George Baldock’s touching parting message to Sheffield United fans when he left the club this summer has resurfaced after his death aged 31.
The football world was left in shock on Wednesday evening when reports in Greece claimed he had been found dead in a swimming pool in a suburban Athenian villa.
Baldock had moved to Panathinaikos this summer after playing for the Blades for seven seasons, winning two promotions to the Premier League.
At Bramall Lane he became popular for his full-blooded style and was even duibebd by some as ‘Furious George’, giving his all for the shirt.
Baldock filmed a video with Sheffield United when he left and it begins: ‘To all you Sheffield United fans, it’s a huge thank-you from me.
Former Sheffield United defender George Baldock has reportedly died aged 31 in Greece
The footballer moved to Greek club Panathinaikos in the summer and was found dead in his swimming pool on Wednesday night
‘You’ve been absolutely amazing. Your support has been so much more than I ever expected. Like I said, you’re the best around.
‘Keep supporting the team and the staff and hopefully the club can get back to where we all want it to be.
‘I leave here as a massive fan of the club. Good luck and thank you.’
Greek outlets such as Sport24 and SDNA claim that his wife had tried to contact him for several hours without reply on Wednesday.
Eventually she got in touch with the owner of his villa in Glyfada, a suburb south of Athens, who went to the property and found him in the pool.
Despite being born in Buckinghamshire, he played for Greece 12 times. He started his career at MK Dons and played in all of England’s top five divisions.
After searching the suburban property, they found Baldock in the communal pool and called the emergency services.
He was reportedly in the water for several hours before he was found, according to images seen by the response unit.
Baldock, 31, was starting a new life in Greece before he passed away
The defender acquired the nickname ‘Furious George’ due to his aggressive style
Sheffield United posted on X: ‘Sheffield United Football Club is shocked and extremely saddened to learn of the passing of former player, George Baldock,’ they posted on X.
‘The defender left the club in the summer after seven years at Bramall Lane and was extremely popular with supporters, staff and team-mates who pulled on a red and white shirt alongside him.
‘The sincere condolences of everyone associated with Sheffield United are extended to George’s family and friends.’
His boyhood club, MK Dons, said they were ‘devastated’ to hear the news, in an emotional post as they said he ‘will always be one of our own’.
They said: ‘We are deeply devastated and saddened to learn about the shocking news of former Academy graduate and MK Dons player, George Baldock.
‘George started his career at Stadium MK, where he worked his way through the youth ranks and made his senior career debut at the Club before reaching the heights of the Premier League in later years.
‘Everyone affiliated with MK Dons shares a great love for George, Sam and the Baldock family, and we would like to share our sincerest condolences during these awful times.
‘You will always be one of our own, George.’
After his wife was unable to contact him, the owner of the villa searched the property and found him in the pool
Baldock played in the Premier League and Championship with Sheffield United for seven years
Also responding to the news, England football’s official account said they were ‘extremely saddened’ to hear the news.
They continued: ‘We’re extremely saddened by the passing of George Baldock.
‘George was close to many of our players, and represented Greece – our opponents on Thursday night. We’re thinking of George’s family, friends and team-mates at club and country at this difficult time.’
The English Football League added that he made a ‘lasting impact’, with his time at Sheffield United, Oxford United, Northampton Town and MK Dons.
The Greece Super League further shared their ‘deepest condolences’ following the news.
A heartbroken Sheffield United paid tribute to their former player as they announced the news to their fans
And his boyhood club, MK Dons, said they were ‘devastated’ to hear the news, in an emotional post as they said he ‘will always be one of our own’
They said: ‘The entire Super League football family expresses its deep sorrow for the untimely loss of Panathinaikos and our National Team footballer, George Baldock, and extends its deepest condolences to his family and loved ones.’
Baldock was long a mainstay of English football, amassing 219 appearances at Sheffield United alone.
