- The England-born Greece international drowned in his swimming pool at the age of 31
- Baldock spent sevens with the Blades, making 219 appearances for the club
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Sheffield United players, fans and staff paid tribute to their former defender George Baldock in their first home game since his tragic death.
The beloved Baldock passed away earlier this month at the age of just 31. The English-born Greece international was playing for Panathinaikos at the time after a long spell at Sheffield United, where he made 219 appearances, including 83 in the Premier League. .
The football world was shocked by his death, and tributes poured in from his former colleagues and ex-clubs. The Blades, with whom Baldock enjoyed his best years as a professional, paid their respects during their championship match against Stoke City on Saturday.
A minute’s silence was observed before kick-off as Blades supporters unfurled a banner of their former hero.
Manager Chris Wilder laid a wreath on the Bramall Lane pitch and the flag bearing the club’s logo, which sits proudly atop the stadium, was flown at half-mast.
Sheffield United manager Chris Wilder laid a wreath on the Bamall Lane pitch before kick-off
All those present observed a minute’s silence in honor of Baldock on Saturday afternoon
Sheffield United supporters unfurled a banner in honor of the defender, who made more than 200 appearances for the club
Baldock’s jersey was then paraded through Bramall Lane by Sheffield United players after the match
The home side rose to the occasion perfectly, securing a 2-0 win over the Potters thanks to goals from Kieffer Moore and Tyrese Campbell.
After the final whistle, Blades players paraded around the ground wearing Baldock’s jersey as Bramall Lane paid its respects to the former defender.
‘We have found the right balance, both on and off the field.’ Wilder said after the match. ‘It all went as we would have liked and the players were excellent. I’m really proud of the players. We had to get the professionalism right; that was the biggest message to the players. And we did.
‘We controlled the match. In the second half it was a bit sloppy, with a few bits. You are always on guard that the opponent can get back in and 2-0 is a dangerous score. They pushed people forward and took risks. We could have been better on the counter-attack and we should have gone from two to three, but that is 24 points from twelve games and I am very happy with the players.’
He added: “It has personally been the toughest two weeks of my time in football since I was 16. That is the impact of all this, also for the players and the staff and even for the people in our canteen or for people who saw someone every day. .’
Sheffield United moved up to fourth place in the Championship with their 2-0 win over Stoke City
Wilder praised his players for finding the right balance on and off the pitch in what he described as the toughest few weeks he has faced in football.
Baldock, who won 12 caps for Greece, was found dead in the swimming pool of his apartment in southern Athens.
His fiancée had returned to Britain with the couple’s young son to celebrate his first birthday. The defender would leave the next day.
Baldock’s death was met with an enormous outpouring of grief among Blades fans and the wider football world.