MK Dons pay emotional tribute to their former player George Baldock before game against Port Vale after the Greece international passed away aged 31
MK Dons paid an emotional tribute to their former player George Baldock ahead of their League Two match at home to Port Vale on Saturday.
Greek international Baldock, 31, was found dead in the swimming pool of his home in Athens this week.
Baldock started his career at MK Dons after playing in the academy and went on to make 125 senior appearances for the club.
He made his first-team debut against Brighton in May 2010 and remained at MK Dons until 2017, also having loan spells at Northampton, Tamworth (twice), IBV and Oxford.
A minute’s silence was held before Saturday’s match, with players from both teams wearing black armbands, while a shirt with ‘Baldock 2’ on the back was placed in the home dugout.
MK Dons paid tribute to their former player George Baldock ahead of the clash with Port Vale
Players from both teams wore black armbands and a minute’s silence was held
Fans paid tribute to Baldock, with a message on a flag: ‘George Baldock RIP, MK legend’
Supporters also paid tribute to Baldock, with one fan displaying an England flag with the message ‘George Baldock RIP, MK legend’.
Before the match, fans were invited to sign a book of condolence.
Port Vale won 1-0 with Antwoine Hackford scoring in the 77th minute.
Baldock joined Sheffield United in 2017 and has made 83 appearances in the Premier League for the Blades.
He signed for Panathinaikos in the summer and was capped twelve times by Greece.
Fans were invited to sign a book of condolence and pay their own tribute to Baldock
Baldock joined Sheffield United from MK Dons and went on to play in the Premier League
Greece paid tribute to Baldock as they defeated England 2-1 at Wembley on Thursday evening.
Before the match, Greece captain Anastasios Bakasetas gave an emotional speech in honor of Baldock.
Bakasetas said: “We know very well what a team we are and what we have achieved to get here.
‘We have nothing to fear from anyone and we will show that from the first minute. We know the specificity of the game, many of us know what George means.
“George has always been an example for the team, giving his soul, putting the team above all else and even sacrificing his physical integrity.
‘Today in the match will be our example. Each of us will sacrifice ourselves to honor him as he deserves. Let’s all be ready.’
James McAtee dedicated his two goals for England Under-21s against Ukraine to Baldock on Friday evening.
McAtee was teammates with Baldock during two loan spells at Sheffield United.