Latest news with #GeorgeBaldock
The Independent
23-05-2025
- Sport
- The Independent
Blades boss hopes George Baldock is remembered ‘in an incredibly positive way'
Sheffield United boss Chris Wilder wants to win promotion to the Premier League for the memory of former player George Baldock. The right-back, who played 219 times in seven years for the Blades before being released at the end of last season, tragically died in October, aged 31. A Greece international through his grandmother, Baldock joined Greek Super League team Panathinaikos last summer and drowned in a swimming pool in Athens. The Blades have paid tribute to him throughout the season and would love to give him the ultimate one by beating Sunderland in the Championship play-off final at Wembley. 'Every club has got their own stories,' Wilder said. 'This is a story that's not fabricated, it's not false. 'This is somebody that was an incredibly popular player for the football club, who some of the players that are still with us played with and lived nine or 10 months of their lives with. 'These are all things that have happened to us, and I think the club and the players have handled it incredibly well and gone about it the right way. Remembering George, which is really important. 'It won't be the be-all and end-all. It won't be anybody's fault if we don't get the result we want and it won't be the reason if we do get the result we want. But it's just part of life. Unfortunately people lose their lives. 'There are sad stories to go with happy stories, but hopefully we can remember George, which we have done so far this season, in an incredibly positive way on Saturday afternoon. 'You'd have to ask the players what motivation it gives them. They'll have their own motivation. But he's with us. We're proud of his contributions to our football club and incredibly sad he's not with us.' Wilder's side are favourites to end their play-off hoodoo at the 10th attempt, with nine previous play-off campaigns – including three Championship finals – having ended in defeat. They finished 14 points clear of the Black Cats in the regular league campaign and Wilder says they are in good shape to finish the job and earn an instant return to the Premier League. 'We haven't had to manage the players at all,' the boss added. 'They're focused. We're always looking and getting the feel right. I know it's been said by a lot of people, but there's a load of energy around this football club at the moment and we have to take that into Saturday. 'Physically, we're in a great place from an availability point of view. Tactically, we've got to find a way to get the job done, to execute the game plan. Technically, we've got really good players, that's the good thing about it. 'I've got a real good group of players, who can produce big moments. Who can keep clean sheets, who can play on the big stage and in the big occasions.'
BBC News
14-05-2025
- Sport
- BBC News
'Starman' playing his part in Blades promotion push
The 12th man usually refers to a club's passion from the stands, the noise, the energy to give the players that extra boost to get them over the Sheffield United supporters will indeed need to be the 12th man at Wembley in the Championship play-off final, but the players already have a 12th man on their fact, his presence has been felt since 9 October last death of multi-promotion-winning Greece international George Baldock sent shockwaves not just through the red and white half of Sheffield, but the wider world of seven-year stay at Bramall Lane ended just a few months earlier, when the 31-year-old started an exciting new adventure at Greek giants young father made just four appearances for the 20-time Greek champions before being found dead in the swimming pool of his house in was a hugely popular player and person at Sheffield United with teammates, staff and supporters no surprise the Blades first two league defeats of the season were at Leeds and Middlesbrough in the first two games after news broke of his were many tributes at both those games, and the tributes have continued throughout the Wilder held George's number 2 shirt aloft in front of the away end at Hillsborough after the Blades completed a league double against city rivals Sheffield was an emotional pause after two minutes in long-time teammate Chris Basham's testimonial during the second half of United's play-off semi-final second-leg victory against Bristol City, there were multiple, spine-tingling renditions of George's 'Starman' song, with every single Blades supporter standing and singing at the top of their are many reasons to believe that this is going to be the year that Sheffield United finally end their wait for play-off Blades finished third in the Championship, by some distance. It's their tenth play-off campaign, and it's 100 years since they last won at Wembley. It's also Wilder's first play-off campaign with his boyhood Blades and he's already a play-off winner with Oxford are stories everywhere in football, and everyone involved in the Championship play-off final will have their own heartfelt story involving their family, friends and/or individual it just feels like Starman George Baldock is set to inspire Sheffield United to earn their place back among the Premier League's stars.
Daily Mirror
14-05-2025
- Sport
- Daily Mirror
Memories of tragic George Baldock are pushing Sheffield United towards promotion
Former Sheffield United right-back George Baldock died in Greece in October at the age of 31, but he is being remembered by the Blades as they push for promotion Chris Wilder says the memory of tragic George Baldock is driving Sheffield United towards an instant Premier League return. The Blades have the worst play-offs record in the country - nine attempts to negotiate the end-of-season ropewalk, nine failures - and manager Wilder is just about the only person at Bramall Lane who knows what it's like to win promotion at Wembley. But the club's heartwarming tributes to their former full-back, who died in Greece last October aged 31, has become a powerful motivation to rewrite history. Fans sang Baldock's name in their adapted David Bowie 'Starman' tribute throughout Monday night's 3-0 win against Bristol City, which completed the record aggregate score in a Championship play-off semi-final (6-0). And on the players' lap of honour, holding a Greece flag adorned with their former team-mate's nickname and squad number, the connection was more vivid than ever. Wilder, who led Oxford United back into the Football League with a play-off final triumph against York City at Wembley 15 years ago, said: "He's with us all the way. 'His shirt's up in every changing room, home and away. We reference him all the time - and we should do because of his career, his journey before us and his journey with us, which was amazing. 'Obviously the tragic situation that we had to deal with, let alone what his family's had to deal with, is incredible, so he's with us, and he would have enjoyed that performance. "He was a winner, and he wanted to prove himself. Wanted to be part of the team. He's a great example to all our players.' Baldock made 219 appearance in seven years for the Blades before he was released at the end of last season. A Greece international through his grandmother's ancestry, he joined Greek Super League club Panathinaikos last summer but was found drowned in a swimming pool seven months ago. Wilder hopes the Blades can harness the tragedy and turn into an irresistible force to secure his second promotion at Wembley in a play-off final. He has happy memories of 2010, when he ended Oxford's four-year exile from the EFL, saying: 'It was a great day for club under huge pressure, so there was no other option but winning. 'I had the late, great Jim Smith, who was on the board, barking in my ear - and the Bald Eagle was a Sheffield Wednesday fan - saying, 'You had better win it because the club could go under.' 'We went 2-0 up before our keeper chucked one in and we could only relax when Alfie Potter wrapped it up in the last minute. Everyone talks about winning at Wembley being the best way to go up, but I've got to say my preference is automatic promotion.' Wilder admitted he was envious of Leeds and Burnley, whose players have been sunning themselves in Las Vegas after reaching 100 points to rejoin the elite, while the Blades were left to negotiate the play-offs despite collecting 90 points. But he added: 'The lads have handled it immensely well and to round it off at Wembley would be magical. I don't feel there's a negativity because of our previous play-off campaigns. There's a freshness about it, a real belief that we can make history and put to bed all that. 'It isn't easy to go straight back up. It's not straightforward. And we pushed and pushed all season. We got 90 points, and for two teams to get to 100 points in the same season is insane. 'With the narrative of Sheffield United's play-off history and stuff like that, we've had to to make sure that we were right on it.'
Scottish Sun
12-05-2025
- Sport
- Scottish Sun
Sheffield United pay incredible tribute to late George Baldock during play-off clash after tragic death aged just 31
Baldock won two promotions to the Prem with the Blades 'STAR MAN' Sheffield United pay incredible tribute to late George Baldock during play-off clash after tragic death aged just 31 SHEFFIELD UNITED paid an emotional tribute to late club legend George Baldock after they booked their place in the play-off final. Baldock's name echoed around Bramall Lane after the Blades saw off a 6-0 aggregate win over Bristol City on Monday night. Advertisement 4 Sheffield United paid an emotional tribute to late club legend George Baldock Credit: Alamy 4 Sheffield United players held up a Greek Flag with 'Star Man' written on it Credit: Shutterstock Editorial 4 Before kick-off a huge Tifo was placed over the home section with his face alongside with the words: 'Once a Blade, always a Blade.' Credit: Shutterstock Editorial Baldock was found dead at his home in Athens in October 2024 after joining Greek team Panathinaikos FC last summer. The right wing-back drowned in his swimming pool before medics failed to resuscitate him. And after booking their place at Wembley on May 24, Baldock's former club organised a touching tribute in his honour. All sections of the ground rose to sing "Star Man" in unison, which was a chant created about Baldock to the tune of David Bowe's iconic song during his playing days. Advertisement And Chris Wilder's side paraded the Greek flag around the pitch at full-time to pay their own tribute. The flag had "Star Man" and Baldock's shirt number, which was No2, written in bold. Before kick-off a huge Tifo was placed over the home section with Baldock's picture alongside with the words: "Once a Blade, always a Blade." And former Everton star Tom Davies was spotted walking with the Greek flag draped around him. Advertisement 4 Tom Davies was spotted walking with the Greek flag around him at full-time Credit: PA Goals from Kieffer Moore, Gustavo Hamer and Callum O'Hare saw the home side enjoy a 3-0 win in the second leg, adding to the comprehensive victory by the same scoreline at Ashton Gate. The Blades will face either Sunderland or Coventry in the final in two weeks time, with the Black Cats leading that tie 2-1 heading into Tuesday night's second leg. Baldock made more than 400 appearances in English football and spent seven seasons at Bramall Lane last summer. Advertisement He made 219 appearances in all competitions for the Blades, helping them to promotion to the Premier League in 2019 - and again in 2023. Baldock was found unresponsive in his pool after his partner, who was in the UK, reportedly raised the alarm because he was not answering his phone. Paying tribute, his family said: "You were the most special father, fiancé, son, brother, uncle, friend, teammate and person. 'Your enthusiasm and infectious personality brought so much love to those that were fortunate enough to know you and those that adored you from the stands."
The Irish Sun
12-05-2025
- Sport
- The Irish Sun
Sheffield United pay incredible tribute to late George Baldock during play-off clash after tragic death aged just 31
SHEFFIELD UNITED paid an emotional tribute to late club legend George Baldock after they booked their place in the play-off final. Baldock's name echoed around Bramall Lane after the Blades saw off a 6-0 aggregate win over Bristol City on Monday night. Advertisement 4 Sheffield United paid an emotional tribute to late club legend George Baldock Credit: Alamy 4 Sheffield United players held up a Greek Flag with 'Star Man' written on it Credit: Shutterstock Editorial 4 Before kick-off a huge Tifo was placed over the home section with his face alongside with the words: 'Once a Blade, always a Blade.' Credit: Shutterstock Editorial was at his home in Athens in October 2024 after joining Greek team Panathinaikos FC last summer . The right wing-back And after booking their place at Wembley on May 24, Baldock's former club organised a touching tribute in his honour. All sections of the ground rose to sing "Star Man" in unison, which was a chant created about Baldock to the tune of David Bowe's iconic song during his playing days. Advertisement READ MORE FOOTBALL NEWS And Chris Wilder's side paraded the Greek flag around the pitch at full-time to pay their own tribute. The flag had "Star Man" and Baldock's shirt number, which was No2, written in bold. Before kick-off a huge Tifo was placed over the home section with Baldock's picture alongside with the words: "Once a Blade, always a Blade." And former Advertisement Most read in Football Latest 4 Tom Davies was spotted walking with the Greek flag around him at full-time Credit: PA Goals from Kieffer Moore, Gustavo Hamer and Callum O'Hare saw the home side enjoy a 3-0 win in the second leg, adding to the comprehensive victory by the same scoreline at Ashton Gate. The Blades will face either Sunderland or Coventry in the final in two weeks time, with the Black Cats leading that tie 2-1 heading into Tuesday night's second leg. Baldock made more than 400 appearances in English football and spent seven seasons at Bramall Lane last summer. Advertisement He made 219 appearances in all competitions for the Blades, helping them to promotion to the Premier League in 2019 - and again in 2023. Baldock was found Paying tribute, his family said: "You were the most special father, fiancé, son, brother, uncle, friend, teammate and person. 'Your enthusiasm and infectious personality brought so much love to those that were fortunate enough to know you and those that adored you from the stands." Advertisement
