Sheffield United have announced the death of former player George Baldock at age 31. George was a stalwart at right-back during the Blades’ rise to the Premier League, and will be remembered by all at Bramall Lane as one of the best to ever wear red and white.
I don’t think there will ever be another player like George Baldock. It’s said almost every time an emotional event in football occurs, whether it be a retirement or otherwise, however it’s hard to think of anyone the phrase applies to more than George. In the most loving terms I can possibly express, he was the maddest bastard I’ve ever watched. Whether it was sprinting half the length of the pitch after scoring a Puskas-worthy goal against Swansea, celebrating with a ball boy like we’d just won the treble after a last-minute goal against Blackburn or his constant unyielding passion for his team. At Sheffield United, we called him “furious George” for his fiery personality, and marvel at the fact that he never received a single red card in seven years for the Blades. Yet, behind all this was one of the kindest, most caring people not just in the sport, but on the planet. George Baldock was a character and a half.
United’s number 2 had described signing for The Blades as the “best decision I ever made”, and having heard the news of his passing, I can only hope he knew how much he meant to us. In the words of his teammate, Oli Mcburnie, George was loved by everyone he came across, including the fans. Sheffield United have seen some of the best defenders in the English game wear our badge in Kyle Walker, Harry Maguire and Phil Jagielka, but it was always George I looked up to. His infectious positivity and passion, even in some of the darkest moments in the club’s history, has taught me a lot.
Our club and our city are still reeling from the deaths of SUFC Women’s captain, Maddy Cusack and popular social media figure Johnny Gascoigne in the past year, so losing our George has left us deflated and numb. However, tributes to the right-back on social media have not only been heartwarming, but speak to who George was as a person. Teammates, former managers, even Sheffield Wednesday had nothing but love to share. This is how he will be remembered. A brilliant player, but an even better person.
Thank you, George.
