George Baldock: Wife reveals tragic footballer was due to fly home for son's 1st birthday
George Baldock passed away at his home in Athens before the Panathinaikos defender was able to return to England to celebrate his son's first birthday with his family
by Scott Trotter · The MirrorGeorge Baldock was due to fly home to celebrate his son's first birthday before his death.
The former Sheffield United defender was found dead in the swimming pool at his villa in Athens on Wednesday night. His wife raised the alarm after failing to reach him from their home in England and Baldock is understood to have been dead for five hours before being found by the owner of the villa.
Baldock left the Blades to join Panathinaikos over the summer and had been scheduled to return to England the day following his death. Tributes poured in for the Greece international, whose team-mates claimed a first-ever win at Wembley and paid tribute to Baldock before the game and after both goals.
In a heartbreaking statement, Baldock's family revealed the tragic nature of the footballer's death. That included how a period in which they expected to be celebrating, sees them mourn.
"We are heartbroken with the sudden passing of our beloved George. We can confirm that a post-mortem examination has found that George tragically drowned whilst swimming in the pool at his home in Glyfada, Athens," a statement from the family read.
"George, 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.
"We will forever cherish the special memories we have of you and you will continue to live on in your beautiful son. You were due to fly home today for us to celebrate his first birthday together, but instead we mourn your loss.
"As a family it has been incredibly touching, but equally so very difficult to read the huge number of tributes written by those that knew George and from those whose life he touched.
"It was impossible not to love him. We ask that you please continue to respect our privacy at this devastating time as we begin to process our grief."
UEFA sanctioned a series of tributes ahead of and during Thursday's Nations League clash between England and Greece. A minute's silence was held in memory of the 31-year-old, while players and coaching staff from both teams wore black armbands.
UEFA said in a statement: "UEFA would like to send its condolences to the family of George Baldock, the Hellenic Football Federation (HFF) and Panathinaikos FC following the Greek international's sudden and untimely death. Following a request by the HFF, a minute's silence will be observed ahead of tonight's UEFA Nations League match between England and Greece at Wembley Stadium, with both teams wearing black armbands during the game."
Sheffield United supporters laid flowers and shirts bearing Baldock's name outside of Bramall Lane. Arsenal legend Ian Wright delivered an emotional tribute of his own to Baldock, having coached him during his youth at MK Dons. Wright told ITV : "Terrible news, shocking news.
"In this time, you cannot help but think about his friends and his family, obviously. I spoke to [former MK Dons manager] Karl Robinson last night, he was devastated himself. It was a real blow. [He was] hard-working, determined, he was somebody that you always thought, the way he applied himself, he was probably gonna get to where he wanted to go, which was the Premier League. I'm very sorry and all my condolences go to his family."
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