Greece players and fans pay tribute to the late George Baldock at ...

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Greece players and fans pay tribute to the late George Baldock at their first home game since the former Sheffield United star's tragic death aged 31Panathinaikos and Greece footballer George Baldock died at the age of 31The former Sheffield United star was found dead in a swimming pool at his homeLISTEN NOW: It's All Kicking Off!, available wherever you get your podcasts. New episodes every Monday and Thursday 

By Robert Summerscales

George Baldock - Figure 1
Photo Daily Mail

Published: 20:05 BST, 13 October 2024 | Updated: 20:32 BST, 13 October 2024

Greece players and fans paid tribute to the late George Baldock on Sunday at their first home game since his death at the age of 31.

The former Sheffield United star - who was born in England but had played international football for Greece since 2022 - was found dead in a swimming pool at his home near Athens on October 9.

He had been playing for Panathinaikos since joining the 20-time Greek champions from the Blades in May. 

Greece's match against Ireland on Sunday was preceded by an emotional minute of silence, which was observed impeccably by both sets of fans.

Baldock's former international team-mates also held up a shirt printed with his name and number during their pre-game team photo.

Greece's players pictured posing for a pre-match team photo ahead of Sunday's game against Ireland, while displaying the shirt of the late George Baldock following his death aged 31

Ireland's players pictured during a minute's silence before Sunday night's match in Piraeus

The minute's silence was observed impeccably by both sets of players and supporters

All of the players also wore black armbands, as did the referee and his team of officials. 

The crowd's silence was accompanied by sombre and reflective music, which was played on a low volume by stadium speakers.

Multiple shirts featuring Baldock's name and the No 2 were seen being held up by fans, while chants of 'Baldock, Baldock' rang around the ground before kick-off.

Those chants continued after the match had started.

George Baldock - Figure 2
Photo Daily Mail

Meanwhile, fans behind one of the goals at the Georgios Karaiskakis Stadium unfurled a banner featuring Baldock's name.

News of Baldock's death broke less than 24 hours before Greece's away game against England in London on Thursday. 

Greece fans behind the goal at the Georgios Karaiskakis Stadium paying their own tribute to George Baldock ahead of tonight’s Nations League fixture against Ireland. pic.twitter.com/KvmbXmbC5a

— Damian Spellman (@DamianSpellman) October 13, 2024

All of the players involved in Sunday's game between Greece and Ireland wore black armbands

Baldock pictured in 2020 when he was playing for Sheffield United in the Premier League

Baldock pictured playing for Panathinaikos earlier this month, just days before his death

Greece won that game 2-1 before celebrating at Wembley by holding up a shirt bearing Baldock's name.

'Georgey, this is for you!' defender Lazaros Rota shouted down the camera at the end of the match.

There had also been pre-match tributes at the Wembley match, where both sets of players wore black armbands and observed another minute of silence.

Manchester City youngster James McAtee, who played alongside Baldock during a loan spell at Sheffield United - then dedicated his two goals to his late former team-mate after starring in England U21's 2-1 win over Ukraine on Friday.

Baldock began his career with MK Dons. The Buckinghamshire club paid tribute to him ahead of Saturday's League Two game at home to Port Vale. 

James McAtee paid a tribute to Baldock after scoring two goals for England U21s on Friday

Baldock pictured hugging team-mate McAtee back in November 2022 when they were playing together for Sheffield United 

A minute's silence was held before Saturday's game at Stadium MK, with players from both teams wearing black armbands, while a shirt with 'Baldock 2' on the back was placed in the home dugout.

Dons supporters also paid tribute to Baldock, with one fan displaying an England flag which included the message 'George Baldock RIP, MK legend'. 

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