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 departing over the summer for Greek side Panathinaikos, 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 pool of his home near Athens.
Tributes were similarly paid by his Greek international team-mates when they came up against England just a day later, including a heartfelt speech from the visitors’ captain at Wembley before pulling off 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 an emotional tribute to Baldock.
Sheffield United and Leeds paid tribute to the Blades’ former defender ahead of the game
Flowers were placed in front of the visiting fans by former team-mates Ethan Ampadu (left) and Jack Robinson (right)
Both sets of players gathered around the centre circle for a minute’s silence while the Elland Road crowd offered up applause for the duration instead
Former Sheffield United defender George Baldock died aged 31 in Greece after drowning in a pool
Both teams wore black armbands as a mark of respect in honour of Baldock, and Ethan Ampadu – now of Leeds – and Jack Robinson brought out flowers to lay before the Sheffield United fans.
Sheffield United boss Chris Wilder was wearing a black tie, and mentioned before the game how his former player ‘would have loved’ the occasion of a Yorkshire derby.
After a few words were read out by the Elland Road stadium announcer, both sets of players gathered around the centre circle to offer a minute’s silence in Baldock’s honour.
The Elland Road crowd 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,’ said Blades defender Anel Ahmedhodzic ahead of the game when asked about Baldock’s passing.
‘He was my partner when he was here, me and him – we dominated the right hand side.
‘He was the first one that really brought 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’s personally been a hard week.’
Fellow former team-mate and Blades legend Chris Basham was part of Sky Sports’ punditry team covering the game in Leeds on Friday night.
Messages, shirts and flowers have been left at the gates of Bramall Lane in the days since Baldock’s untimely passing
He added: ‘I was hit by it hard. My memories from a lot of games with him, I knew he would always be there for us. It wasn’t always merry between me and him, sometimes it was feisty, but that’s the character he is.
‘He wanted the best out of himself and everybody around him. He was the heartbeat of the dressing-room and the first to put the music on, in order to get the boys up for the game.
‘One-on-one he was probably the best I played with, he was very hard to get past, he set his standards really high playing against the best in the world internationally and for his club.
‘I’m hoping both teams tonight can give him the respect he deserves because he’s an outstanding person and he was an outstanding footballer as well.’
Messages, shirts and flowers have already been laid at Bramall Lane as fans laid their own tributes to their former player, in the wake of the sad news of his untimely death.
Blades boss Wilder – who signed the player to the club back in 2017 – revealed that it has been a trying time for his players, who are still coming to terms with the loss of their former team-mate.
‘It’s been really difficult,’ Wilder told BBC Radio Sheffield. ‘It puts everything into perspective, doesn’t it?
‘We’re in the industry of football, we’re football people, but there’s something miles bigger than the game of football on Friday.
‘I’m having to talk about the game, and having to talk about the sad passing of a player that meant so much to everybody here at Sheffield United.’
Chris Basham (centre) hailed his former team-mate (left) as one of the best he ever played with in one-on-one situations
Chris Wilder – who signed him to the Blades seven years ago – spoke about how ‘difficult’ the news has been
Baldock pictured 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 over 400 appearances in English football, had passed away.
He was discovered after his partner back home in England had been unable to get hold of him for several hours, local papers report.
The owner of his luxury property was reportedly contacted and apparently found him unresponsive in the pool. The emergency services were called and arrived in nine minutes, but he could not be revived.
Tests later found that he had drowned in the communal pool of his villa in Glyfada, an exclusive suburb south of Athens.
He had been due to fly home to celebrate his son’s first birthday before he died.
Despite being born in Buckinghamshire, Baldock has Greek ancestry and made 12 appearances for their 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 sung his name to the tune of the song by David Bowie as he ran down the wing.
He started his career at MK Dons and played in all of England’s top five divisions.
Greece secured a memorable win over England at Wembley just a day after Baldock was found dead at his home in Glyfada
James McAtee paid a tribute to Baldock after scoring for England U21s in the international break
James McAtee, a former team-mate from his days at Sheffield United, said: ‘I’ve been speaking to some of my old team-mates 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 looked after me.
‘I played for him and for what he gave me. Everyone knows that he’s a special player and a special person. I’m really emotional right now and wishing his family the best. It’s been a tough week.’
