Celebrating George Baldock

[Yogi]

A leader who whilst he was never given the armband optimised everything good about what it means to be a Sheffield United player.

 

[Torrix1889]

For me it was just his pure heart on the sleeve, fist pumping passion. Him and Bash were cut from the same cloth. If it kicked off, George was there in the middle, squaring up to 6ft plus opponents to defend the honour of his team mates.

 

[Linz]

 

[Millhousesblade1889]

Undoubtedly, Baldock embodied the very essence that every fan wants in a player representing their club. From the moment he joined the club, he wholeheartedly embraced the club's ethos, captivating the hearts of supporters. We had many discussions on here about his potential captaincy and that is a testament to the dedication and commitment he displayed on the pitch

Whenever Baldock played, it was a constant reminder to his teammates that complacency and half-hearted efforts would not be tolerated. He set the standard, inspiring those around him to match his determination.

 

[Bell4]

I know we have another thread already for our condolences but I also thought a space only for celebration of the moments and impact George Baldock had is warranted.

For a while George was my favourite player. I've always been one for mentality over technique and while "furious" had no little technique his mentality was absolutely the pinnacle and epitome of everything Sheffield United.

Weirdly one of my favourite Baldock memories wasn't him actually playing but of listening to Bladespod with Beans and Roygbiv debating weekly how "the angriest man in football" never got sent off. I think this sums up what I mean about mentality - Baldock would be ferociously competitive and go in for big tackles but if he was booked he could be trusted not to control and channel that streak for the team.

In terms of playing memories the ones that stand out at his battles with Zaha which were genuinely terrifying and fascinating to watch.
However the best memory for me is the Norwitch Prem goal. It absolutely summed us up at that point players playing with a bravery and a spark that they hadn't previously accessed. Baldock a player whose end product was sometimes questioned pulling out a cruff turn, reverse step over that sent the defender for a hot dog and then a lovely finish.

Rest in peace Starman - I'm sure there will be other memories too.

At one point , for a while , George and Enda were the best wing back combinations in world football - better than the two Liverpool lads

IMO

Immense player - immense part of our history -

Sad day

 

[dexter101]

George Baldock was for many us the guy we all wanted to be .

This. In everything he was.

I was talking to a friend recently and we got onto the conversation of who else would you want to be for just 24 hours. As they weren't a football fan I just said a Sheffield United player on a Saturday at 3pm. They pushed me for who and without hesitation it was Furious. If I was ever going to be lucky enough to be a player for Sheffield United, you would want to be exactly like him.

fists pumping, 100% committed, exciting, pure passion.

It feels too early to talk about tributes but, whatever we do, they had better be fucking special because he deserves it.

 

[loyalblade95]

The greatest RB/RWB I've ever seen at United, win, draw or lose always gave 100%.

Personal favourite moment for me was his goals against Norwich away, seeing him running back to the bench to celebrate.

Honourable mention to his goal against Swansea (just an unbelievable strike) and his goal against Cardiff away, which put us in first for a day before we went second and stayed there.

 

[Slim Man]

We signed Lundstram from Oxford, Baldock was on loan there in a prior season. I'm certain that we signed Baldock from MK Dons.

My bad Gin&Juice im misremembering. I was certain we signed him from Oxford but he’s right it’s Lundstram

 

[Gin&Juice]

My bad Gin&Juice im misremembering. I was certain we signed him from Oxford but he’s right it’s Lundstram

No worries. I thought i’d hallucinated.

 

[moody1889]

I will sum. It up shortly he epitomised what it meant to be a Blade he was someone you wanted with you in the trenches when you were struggling and he was always there trying to encourage his team mates and was always one for the first celebrating a goal or a win and getting stuck in when it kicked off to defend his brothers.

He brought pride and passion to our club and always got the fans going with his classic fist pump and celebrations.

He will always live on in our hearts and will always be our Star man bombing down the wing.

From his epic goal against Swansea to the iconic Mr Socko celebration with Billy at Carrow Road to his last ever goal for us against Cardiff Furious George will always be with us.

God Bless George Baldock forever in our hearts

Once a Blade always a Blade

 

[Slim Man]

No worries. I thought i’d hallucinated.

Don’t blame you. This past day feels like a fever dream

 

[Gin&Juice]

Don’t blame you. This past day feels like a fever dream

 

[S74Blade]

Reading these memories and tributes is making me smile and sad at the same time. Like people have said “he got the club, he got the fans” he had passion, enthusiasm and the ability to get the crowd going just by making a great tackle.
Thanks for the memories George RIP STARMAN!!

 

[Hillsboro Blade]

I find it hard to describe how the death of someone you’ve never met can upset me as this has. Like when one of musical favourites Fletch from Depeche Mode died last year. When David Bowie and Prince died, I think it’s because they make you smile, they bring happiness into your life and make things seem better in a World that can be cruel at times. Same with George, he made your weekends better. Win, lose or draw, he gave his all, I had so much admiration for his talent, spirit and effort.

 

[puppet]

I'm not one for celebrity death howls but reading this thread brought real tears to my eyes. Such a sad loss.

 

[Wireblade]

Jags vs Henry in the FA cup semi was the first time I remember seeing a blades player up against world class opposition and be an equal.
George did this repeatedly in the premier league. I always felt that 1 vs 1 he wouldn’t get beaten.
He seemed to play on the edge but it was carefully controlled aggression which very rarely crossed the line.
A perfect fit for the blades in every sense and seemed to “get it.”

 

[Ted Maul]

I'm not one for celebrity death howls but reading this thread brought real tears to my eyes. Such a sad loss.

Same. Never felt like this over someone I've never even met. When you read the thoughts of people who truly did know him like Norwood and McAtee it's absolutely heart wrenching. Was telling my Mrs about it all and ended up with tears rolling.

 

[Bladesman]

 

[niktheblade]

Sobbing a bit as I type for a bloke I didn't know.

However, I have met George once last year, just after the Newcastle debacle, my wife and I were in Olive on Eccy Road, it was about 5.30pm and we were the only ones in, sat with my back to the door when someone walked in and passed our table and I knew it was George.

As a nearly 40 year old I went full fan boy and plucked up the courage to ask him how his injury was and when he'd be back, we had a 15 minute or so chat while he waited for his take away and he was such a nice down to earth guy who clearly lived for football, he also clearly loved united and was talking about how all the lads were hurting after that game.

Hits really hard this one and i'm going to be a reyt mess at the Stoke game.

RIP Starman

 

[de g.]

My favourite performance of his was the first home game against Palace in 2019/20. He absolutely dismantled Zaha, a player Palace had just turned down £40m for, to such an extent that Hodgson had to switch him to the other wing at half time for the respite.

 

[Spindrift]

I remember him frustrating Wilfred Zaha throughout our 1-0 win at Selhurst Park. George got booked early in the game and was very nearly getting a second yellow for the rest of the game

Me too. Correct me if I am wrong, he also had a great solo effort in the second half, right into the Eagles box which very nearly paid off.
We all sang to Starman in appreciation
RIP

 

[SB_90]

this is a good idea ill share on here so of the ones ive got & seen over the last 12-18 hrs


View attachment 20230511_195259.mp4

 

[Shakespeare blade]

Mine was as simple as last season out injured for so long and we just got battered every game, no fight from anywhere, he then returned, we still got beat, we still got battered but opposition suddenly had to fight for the ball, he was in peoples faces, running himself into the ground, no hiding, just dug in shame he was on his own

 

[biggiesablade]

When he scored any goal never seen someone look so demented like he's going to windmill into stands. What a man such a surreal day

 

[Northernsoulblade]

For me George was part of the best fullback pairing since Badger & Hemsley a privilege too see them all
Sir Baldock the Blade Legend

 

[The Hobott]

Loved the frequent away fans view - "That George Baldock is a right c**t". That's right. He's our c**t. Thorn in every winger's side all game.

 

[mcbladeface]

I put it in the other thread but I'll put it in here too because I think it's just one of the many stories that sums him up.

It's not my story but a friend from work who was at bramall lane, picking up some stuff from the megastore. Outside she was looking at the walls with the commemorative bricks for one for a relative. Baldock was walking out, some kind of media duties or something and was presumably on his way home. She stopped and got his autograph for her kids. He then helped her look for quarter of an hour until she found it.

It's just a simple little gesture that demonstrates what a genuinely nice bloke he was to people. Didn't have to do it, no one would have thought any less of him for not. He just did it anyway.

 

[BiggerBladeThanThou]

True story.....I was at the promotion div 1 away game at MK Dons with my partner and grandson.
My partner can't stand football and has only seen us play about 3 times.

At half time I asked her what she thought of the match and she said 2 things.

1: She said the difference between Sheff Utd and MK Dons is that Sheff Utd play as a team.
She said my team look really good, so well drilled as players seem to know what to do and who to pass to.

2: She said their number 2, the little quick guy, was really good, saying he stands out as the only good player on the MK Dons team.
Of course she was talking about George, even back then she (someone with little football knowledge) noticed how good he was.

She just fancied him mate…

 

[Blade59]

At one point , for a while , George and Enda were the best wing back combinations in world football - better than the two Liverpool lads

IMO

Immense player - immense part of our history -

Sad day

Best fullback pairing since Badger and Hemsley

 

[Houston_Blade]

He signifies 2 fantastic memories for my eldest 2 kids.

The first is the goal away at Norwich, it was my Son’s first away game as a Blade and I just remember the away end going nuts and making the journey home so much better.

The second is that he held my daughter’s hand onto the pitch when she was a mascot, he also said a few calming words and she said he was “very kind”.

I loved him for his attitude, ability and the fact that he was obviously in love with the club. In an age where footballers are often dickheads he really wasn’t.