GEORGE BALDOCK told team-mates he was devastated to miss his son’s 1st birthday just a day before he tragically passed away.
The footballer was found dead at his home in Athens, Greece on October 9 after drowning in his pool.
On the day of the 31-year-old’s sad passing, Baldock reported to his club Panathinaikos’ training ground for treatment on a minor injury.
His team-mate and close friend Hordur Magnusson was also there and remembers getting a warm embrace from him.
After doing some light jogging, he joined players Erik Palmer-Brown and Alexander Jeremejeff in the sauna.
The pair teased Baldock about being “father of the year” – an inside joke they shared – which had extra meaning that day as it was his son Brody’s first birthday.
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Palmer-Brown told The Athletic that his last memory of the ex-Sheffield United star was him admitting: “But it’s a bit s*** I’m not there.”
Baldock then told his team-mates he was thrilled to be flying back to England the next day to visit his little boy and fiancee Annabel.
Unfortunately, he never made it and died later that night.
After his sauna, the right-back was dropped home by fellow defender Bart Schenkeveld, who was one of the last people to see him.
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Annabel soon became worried that night as she had unusually not heard from her husband-to-be just hours before he was set to come home.
She reached out to his landlord and he visited the property – only to find Baldock dead in his pool.
Medics were called but they were unable to save him.
News quickly spread and several Panathinaikos players went to Baldock’s house that night.
Magnusson was there, explaining: “I went to try to help because I didn’t believe that George was dead.
“But when I saw 20 police guys on motorbikes outside his house, and the ambulance as well, the club staff members and the investigative police going inside, then I realised: ‘F***. He’s gone.’”
Palmer-Brown reveals he has been struggling to sleep, saying: “It was one of the darkest days of my life.
“I don’t see myself just moving on and playing football happily ever again. I’ve never felt like this before.”
Baldock’s death has also hit his former Sheffield United pals hard.
Little Brody is going to grow up and never know what a top man his dad was.
Oli McBurnie
Oli McBurnie said: “George loved his missus and his little boy so much. They’re the people in this that I really feel sorry for.
“I know how hard it’s been for me and some of the other boys who love him, but little Brody is going to grow up and never know what a top man his dad was.
“Me and the boys have said that it’s our duty to be part of his life and try to remind him at every opportunity how much of an amazing person his dad was.”
Baldock’s death came on the eve of Greece’s 2-1 win over England.
He played for the Greek national side as he was eligible via his grandparents and was only not in the squad because of his minor injury.
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Police are investigating his death but have ruled out any criminal activity.
Toxicology reports could take as long as 45 days to come back.
Dominating Mbappe, Premier League Iron Man, promotion hero: A tribute to George Baldock
By Kostas Lianos, Digital Sports Reporter
IT was back in 2019 when Greece legend Vasilis Torosidis – the heir to Euro 2004 hero Giourkas Seitaridis – retired from international duty after 101 caps.
A giant void was left behind at right-back, many talented players tried to step up – and none of them could fill those big boots.
But, soon enough, I started to hear whispers about a Premier League ace with Greek heritage who’s a starter week-in and week-out…
That was none other than George Baldock, born in Buckingham on March 9, 1993, to English parents but qualified for Greece through his grandmother.
And what a season he was having. The right-back starred for Sheffield United as they surprised the Prem in the 2019-20 campaign – their first in 12 years – by finishing in the top half of the table.
Baldock was among their standout players as he registered a staggering 3,420 minutes played – the joint highest along with the likes of Declan Rice and Virgil van Dijk.
The defender was keen to make the big step to the international stage with his grandmother’s homeland – and it didn’t take long until he shook hands with the Greek football federation (EPO) chiefs.
However, a long and arduous paperwork slog stood in the way – with the then Sheffield United star claiming Covid-19 and Brexit slowed things down.
Greece finally got the right-back they were begging for for years as Baldock made his debut on June 2, 2022 in a Nations League clash at Northern Ireland as a late substitute.
It didn’t take long until the English-born ace owned the right flank at the back and impressive performances followed.
Perhaps none compare to the Euro 2024 qualifier against France in June 2023 when Baldock did the unthinkable and kept Kylian Mbappe quiet for 104 MINUTES, despite being injured and playing through “unimaginable” pain.
I still remember speaking to then-Greece manager Gus Poyet about his player’s stunning performance, and I will never forget the big smile the Chelsea legend had on his face.
Poyet reminded me of a proud father as he took me through the injury hell the full-back endured before squaring up against perhaps the world’s best player for his country.
A beaming Poyet told me: “Against the Republic of Ireland [three days beforehand] – and now that it is finished I can say it – after 20 minutes he had a very bad twist in his ankle, very bad. He was very close to come out. I asked him, ‘Can you hold until half-time?’
“At half-time his ankle was very, very swollen. He asked for a strapping and he asked me for five minutes. Give me five minutes and we’ll let you know. And he had an unbelievable second half running up and down and being outstanding.
“You don’t imagine the ankle after the game. You don’t imagine the ankle the day after, after the flight to France. Black and blue – swollen. And a day-and-a-half later you need to play against Mbappe.
“Ninety per cent of people will think, no chance. And I keep talking to him, individually. And he keeps saying to me, ‘Coach I’m gonna be there no worries’.
“And he didn’t play 20 minutes, he didn’t play 60 minutes, he played 104 minutes because the referee gave 14 minutes of injury time against Mbappe.”
It’s easy to understand how loyal Baldock was to every team he ever played for during his 15-year career, just by looking at his stats.
The Greek ace started his career at MK Dons in 2009 where he amassed a staggering 125 appearances throughout an eight-year stint that also saw him playing on loan for Northampton Town, Tamworth, IBV and Oxford United.
The defender joined Sheffield United in 2017 and registered a whopping 219 appearances in seven years that also saw him helping his team achieve two Premier League promotions.
Baldock’s work ethic and commitment was no different in Greece as he proudly stated two years ago: “To play for the national side is a great honour and a lot of pride involved for me and my family.
“Representing my country through my late grandmother, it’s a very proud moment for me and my family. I love the country and I will fight for every success”
Baldock never played for England at any level, but he always competed like a lion and he proved it on Sunday in his last ever match when he started for Panathinaikos, whom he joined in the summer, against eternal rivals Olympiacos in perhaps the most intense derby in Europe.
He served his team with honour as he helped them pick up a valuable point in a goalless draw against their in-form foes, who had just played their best game of the season with a 3-0 win over Braga in the Europa League a few days earlier.
He only managed 12 caps for Greece before his sudden and tragic death at the age of 31 on Wednesday in Athens.
But his fighting spirit and charisma at right-back with the white and blue, as well as his remarkable run in the Premier League and the Championship, show that he is leaving a legacy behind for many Greek and English fans to look up to.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
