When you think of a young child who had suffered from leukaemia, the first person who would come to your head would be Bradley Lowery. He touched everyone’s hearts. 30 years before him, a 9-year-old Evertonian called Jamie Baker did exactly the same.

On September 21st, 1986, Jamie and his twin sister Brenda were chosen as Everton’s mascots for their match against Manchester United at Goodison Park. It was a dream come true for Jamie. This wasn’t his first encounter with the Everton team. After his mum Joyce wrote to Howard Kendall about his illness the previous year, the club invited Jamie and his family to Bellefield (the club’s training ground at the time) and chatted to some of the players. The club got to know him and everyone wanted the best possible day for him.

I cannot thank everyone at Everton too much for what they have done. They have made Jamie the happiest little boy in the world.

Joyce Baker

On the day, Everton’s club officials welcomed Jamie and his family to Goodison. They were given a tour of the trophy room and were greeted by the referee of the game, Joe Worrall. Jamie was then handed his Everton kit to wear for the game and then he walked out of the tunnel with his heroes in front of nearly 26,000 fans at Goodison and millions of Match of the Day viewers at home. Jamie watched the game from the directors’ box with his sister and his mum. An already incredible day got even better for Jamie as Everton beat Manchester United 3-1, thanks to goals from Graeme Sharp, Kevin Sheedy and Adrian Heath.

A tremendous day for Jamie and his family. Exhausted from all the excitement, Jamie went home and straight to bed. Before his mum tucked him into bed, he told his mum:

Thanks, mum. It’s been a good day.

The next morning, his dad Ken came round to show him the newspaper stories about his day. However, Jamie couldn’t wake up. Hours after the best experience of his life, Jamie sadly passed away.

I am glad we helped to make his day. He was a smashing little lad. He had obviously gone through a lot, but he clearly enjoyed his visit. He was looking up to the players in awe. It was very sad for us because we knew what was wrong with him.

Graeme Sharp

I am so very sorry he has died, but at least his dream came true. He seemed overwhelmed to have taken part in the day.

Kevin Ratcliffe

It’s a great tragedy. I didn’t realise the lad was ill. The condolences of the club to his family.

Ron Atkinson, Manchester United manager

Everton paid their own tribute to Jamie in their programme for their match against Arsenal a couple of weeks after his death:

It was a devastating blow to everyone connected with Everton Football Club when we heard that Jamie Baker had died in his sleep after the happiest day of his life.

Only hours earlier, a nationwide television audience had shared Jamie’s pleasure when he and his twin sister, Brenda, were mascots for the day against Manchester United. Though we knew that he was ill, we were left with a numbing sense of despair when we learned that he hadn’t woken up the next morning. The only comfort in that time of grief was that Jamie had lived to enjoy an occasion he had dreamed of for so long.

Howard Kendall expressed the club’s deep sympathy to Jamie’s family, “For him to have been a mascot on Match of the Day, meeting the English and Welsh captains, means there is a permanent record of a day that he enjoyed so much. We sincerely hope that the video [of the match] brings them a bit of joy in the future.”

Jamie was known to the players for some time. They knew he had leukaemia and made him welcome at the training ground on a number of occasions. Subsequently, we received a request that he should be considered a mascot, and as doctors had advised an early holiday for him, we decided it should be earlier rather than later.

Jamie’s funeral took place on the Friday after his death and he was buried at the Garden of Rest in Thornton near Crosby. His coffin was carried by Everton representatives – coach Terry Darracott, promotions manager Ralph Williams, mascot overseer Derek Wallbank and, on behalf of the stewards, Ray Spriggs.

The Reverend Patrick Sykes said his last day was the greatest day of his life, adding:

What could you add to the final moments of Jamie’s last dramatic day? What more could you ask for Jamie than seeing his greatest wish come true – being mascot for his favourite football team, Everton?

Jamie touched the nation’s heart for a short while in a special way that is only given to a few people. His death will be shared in a similar way. A window has been opened on Jamie’s life which we have been able to look through for a short while. He was a brave young boy struggling against crippling illness but he bore his suffering with remarkable bravery for one so young.

At a time when football is reeling from a violent public image, it’s good to be able to show another side of the picture.

Peter Reid and Paul Bracewell went to the funeral, visibly weeping during the reverend’s eulogy. Other players and Howard Kendall could not attend as they had to travel to London for a match against Tottenham the next day.

But brave mum Joyce said she didn’t want anyone to be sad about Jamie’s death and that he had a great life and a fantastic day.

It was a dream come true for Jamie. The doctors told us he was dying and there wasn’t much hope, but we were praying he would be well enough to make it to the match. The club were fantastic and laid on everything. The players made a tremendous fuss of him. He led them on the pitch and even Bryan Robson, the Manchester United captain, had a chat with him.

Jamie had stars in his eyes. He loved Everton and was so excited about being on the pitch. There was a lump in my throat and tears rolling down my cheeks when I saw him walk out holding hands with Brenda. He did not know how ill he was, but he never complained. He was a real fighter.

I would not like anyone to be sad at Jamie going. He had a lovely life, even though it was only short.

A fund-raising match was subsequently arranged by Merseyside and Manchester-based branches of the Football Supporters Association. A Merseyside XI and a Manchester XI faced against each other to win the Jamie Baker Memorial Trophy and to raise money for Alder Hey’s leukaemia research fund.

Joyce was also extremely thankful for the support she received and that Jamie’s name will live on.

This has given the whole family a tremendous lift. To think that Jamie’s name will live on and help other children with leukaemia is marvellous. Ever since the Echo told Jamie’s story, the response has been incredible. We received sackloads of cards and flowers from strangers who shared our grief.

Donations to Alder Hey came flooding in, including:

• 1,500 people watched the Merseyside XI v Manchester XI match, which included Colin Harvey, Terry Darracott, Alec Stepney and Tony Book, raising £1,140 from the gate receipts, plus an extra £175 from a raffle.
• The Liverpool Echo raised £300 in a 7-a-side tournament.
• Morecambe and Wise scriptwriter Eddie Braben sold sets of cigarette cards which included boxing personalities, film stars, and a complete set of 1950s football players signed by Billy Liddell.
• An anonymous donor delivered an envelope containing £100 to the Liverpool Echo office.

The Everton players donated a sum of £1,000 from their own pockets. Howard Kendall was full of praise for them.

The players have made this donation and I think it is a tremendous gesture. So many people have said how sorry they were to hear what happened to Jamie. His death saddened everybody, especially at this club, and this shows how much the players care. They did this entirely on their own and Kevin Ratcliffe and the lads deserve full praise.

The donations helped build a new ward at Alder Hey, costing £200,000. The ward was built especially for children who were suffering from cancer, ensuring that Jamie’s legacy will live on.

Jamie Baker touched the hearts of Merseyside. Although his death brought a lot of sadness, at least his life couldn’t have had a more perfect end.