Sheffield United pay tribute to former defender George Baldock in their first home game since the 31-year-old’s tragic death

Sheffield United players, fans and staff paid tribute to their former defender George Baldock in their first home match since his tragic death.

Much-loved Baldock passed away earlier this month at the age of just 31. An English-born Greek international, he was playing for Panathinaikos at the time following a long stint at Sheffield United where he made 219 appearances – including 83 in the Premier League.

The footballing world was stunned by his passing, with tributes flooding in from his former colleagues and ex-clubs. The Blades, with whom Baldock enjoyed his best years as a professional, paid their respects during their Championship clash against Stoke City on Saturday.   

A minute’s silence was observed before kick-off as the Blades supporters unfurled a banner of their former hero. 

Manager Chris Wilder laid a wreath on the Bramall Lane pitch and the flag bearing the club’ crest that proudly sits atop the stadium was flown at half-mast. 

Sheffield United manager Chris Wilder laid a wreath on the Bamall Lane pitch ahead of kick-off

Everyone in attendance observed a minutes silence in Baldock honour on Saturday afternoon

Sheffield United supporters unfurled a banner in honour of the defender, who made more than 200 appearances for the club

Baldock’s jersey was then paraded around Bramall Lane by Sheffield United players after the match

The home side perfectly marked the occasion and secured a 2-0 win over the Potters thanks to goals from Kieffer Moore and Tyrese Campbell. 

After the final whistle, Blades players paraded Baldock’s jersey around the ground as Bramall Lane paid its respects to the former defender. 

‘We got the balance right, on and off the pitch.’ Wilder said after the match. ‘It all went as we would have loved it to have gone and the players were outstanding. I’m really proud of the players. We had to get the professionalism right; that was the biggest message to the players. And we did.

‘We controlled the game. It was a bit sloppy in the second half, with a couple of bits. You’re always wary that the opposition can get back into it and 2-0 is a dangerous scoreline. They were pushing people forward and taking risks. We could be better on the counter attack and we should have gone from two to three, but that’s 24 points from 12 games and I’m delighted with the players.’

He added: ‘It’s been the toughest two weeks, personally, of my time in football since I was 16. That’s the impact of it all, for the players and staff as well and even people in our canteen or people who saw someone every day.’

Sheffield United moved up to fourth in the Championship with the 2-0 win over Stoke City

Wilder praised his players for striking  the right balance on and off the pitch in what he described as the toughest couple of weeks he has experienced in football

Baldock, who won 12 caps for Greece, was found dead in the pool of his apartment in the south of Athens.

His fiancée had returned home to the UK with the couple’s young son to celebrate his first birthday. The defender was set to fly out the following day.

Baldock’s death was met with a huge outpouring of grief from Blades fans and the wider world of football.