George Baldock RIP

[WhiteHawk]

 

[Scarebus]

Was just thinking about how we was pleased we was getting rid of injury prone older players back in June. Makes you think how the so called beautiful game turns so dehumanised at times.

Couldn't agree more. I despise the terminology used to describe some of those players.

 

[MKDinPeace]

Milton Keynes fan in peace.

Read through all 27 pages. I knew Blades fans adored him but I didn't know just how much until going through all that.

I'm still in shock, as is everyone at our club. George joined our academy at the age of 8. His older bro Sam was one of the few who was with Wimbledon's academy and actually transferred over into the MK Dons academy following the move. Both of them worked their way through the academy and both became first team regulars for us. I remember seeing George make his full debut for us against Oldham when he was 17/18 and you could see his talent then. He was originally played as right midfielder, but later Karl Robinson played him more as a full back where he really came into his own.

I was always gutted when he went out on loan, always wanted him to be in and around our first team. We've had some great academy graduate full-backs and wing-backs over the years (Adam Chicksen, Ben Tilney, George Williams, Matt Sorinola) as well as some brilliant loanees (Adam Smith, Ethan Laird, Kaine Kesler-Hayden, Jordan Spence) but George, in my opinion, was right up there as one of the best.

Something seemed to 'click' for him when he went out on loan to Oxford. He was a very good player before then, but that loan changed him and he became the player you knew him as. He was doing brilliantly there and we recalled him in January of that season (15/16) for our only season in the Championship where we were fighting relegation. From that point he was a regular on the team sheet and such an exciting player to watch. He was known for his trademark 'chops' on the wing and cutting inside, beating opposition defenders more often than not.

We were obviously extremely gutted when he got the move to you guys, losing one of our best players who would be impossible to replace - but also extremely proud that he'd earned his move to a huge club at a higher level and all the benefits that brings, he deserved it and had worked so hard for it.

A local lad from Buckingham which is a village about 13 miles from Milton Keynes, he was one of the first academy graduates to play over 100 games for our first team (others being his brother Sam, Dele Alli, George Williams and Daniel Powell). In total he was with us for 15 years and one of the few players we can truly say was "one of our own". Given how long George was with the Blades, and his massive affection for your club and the way fans adored him, it feels like he was one of yours too - whilst he'll always have his roots here, he really did become a Blade.

It seems everywhere he went, his passion and desire to fight and win was clear to everyone who saw him play, and that's all you want from a player isn't it? I know he made a big impact at Oxford, many of their fans regarding him as their best ever loanee. Just as importantly, he was a really great guy who seemed to get along with every single person he met.

We're so proud of him at MK, and I'm so glad he got to achieve his dream of playing in the Prem with a club like Sheffield United. Only a handful of others from our academy have ever played in the top tier. Going on to represent Greece was just the latest achievement for him, and to see the impact he had on his teammates there after such a short period says it all.

I know you guys will be paying tributes to him over the coming weeks on and off the pitch. We're playing Port Vale at home today and the club have something planned, as well as a minutes applause. There's a book of remembrance in the lobby for visitors to pay tribute alongside his picture and one of his old signed shirts. Our fans have already raised £1,000 to buy a large flag which will have a permanent place on the top tier (well, we have plenty of empty seats to cover up don't we?). I don't know when that will be up, but it was too short notice I believe to get it made in time for today.

Truly a unique and brilliant player gone far too soon who will be sorely missed by everyone.

 

[VEGASBLADE]

Milton Keynes fan in peace.

Read through all 27 pages. I knew Blades fans adored him but I didn't know just how much until going through all that.

I'm still in shock, as is everyone at our club. George joined our academy at the age of 8. His older bro Sam was one of the few who was with Wimbledon's academy and actually transferred over into the MK Dons academy following the move. Both of them worked their way through the academy and both became first team regulars for us. I remember seeing George make his full debut for us against Oldham when he was 17/18 and you could see his talent then. He was originally played as right midfielder, but later Karl Robinson played him more as a full back where he really came into his own.

I was always gutted when he went out on loan, always wanted him to be in and around our first team. We've had some great academy graduate full-backs and wing-backs over the years (Adam Chicksen, Ben Tilney, George Williams, Matt Sorinola) as well as some brilliant loanees (Adam Smith, Ethan Laird, Kaine Kesler-Hayden, Jordan Spence) but George, in my opinion, was right up there as one of the best.

Something seemed to 'click' for him when he went out on loan to Oxford. He was a very good player before then, but that loan changed him and he became the player you knew him as. He was doing brilliantly there and we recalled him in January of that season (15/16) for our only season in the Championship where we were fighting relegation. From that point he was a regular on the team sheet and such an exciting player to watch. He was known for his trademark 'chops' on the wing and cutting inside, beating opposition defenders more often than not.

We were obviously extremely gutted when he got the move to you guys, losing one of our best players who would be impossible to replace - but also extremely proud that he'd earned his move to a huge club at a higher level and all the benefits that brings, he deserved it and had worked so hard for it.

A local lad from Buckingham which is a village about 13 miles from Milton Keynes, he was one of the first academy graduates to play over 100 games for our first team (others being his brother Sam, Dele Alli, George Williams and Daniel Powell). In total he was with us for 15 years and one of the few players we can truly say was "one of our own". Given how long George was with the Blades, and his massive affection for your club and the way fans adored him, it feels like he was one of yours too - whilst he'll always have his roots here, he really did become a Blade.

It seems everywhere he went, his passion and desire to fight and win was clear to everyone who saw him play, and that's all you want from a player isn't it? I know he made a big impact at Oxford, many of their fans regarding him as their best ever loanee. Just as importantly, he was a really great guy who seemed to get along with every single person he met.

We're so proud of him at MK, and I'm so glad he got to achieve his dream of playing in the Prem with a club like Sheffield United. Only a handful of others from our academy have ever played in the top tier. Going on to represent Greece was just the latest achievement for him, and to see the impact he had on his teammates there after such a short period says it all.

I know you guys will be paying tributes to him over the coming weeks on and off the pitch. We're playing Port Vale at home today and the club have something planned, as well as a minutes applause. There's a book of remembrance in the lobby for visitors to pay tribute alongside his picture and one of his old signed shirts. Our fans have already raised £1,000 to buy a large flag which will have a permanent place on the top tier (well, we have plenty of empty seats to cover up don't we?). I don't know when that will be up, but it was too short notice I believe to get it made in time for today.

Truly a unique and brilliant player gone far too soon who will be sorely missed by everyone.

Thank you bud for your very kind words he was a honoury Sheffielder and we loved him .
Forever a BLADE
RIP STARMAN 2

 

[Edgar Allan Poo]

Milton Keynes fan in peace.

Read through all 27 pages. I knew Blades fans adored him but I didn't know just how much until going through all that.

I'm still in shock, as is everyone at our club. George joined our academy at the age of 8. His older bro Sam was one of the few who was with Wimbledon's academy and actually transferred over into the MK Dons academy following the move. Both of them worked their way through the academy and both became first team regulars for us. I remember seeing George make his full debut for us against Oldham when he was 17/18 and you could see his talent then. He was originally played as right midfielder, but later Karl Robinson played him more as a full back where he really came into his own.

I was always gutted when he went out on loan, always wanted him to be in and around our first team. We've had some great academy graduate full-backs and wing-backs over the years (Adam Chicksen, Ben Tilney, George Williams, Matt Sorinola) as well as some brilliant loanees (Adam Smith, Ethan Laird, Kaine Kesler-Hayden, Jordan Spence) but George, in my opinion, was right up there as one of the best.

Something seemed to 'click' for him when he went out on loan to Oxford. He was a very good player before then, but that loan changed him and he became the player you knew him as. He was doing brilliantly there and we recalled him in January of that season (15/16) for our only season in the Championship where we were fighting relegation. From that point he was a regular on the team sheet and such an exciting player to watch. He was known for his trademark 'chops' on the wing and cutting inside, beating opposition defenders more often than not.

We were obviously extremely gutted when he got the move to you guys, losing one of our best players who would be impossible to replace - but also extremely proud that he'd earned his move to a huge club at a higher level and all the benefits that brings, he deserved it and had worked so hard for it.

A local lad from Buckingham which is a village about 13 miles from Milton Keynes, he was one of the first academy graduates to play over 100 games for our first team (others being his brother Sam, Dele Alli, George Williams and Daniel Powell). In total he was with us for 15 years and one of the few players we can truly say was "one of our own". Given how long George was with the Blades, and his massive affection for your club and the way fans adored him, it feels like he was one of yours too - whilst he'll always have his roots here, he really did become a Blade.

It seems everywhere he went, his passion and desire to fight and win was clear to everyone who saw him play, and that's all you want from a player isn't it? I know he made a big impact at Oxford, many of their fans regarding him as their best ever loanee. Just as importantly, he was a really great guy who seemed to get along with every single person he met.

We're so proud of him at MK, and I'm so glad he got to achieve his dream of playing in the Prem with a club like Sheffield United. Only a handful of others from our academy have ever played in the top tier. Going on to represent Greece was just the latest achievement for him, and to see the impact he had on his teammates there after such a short period says it all.

I know you guys will be paying tributes to him over the coming weeks on and off the pitch. We're playing Port Vale at home today and the club have something planned, as well as a minutes applause. There's a book of remembrance in the lobby for visitors to pay tribute alongside his picture and one of his old signed shirts. Our fans have already raised £1,000 to buy a large flag which will have a permanent place on the top tier (well, we have plenty of empty seats to cover up don't we?). I don't know when that will be up, but it was too short notice I believe to get it made in time for today.

Truly a unique and brilliant player gone far too soon who will be sorely missed by everyone.

Respect to you Pal. It's clear that many fans will grieve for George and the best way for us all to honour him is for all his former clubs to carry the memory of him with us into the future.

 

[Yellarbellyblade]

Milton Keynes fan in peace.

Read through all 27 pages. I knew Blades fans adored him but I didn't know just how much until going through all that.

I'm still in shock, as is everyone at our club. George joined our academy at the age of 8. His older bro Sam was one of the few who was with Wimbledon's academy and actually transferred over into the MK Dons academy following the move. Both of them worked their way through the academy and both became first team regulars for us. I remember seeing George make his full debut for us against Oldham when he was 17/18 and you could see his talent then. He was originally played as right midfielder, but later Karl Robinson played him more as a full back where he really came into his own.

I was always gutted when he went out on loan, always wanted him to be in and around our first team. We've had some great academy graduate full-backs and wing-backs over the years (Adam Chicksen, Ben Tilney, George Williams, Matt Sorinola) as well as some brilliant loanees (Adam Smith, Ethan Laird, Kaine Kesler-Hayden, Jordan Spence) but George, in my opinion, was right up there as one of the best.

Something seemed to 'click' for him when he went out on loan to Oxford. He was a very good player before then, but that loan changed him and he became the player you knew him as. He was doing brilliantly there and we recalled him in January of that season (15/16) for our only season in the Championship where we were fighting relegation. From that point he was a regular on the team sheet and such an exciting player to watch. He was known for his trademark 'chops' on the wing and cutting inside, beating opposition defenders more often than not.

We were obviously extremely gutted when he got the move to you guys, losing one of our best players who would be impossible to replace - but also extremely proud that he'd earned his move to a huge club at a higher level and all the benefits that brings, he deserved it and had worked so hard for it.

A local lad from Buckingham which is a village about 13 miles from Milton Keynes, he was one of the first academy graduates to play over 100 games for our first team (others being his brother Sam, Dele Alli, George Williams and Daniel Powell). In total he was with us for 15 years and one of the few players we can truly say was "one of our own". Given how long George was with the Blades, and his massive affection for your club and the way fans adored him, it feels like he was one of yours too - whilst he'll always have his roots here, he really did become a Blade.

It seems everywhere he went, his passion and desire to fight and win was clear to everyone who saw him play, and that's all you want from a player isn't it? I know he made a big impact at Oxford, many of their fans regarding him as their best ever loanee. Just as importantly, he was a really great guy who seemed to get along with every single person he met.

We're so proud of him at MK, and I'm so glad he got to achieve his dream of playing in the Prem with a club like Sheffield United. Only a handful of others from our academy have ever played in the top tier. Going on to represent Greece was just the latest achievement for him, and to see the impact he had on his teammates there after such a short period says it all.

I know you guys will be paying tributes to him over the coming weeks on and off the pitch. We're playing Port Vale at home today and the club have something planned, as well as a minutes applause. There's a book of remembrance in the lobby for visitors to pay tribute alongside his picture and one of his old signed shirts. Our fans have already raised £1,000 to buy a large flag which will have a permanent place on the top tier (well, we have plenty of empty seats to cover up don't we?). I don't know when that will be up, but it was too short notice I believe to get it made in time for today.

Truly a unique and brilliant player gone far too soon who will be sorely missed by everyone.

Set me off again.
Says all you need to know about him that supporters from every club he was at loved him so much. Added to that the outpouring of respect and grief from teammates, some from years ago shows what a thoroughly decent man he was too.

 

[Millhousesblade1889]

Was just thinking about how we was pleased we was getting rid of injury prone older players back in June. Makes you think how the so called beautiful game turns so dehumanised at times.

Was literally just a few years ago he was bombing up and down the right while we enjoyed some of our best times in our history.

Absolutely breaks my heart that we won't see him in person anymore through the years with the reunions.

It was the right time for Baldock to move on, I can’t remember if I passed comment at the time on the subject but my feeling doesn’t change on that - he was struggling more and more with injuries & he had the same issues in Greece this year, I think he’s only played a few times this season.

That doesn’t take anything away from the fact he’s a blade legend, I’ve watched United since 90s and I can’t think of a right back I’ve loved watching as much as Baldock. As we all used to say - if only he could cross! .

An absolute blade legend as most of them are from that Wilder era. Sharp, Fleck, Norwood, Bash, Egan, Baldock, Henderson, McGoldrick, JOC, Duffy, Stevens all legends in my eyes.

I’d probably say that was my favourite time watching United & the fans were brilliant back then too.

A true blades legend. Like you’ve said I’m absolutely gutted we won’t see him again at the lane.

 

[Blade56]

Shouldn’t have to be celebrating the lives of yet another United player , feckin hurts and it will be a very emotional day when we all gather at the Lane.

Hope they stop the match this time on 2 minutes for the fans applause. Make Starman the walk out music and watch 25,000 fans trying to hold it together, that’s how much he meant to everything and everyone ‘United’.

Can’t find the link for the flag appeal can someone repost it please. Just a thought, what happens to the flag after the game. Are United coordinating and contributing?

 

[CaptainMorgans]

"A George Baldock Award - 'The Starman' - every season for the player that has lived up to the levels set by the great man himself."

This for me. The new POTY award. Held every year, and which every player of ours should aspire and be honoured to win. A legacy of GB.

I also like this idea.
It feels very fitting.

The George Baldock Starman award. It doesn't even necessarily have to be the POTY award, it can be it's own individual award to the player that showed the qualities we seek most in a Blade.

Last year, Jack Robinson would have won it. The only guy that didn't go hiding when the chips were down.
So far this season, you'd be looking towards Souttar, Gilchrist or Souza in terms of their competitive spirit.

 

[Bell4]

I also like this idea.
It feels very fitting.

The George Baldock Starman award. It doesn't even necessarily have to be the POTY award, it can be it's own individual award to the player that showed the qualities we seek most in a Blade.

Last year, Jack Robinson would have won it. The only guy that didn't go hiding when the chips were down.
So far this season, you'd be looking towards Souttar, Gilchrist or Souza in terms of their competitive spirit.

Agree

 

[Guilty pleasure]

It’s Saturday morning and I can only just bring myself to read these messages, 2024 has been the worst possible year with personal loss, so already very emotional. I have read all the messages up to this one with a lump in my throat and a heavy heart but on seeing this there was not holding back, the floodgates have opened.
Such a tragic loss for his young family, his peers and of course his Blades family. Never gave anything less than 110% hated it when he left but one of those players that you wish well and follow their career moving forwards.
A genuine living legend, who will be immortalised in death.
Truely heartbroken, love ya ‘furious’

 

[BigBed]

Think it's just hit me this morning, been busy with work and I think in a bit of shock, but sat with a brew, reading through all the messages from fans, players , the gaffer, and anyone that ever met him, its blown me away! He was my favourite player and i have to admit I've just shed a tear or 2!!
So me and a couple of pals have decided, that were going to be paying tribute to Gorgeous George in a way he won't be forgotten.

 

[jono_t2000]

So me and a couple of pals have decided, that were going to be paying tribute to Gorgeous George in a way he won't be forgotten.

Good on ya mate. Are you able to share more about what you're planning at this stage?

 

[Bl4desutd]

Milton Keynes fan in peace.

Read through all 27 pages. I knew Blades fans adored him but I didn't know just how much until going through all that.

I'm still in shock, as is everyone at our club. George joined our academy at the age of 8. His older bro Sam was one of the few who was with Wimbledon's academy and actually transferred over into the MK Dons academy following the move. Both of them worked their way through the academy and both became first team regulars for us. I remember seeing George make his full debut for us against Oldham when he was 17/18 and you could see his talent then. He was originally played as right midfielder, but later Karl Robinson played him more as a full back where he really came into his own.

I was always gutted when he went out on loan, always wanted him to be in and around our first team. We've had some great academy graduate full-backs and wing-backs over the years (Adam Chicksen, Ben Tilney, George Williams, Matt Sorinola) as well as some brilliant loanees (Adam Smith, Ethan Laird, Kaine Kesler-Hayden, Jordan Spence) but George, in my opinion, was right up there as one of the best.

Something seemed to 'click' for him when he went out on loan to Oxford. He was a very good player before then, but that loan changed him and he became the player you knew him as. He was doing brilliantly there and we recalled him in January of that season (15/16) for our only season in the Championship where we were fighting relegation. From that point he was a regular on the team sheet and such an exciting player to watch. He was known for his trademark 'chops' on the wing and cutting inside, beating opposition defenders more often than not.

We were obviously extremely gutted when he got the move to you guys, losing one of our best players who would be impossible to replace - but also extremely proud that he'd earned his move to a huge club at a higher level and all the benefits that brings, he deserved it and had worked so hard for it.

A local lad from Buckingham which is a village about 13 miles from Milton Keynes, he was one of the first academy graduates to play over 100 games for our first team (others being his brother Sam, Dele Alli, George Williams and Daniel Powell). In total he was with us for 15 years and one of the few players we can truly say was "one of our own". Given how long George was with the Blades, and his massive affection for your club and the way fans adored him, it feels like he was one of yours too - whilst he'll always have his roots here, he really did become a Blade.

It seems everywhere he went, his passion and desire to fight and win was clear to everyone who saw him play, and that's all you want from a player isn't it? I know he made a big impact at Oxford, many of their fans regarding him as their best ever loanee. Just as importantly, he was a really great guy who seemed to get along with every single person he met.

We're so proud of him at MK, and I'm so glad he got to achieve his dream of playing in the Prem with a club like Sheffield United. Only a handful of others from our academy have ever played in the top tier. Going on to represent Greece was just the latest achievement for him, and to see the impact he had on his teammates there after such a short period says it all.

I know you guys will be paying tributes to him over the coming weeks on and off the pitch. We're playing Port Vale at home today and the club have something planned, as well as a minutes applause. There's a book of remembrance in the lobby for visitors to pay tribute alongside his picture and one of his old signed shirts. Our fans have already raised £1,000 to buy a large flag which will have a permanent place on the top tier (well, we have plenty of empty seats to cover up don't we?). I don't know when that will be up, but it was too short notice I believe to get it made in time for today.

Truly a unique and brilliant player gone far too soon who will be sorely missed by everyone.

Thanks for taking the time to share your memories with us

 

[Stretch]

Milton Keynes fan in peace.

Read through all 27 pages. I knew Blades fans adored him but I didn't know just how much until going through all that.

I'm still in shock, as is everyone at our club. George joined our academy at the age of 8. His older bro Sam was one of the few who was with Wimbledon's academy and actually transferred over into the MK Dons academy following the move. Both of them worked their way through the academy and both became first team regulars for us. I remember seeing George make his full debut for us against Oldham when he was 17/18 and you could see his talent then. He was originally played as right midfielder, but later Karl Robinson played him more as a full back where he really came into his own.

I was always gutted when he went out on loan, always wanted him to be in and around our first team. We've had some great academy graduate full-backs and wing-backs over the years (Adam Chicksen, Ben Tilney, George Williams, Matt Sorinola) as well as some brilliant loanees (Adam Smith, Ethan Laird, Kaine Kesler-Hayden, Jordan Spence) but George, in my opinion, was right up there as one of the best.

Something seemed to 'click' for him when he went out on loan to Oxford. He was a very good player before then, but that loan changed him and he became the player you knew him as. He was doing brilliantly there and we recalled him in January of that season (15/16) for our only season in the Championship where we were fighting relegation. From that point he was a regular on the team sheet and such an exciting player to watch. He was known for his trademark 'chops' on the wing and cutting inside, beating opposition defenders more often than not.

We were obviously extremely gutted when he got the move to you guys, losing one of our best players who would be impossible to replace - but also extremely proud that he'd earned his move to a huge club at a higher level and all the benefits that brings, he deserved it and had worked so hard for it.

A local lad from Buckingham which is a village about 13 miles from Milton Keynes, he was one of the first academy graduates to play over 100 games for our first team (others being his brother Sam, Dele Alli, George Williams and Daniel Powell). In total he was with us for 15 years and one of the few players we can truly say was "one of our own". Given how long George was with the Blades, and his massive affection for your club and the way fans adored him, it feels like he was one of yours too - whilst he'll always have his roots here, he really did become a Blade.

It seems everywhere he went, his passion and desire to fight and win was clear to everyone who saw him play, and that's all you want from a player isn't it? I know he made a big impact at Oxford, many of their fans regarding him as their best ever loanee. Just as importantly, he was a really great guy who seemed to get along with every single person he met.

We're so proud of him at MK, and I'm so glad he got to achieve his dream of playing in the Prem with a club like Sheffield United. Only a handful of others from our academy have ever played in the top tier. Going on to represent Greece was just the latest achievement for him, and to see the impact he had on his teammates there after such a short period says it all.

I know you guys will be paying tributes to him over the coming weeks on and off the pitch. We're playing Port Vale at home today and the club have something planned, as well as a minutes applause. There's a book of remembrance in the lobby for visitors to pay tribute alongside his picture and one of his old signed shirts. Our fans have already raised £1,000 to buy a large flag which will have a permanent place on the top tier (well, we have plenty of empty seats to cover up don't we?). I don't know when that will be up, but it was too short notice I believe to get it made in time for today.

Truly a unique and brilliant player gone far too soon who will be sorely missed by everyone.

Top post mate. George meant so much to supporters in so many places.

Such a tragic loss.

 

[Zipwire]

I keep dipping in to this thread. Just to read the tributes and to reassure myself it’s just not just me being daft and over reacting with how I’m feeling about the loss of one our favourites.

I’m still trying to make sense of it all. I keep thinking about how I checked this forum the other night and seeing George Baldock RIP in the Forum list and it stunning me, and having to tell my son who is understandably gutted too, and is struggling to make sense of it.

I keep reading the tributes from others, and the stuff in the media like the heartfelt obituaries that go on to his upbringing and it makes even less sense. I can’t fathom how someone who was clearly such an intelligent bloke, who was so well liked by all that knew him personally and who was obviously such a class act too (the defibrillator story got me)

I keep thinking about the famous class of 19, and everything they did. They wasn’t just a team, but a band of brothers too. I loved that team and they brought me a lot of joy and happiness but what always stood out is the teamwork and camaraderie, and thinking about how they must be feeling now. Absolutely fucking heartbroken.

I’ve been upset before by the passing of significant figures from the world of football and sport but the loss of the Starman has really knocked my duck off. It feels like I’ve lost a family member or a close friend. Even though he was just a well liked and widely respected footballer for the Blades it just feels like so much more that.

One thing that has been overwhelming is the courage and strength that everyone is showing. The tributes the other night from the players in the Greece match were humbling. The way the football family has come together for the Baldock family and for the supporters of the clubs where was loved and adored has been amazing.

It’s a football free Saturday, so I’ve got my lad around here so we are going to head down to the Lane and take some flowers down and write a couple of messages of tribute and to pay our respects.

Next week we’ve got to crack on as we have got a huge game at Leeds coming up. It would be tailor made for George Baldock but I can’t see any more fitting tribute to him than sending a team out there to really get in to Leeds and outfight them in every department and come away with a famous win and doing it in his name too

 

[Zipwire]

Milton Keynes fan in peace.

Read through all 27 pages. I knew Blades fans adored him but I didn't know just how much until going through all that.

I'm still in shock, as is everyone at our club. George joined our academy at the age of 8. His older bro Sam was one of the few who was with Wimbledon's academy and actually transferred over into the MK Dons academy following the move. Both of them worked their way through the academy and both became first team regulars for us. I remember seeing George make his full debut for us against Oldham when he was 17/18 and you could see his talent then. He was originally played as right midfielder, but later Karl Robinson played him more as a full back where he really came into his own.

I was always gutted when he went out on loan, always wanted him to be in and around our first team. We've had some great academy graduate full-backs and wing-backs over the years (Adam Chicksen, Ben Tilney, George Williams, Matt Sorinola) as well as some brilliant loanees (Adam Smith, Ethan Laird, Kaine Kesler-Hayden, Jordan Spence) but George, in my opinion, was right up there as one of the best.

Something seemed to 'click' for him when he went out on loan to Oxford. He was a very good player before then, but that loan changed him and he became the player you knew him as. He was doing brilliantly there and we recalled him in January of that season (15/16) for our only season in the Championship where we were fighting relegation. From that point he was a regular on the team sheet and such an exciting player to watch. He was known for his trademark 'chops' on the wing and cutting inside, beating opposition defenders more often than not.

We were obviously extremely gutted when he got the move to you guys, losing one of our best players who would be impossible to replace - but also extremely proud that he'd earned his move to a huge club at a higher level and all the benefits that brings, he deserved it and had worked so hard for it.

A local lad from Buckingham which is a village about 13 miles from Milton Keynes, he was one of the first academy graduates to play over 100 games for our first team (others being his brother Sam, Dele Alli, George Williams and Daniel Powell). In total he was with us for 15 years and one of the few players we can truly say was "one of our own". Given how long George was with the Blades, and his massive affection for your club and the way fans adored him, it feels like he was one of yours too - whilst he'll always have his roots here, he really did become a Blade.

It seems everywhere he went, his passion and desire to fight and win was clear to everyone who saw him play, and that's all you want from a player isn't it? I know he made a big impact at Oxford, many of their fans regarding him as their best ever loanee. Just as importantly, he was a really great guy who seemed to get along with every single person he met.

We're so proud of him at MK, and I'm so glad he got to achieve his dream of playing in the Prem with a club like Sheffield United. Only a handful of others from our academy have ever played in the top tier. Going on to represent Greece was just the latest achievement for him, and to see the impact he had on his teammates there after such a short period says it all.

I know you guys will be paying tributes to him over the coming weeks on and off the pitch. We're playing Port Vale at home today and the club have something planned, as well as a minutes applause. There's a book of remembrance in the lobby for visitors to pay tribute alongside his picture and one of his old signed shirts. Our fans have already raised £1,000 to buy a large flag which will have a permanent place on the top tier (well, we have plenty of empty seats to cover up don't we?). I don't know when that will be up, but it was too short notice I believe to get it made in time for today.

Truly a unique and brilliant player gone far too soon who will be sorely missed by everyone.

Thankyou for your very kind words.

I’ll be honest with you and I hated MK Dons from the time of your inception and didn’t accept you for a long time but I changed my stance after the 2017 where I’d been to our promotion party and seen you had grown in to a club of your own standing.

I watched the Pete Winkleman interview yesterday where we spoke gracefully and eloquently about George Baldock, and I really felt for him. He has put his life and soul in to MK Dons for the last 20 years, and although he didn’t delve in to past or try and claim any credit for what he has done, and just spoke from the heart about George and what he had achieved, it spoke volumes about what he had achieved and George Baldock was a product of that, and in some ways almost like a gift to us.

This afternoon I’m going to watch your game on Sky and want you to go out and do George Baldock proud as you are a club in grief, just as we are, and we stand together

 

[Melbourne Blade]

Milton Keynes fan in peace.

Read through all 27 pages. I knew Blades fans adored him but I didn't know just how much until going through all that.

I'm still in shock, as is everyone at our club. George joined our academy at the age of 8. His older bro Sam was one of the few who was with Wimbledon's academy and actually transferred over into the MK Dons academy following the move. Both of them worked their way through the academy and both became first team regulars for us. I remember seeing George make his full debut for us against Oldham when he was 17/18 and you could see his talent then. He was originally played as right midfielder, but later Karl Robinson played him more as a full back where he really came into his own.

I was always gutted when he went out on loan, always wanted him to be in and around our first team. We've had some great academy graduate full-backs and wing-backs over the years (Adam Chicksen, Ben Tilney, George Williams, Matt Sorinola) as well as some brilliant loanees (Adam Smith, Ethan Laird, Kaine Kesler-Hayden, Jordan Spence) but George, in my opinion, was right up there as one of the best.

Something seemed to 'click' for him when he went out on loan to Oxford. He was a very good player before then, but that loan changed him and he became the player you knew him as. He was doing brilliantly there and we recalled him in January of that season (15/16) for our only season in the Championship where we were fighting relegation. From that point he was a regular on the team sheet and such an exciting player to watch. He was known for his trademark 'chops' on the wing and cutting inside, beating opposition defenders more often than not.

We were obviously extremely gutted when he got the move to you guys, losing one of our best players who would be impossible to replace - but also extremely proud that he'd earned his move to a huge club at a higher level and all the benefits that brings, he deserved it and had worked so hard for it.

A local lad from Buckingham which is a village about 13 miles from Milton Keynes, he was one of the first academy graduates to play over 100 games for our first team (others being his brother Sam, Dele Alli, George Williams and Daniel Powell). In total he was with us for 15 years and one of the few players we can truly say was "one of our own". Given how long George was with the Blades, and his massive affection for your club and the way fans adored him, it feels like he was one of yours too - whilst he'll always have his roots here, he really did become a Blade.

It seems everywhere he went, his passion and desire to fight and win was clear to everyone who saw him play, and that's all you want from a player isn't it? I know he made a big impact at Oxford, many of their fans regarding him as their best ever loanee. Just as importantly, he was a really great guy who seemed to get along with every single person he met.

We're so proud of him at MK, and I'm so glad he got to achieve his dream of playing in the Prem with a club like Sheffield United. Only a handful of others from our academy have ever played in the top tier. Going on to represent Greece was just the latest achievement for him, and to see the impact he had on his teammates there after such a short period says it all.

I know you guys will be paying tributes to him over the coming weeks on and off the pitch. We're playing Port Vale at home today and the club have something planned, as well as a minutes applause. There's a book of remembrance in the lobby for visitors to pay tribute alongside his picture and one of his old signed shirts. Our fans have already raised £1,000 to buy a large flag which will have a permanent place on the top tier (well, we have plenty of empty seats to cover up don't we?). I don't know when that will be up, but it was too short notice I believe to get it made in time for today.

Truly a unique and brilliant player gone far too soon who will be sorely missed by everyone.

Beautiful post mate thanks for sharing.

 

[CarlMcBlade]

You fucking kidding me. The guy is livestreaming because someone died. Yeah, I'm the bad guy.

It’s a time for sadness and reflection mate. People just want to share their recollections and show their respect on here at the moment. But be assured BR won’t come out of this smelling of roses.

 

[MKDinPeace]

Thankyou for your very kind words.

I’ll be honest with you and I hated MK Dons from the time of your inception and didn’t accept you for a long time but I changed my stance after the 2017 where I’d been to our promotion party and seen you had grown in to a club of your own standing.

I watched the Pete Winkleman interview yesterday where we spoke gracefully and eloquently about George Baldock, and I really felt for him. He has put his life and soul in to MK Dons for the last 20 years, and although he didn’t delve in to past or try and claim any credit for what he has done, and just spoke from the heart about George and what he had achieved, it spoke volumes about what he had achieved and George Baldock was a product of that, and in some ways almost like a gift to us.

This afternoon I’m going to watch your game on Sky and want you to go out and do George Baldock proud as you are a club in grief, just as we are, and we stand together

Oh the club will always be hated by the vast majority of football and I understand why. I just find it amusing when people criticise our supporters for not being genuine, supporters who have put up with 20 years of abuse making the same commitments as any other fan, when we could have just chosen the easy option and picked a Prem top four side with none of the hassle. The majority of our existence has been languishing in L1/L2 in a soulless stadium - hardly glamorous. I don't blame others for hating what the club reminds them of though.

Have to admit I do get jealous when I see the likes of yourselves or any other big club being able to sell out allocations easily and generate a big atmosphere - even George himself mentioned in an interview when he was playing for us against you in 2017 when you beat us 3-0, looking over at 7k Blades fans going wild and being in awe - he moved a few months later!

Anyway, I won't overstay my welcome, last post from me. Appreciate the words, good to see that personal views of clubs don't affect the most important thing here which is remembering George. Will come back and post a pic of the flag on here once it's been made and in the stand.

 

[BigBed]

Good on ya mate. Are you able to share more about what you're planning at this stage?

Matching tattoos on our calves pal, we already have United tats, so it will fit right in, and show our appreciation for all the memories, the feelings hes given us over the years, and the respect he deserves as a Blade and as a man.

 

[Berkshire Blade]

The other day I saw this comment on YouTube about how people are enjoying fully Joe Root in real time fully aware he's something special and not just through rose tinted glasses when it's all over. I screenshot it because that's exactly how I feel we enjoyed the success of the two Wilder promotions. Fully enjoying every single moment of success and wringing the last drop out of it.

With the sad loss of George I am even happier that we absolutely appreciated him and everything he brought and achieved while he was with us.

 

[WhiteHawk]

Milton Keynes fan in peace.

Read through all 27 pages. I knew Blades fans adored him but I didn't know just how much until going through all that.

I'm still in shock, as is everyone at our club. George joined our academy at the age of 8. His older bro Sam was one of the few who was with Wimbledon's academy and actually transferred over into the MK Dons academy following the move. Both of them worked their way through the academy and both became first team regulars for us. I remember seeing George make his full debut for us against Oldham when he was 17/18 and you could see his talent then. He was originally played as right midfielder, but later Karl Robinson played him more as a full back where he really came into his own.

I was always gutted when he went out on loan, always wanted him to be in and around our first team. We've had some great academy graduate full-backs and wing-backs over the years (Adam Chicksen, Ben Tilney, George Williams, Matt Sorinola) as well as some brilliant loanees (Adam Smith, Ethan Laird, Kaine Kesler-Hayden, Jordan Spence) but George, in my opinion, was right up there as one of the best.

Something seemed to 'click' for him when he went out on loan to Oxford. He was a very good player before then, but that loan changed him and he became the player you knew him as. He was doing brilliantly there and we recalled him in January of that season (15/16) for our only season in the Championship where we were fighting relegation. From that point he was a regular on the team sheet and such an exciting player to watch. He was known for his trademark 'chops' on the wing and cutting inside, beating opposition defenders more often than not.

We were obviously extremely gutted when he got the move to you guys, losing one of our best players who would be impossible to replace - but also extremely proud that he'd earned his move to a huge club at a higher level and all the benefits that brings, he deserved it and had worked so hard for it.

A local lad from Buckingham which is a village about 13 miles from Milton Keynes, he was one of the first academy graduates to play over 100 games for our first team (others being his brother Sam, Dele Alli, George Williams and Daniel Powell). In total he was with us for 15 years and one of the few players we can truly say was "one of our own". Given how long George was with the Blades, and his massive affection for your club and the way fans adored him, it feels like he was one of yours too - whilst he'll always have his roots here, he really did become a Blade.

It seems everywhere he went, his passion and desire to fight and win was clear to everyone who saw him play, and that's all you want from a player isn't it? I know he made a big impact at Oxford, many of their fans regarding him as their best ever loanee. Just as importantly, he was a really great guy who seemed to get along with every single person he met.

We're so proud of him at MK, and I'm so glad he got to achieve his dream of playing in the Prem with a club like Sheffield United. Only a handful of others from our academy have ever played in the top tier. Going on to represent Greece was just the latest achievement for him, and to see the impact he had on his teammates there after such a short period says it all.

I know you guys will be paying tributes to him over the coming weeks on and off the pitch. We're playing Port Vale at home today and the club have something planned, as well as a minutes applause. There's a book of remembrance in the lobby for visitors to pay tribute alongside his picture and one of his old signed shirts. Our fans have already raised £1,000 to buy a large flag which will have a permanent place on the top tier (well, we have plenty of empty seats to cover up don't we?). I don't know when that will be up, but it was too short notice I believe to get it made in time for today.

Truly a unique and brilliant player gone far too soon who will be sorely missed by everyone.

Great post mate, got tears in my eyes again now!

 

[wadblade]

can i recomend this from MK dons chairman its what football is all about

 

[Ndiayewillalwaysloveyou]

Baldock and Jonny sleep well blades x

 

[ucandomagic]

 

[bladesmanluke]

Mostly managed to compose myself so far, but after a few beers last night I ended up bawling my eyes out. It's very hard to explain to non football supporting friends or even some that do support other clubs if they don't have the same connection.

I've no doubt a lot on here will feel the same and have maybe had a similar experience, but I hope it helps to know that you're not alone

 

[DronnieBlade]

Still surreal innit ?

Could I strongly suggest that Bowie is not played in 2 weeks time as pitch would get quickly waterlogged.

Pretty please.

UTB

 

[shorehamview]

This afternoon I’m going to watch your game on Sky and want you to go out and do George Baldock proud as you are a club in grief, just as we are, and we stand together

Same here Zippers. I’ll put it on at about half two, and I know MK Dons will do him proud.

 

[wavy-blade]

Still surreal innit ?

Could I strongly suggest that Bowie is not played in 2 weeks time as pitch would get quickly waterlogged.

Pretty please.

UTB

Play it loud and proud mate that’s celebrate the man , I will be crying on the kop in front of everyone and be proud I am