am aiming for 40 which would be my highest total. We have 12 games left so I am sure I will do it. No problem!"

The striker would be happy with that and then he may retire at the end of the season - but probably not!

"I said I would at the end of last season and I will at the end of this season, and the next season and the one after that," laughed Baker who only ended up as a frontman because, in an amateur game in the Accrington Combination League, he was pushed from midfield to striker and scored four goals in ten minutes!

"While I am enjoying football I won't give it up.

"And I have also carried on for my son Thomas. He comes down to watch me and he loves it and keeps all the other kids entertained. He more or less runs a creche for the other kids!

"My other son Daniel, who is eight, is more interested in computers. He is the brainy one, Thomas is more like me!"

And Baker owes the fact he won't give up also to player-boss Wilkes.

"Steve is great. A lot of people don't realise what he does behind the scenes.

"His wife calls him 'goldenballs!' He is great in the dressing room.

"And the lads are good. Matt Swailes does all the running for me which is great. I could run when I was 23 but now I just stand in the middle and wait for the ball to drop!"

And Baker has one other use for his gymnastics.

"It comes in useful as I can jump out of tackles - I don't want to be getting injured at my age!"

DARWEN are at Cheadle Town tomorrow looking for their fifth straight win.