Sheffield United and Leeds pay emotional tribute to George Baldock in the Blades’ first game since the former defender passed away
Sheffield United and Leeds have come together to pay tribute to the late former Blades defender George Baldock at Elland Road.
Baldock spent seven years at Bramall Lane before leaving for Greek side Panathinaikos in the summer, and in that time he saw the Blades promoted to the Premier League twice.
Earlier this month, on Wednesday, October 9, the full-back was found dead after drowning in the swimming pool of his home near Athens.
Similarly, tributes were paid by his Greek international teammates when they played England a day later, including a heartfelt speech from the visitors’ captain at Wembley before completing a stunning 2-1 win.
Now, ahead of their first match since the tragic news was announced, Sheffield United and their Yorkshire rivals Leeds have both paid emotional tributes to Baldock.
Sheffield United and Leeds paid tribute to the former Blades defender ahead of the match
Flowers were placed for the visiting fans by former teammates Ethan Ampadu (left) and Jack Robinson (right)
Both groups of players gathered around the center circle for a minute’s silence, while the crowd at Elland Road gave applause instead.
Former Sheffield United defender George Baldock died aged 31 in Greece after drowning in a swimming pool
Both teams wore black armbands as a mark of respect in honor of Baldock, and Ethan Ampadu – now of Leeds – and Jack Robinson brought out flowers to lay in front of the Sheffield United fans.
Wearing a black tie, Sheffield United boss Chris Wilder said before the match that his former player would have ‘loved’ the opportunity of a Yorkshire derby.
After a few words were read out by the Elland Road stadium announcer, both players gathered around the center circle to observe a minute’s silence in honor of Baldock.
The crowd at Elland Road, meanwhile, offered applause for the duration of the minute, with Sheffield United fans holding up banners with Baldock’s face and name on them.
“Difficult,” Blades defender Anel Ahmedhodzic said before the match when asked about Baldock’s death.
“He was my partner when he was here, me and him – we dominated the right side.
“He was the first one who really got me into the group, it’s hard to put into words but he was such a great guy and it’s very, very sad. For me personally it has been a tough week.’
Fellow former teammate and Blades legend Chris Basham was part of Sky Sports’ expert team covering the match in Leeds on Friday evening.
Messages, shirts and flowers have been left at the gates of Bramall Lane in the days since Baldock’s untimely death
He added: “It hit me hard. From my memories of many matches with him, I knew he would always be there for us. It wasn’t always happy between me and him, sometimes it was tough, but that’s the character he is.
‘He wanted the best out of himself and everyone around him. He was the heartbeat of the locker room and the first to turn on the music to get the boys ready for the game.
“One-on-one he was probably the best I played with, he was very difficult to pass, he set his standards very high when he played internationally and for his club against the best in the world.
“I hope that both teams can give him the respect he deserves tonight because he is an excellent person and also an excellent footballer.”
Messages, shirts and flowers have already been left en masse at Bramall Lane following the sad news of his untimely death, as fans paid their own tributes to their former player.
Blades boss Wilder – who signed the player from the club in 2017 – revealed it has been a difficult time for his players, who are still coming to terms with the loss of their former teammate.
“It was very difficult,” Wilder told BBC Radio Sheffield earlier this week. “It puts everything into perspective, doesn’t it?
“We are in the football industry, we are football people, but there is something much bigger than the football game on Friday.
‘I need to talk about the game and the sad passing of a player who meant so much to everyone here at Sheffield United.’
Chris Basham (center) called his former teammate (left) one of the best he has ever played with in one-on-one situations
Chris Wilder – who signed him from the Blades seven years ago – spoke of how ‘difficult’ the news was
Baldock imagined himself playing for Panathinaikos earlier this month, just days before his death
The football world was in shock last week after it emerged that Baldock, who made more than 400 appearances in English football, had died.
He was discovered after his partner at home in England could not get hold of him for hours, local newspapers reported.
The owner of his luxury home was reportedly contacted and found him apparently unconscious in the pool. Emergency services were called and arrived within nine minutes, but he could not be resuscitated.
Tests later showed he had drowned in the communal pool of his villa in Glyfada, an exclusive suburb south of Athens.
He was supposed to fly home to celebrate his son’s first birthday before he died.
Despite being born in Buckinghamshire, Baldock has Greek descent and made twelve appearances for his international side.
Baldock was nicknamed ‘Furious George’ by Sheffield United fans who loved his uncompromising style and win-at-all-costs attitude. Supporters also called him ‘Starman’ – and sang his name to the tune of the song from David Bowie as he ran along the wing.
He started his career with MK Dons and played in all of England’s top five divisions.
Greece recorded a memorable victory over England at Wembley, just a day after Baldock was found dead at his home in Glyfada
James McAtee paid tribute to Baldock after he scored for England U21s during the international break
James McAtee, a former teammate from his days at Sheffield United, said: “I’ve spoken to some of my old teammates and it’s been hard to talk to them, to be honest.
‘Even when I left (Sheffield United) he was still texting me asking if I needed anything. When I was there, he welcomed me with open arms, he took care of me.
‘I played for him and for what he gave me. Everyone knows he is a special player and a special person. I am very emotional right now and wish his family the best. It’s been a tough week.’