Footballer George Baldock, a Loving Father and Helpful Defender, Remembered by Friends and Family

sheffield, united kingdom - Friends and family pay tribute to drowned defender George Baldock, describing him as a loving father and a kind-hearted individual.

The fiancee of George Baldock describes him as her 'soulmate' and the 'perfect father'. The 31-year-old Greek international was found lifeless in the swimming pool of his home in Glyfada, southern Athens, on Wednesday evening. He had drowned. 'George, the love of my life, my soulmate. The perfect father to our beautiful boy. You made me whole. You were my world and I know we were yours. You are here with me in Brody's smile, giggle and infectious personality. My world will never be the same again, but I will find a way for Brody. I promise,' she writes on Instagram.

Annabel concludes: 'I love you forever and always.' The post was followed by a loving photo of the couple, laughing together. Annabel was the one who raised the alarm when George Baldock did not answer the phone on Wednesday. Eventually, emergency services found him.

Greek players held up their shirts at Wembley in memory of George Baldock. His family announced that the footballer, who moved to Greece to play for FC Panathinaikos, would return to the United Kingdom on Thursday to celebrate his son's birthday. Baldock played 219 games for Sheffield United, including 83 in the Premier League. He moved to Greek Panathinaikos last summer. Baldock was a key player. The words 'Starman, running down the wing' were often sung to the melody of David Bowie's song as the defender stormed down the right flank.

BBC Sport spoke to a few people who knew Baldock. Marie Purdy, a Sheffield United fan, told how Baldock once bought a defibrillator for her son Harvey, who was diagnosed with a defective heart valve at the age of seven. 'As anxious parents, it was a big shock for us,' she said about her son's diagnosis. 'The first thing Harvey said was: 'Can I still play football?' Like any boy, he wants to grow up and be like his heroes, play for his club and for England.'

Marie decided to raise money for a defibrillator. She wrote to several clubs asking if she could get memorabilia for fundraising. 'Out of the blue, we got an email from Sheffield United,' she says. 'They said they wanted to help Harvey and if he could come to the club, of course with masks and social distancing and everything, because it was during the time of the pandemic.'

'They went onto the pitch and out came Sander Berge and George Baldock, with masks on. They asked Harvey how bad he was and how he was doing. George said, 'This has nothing to do with the club, but I want to buy you a defib, I want to help.' It was a gift for Harvey, so he could continue playing football. It was amazing.'

Marie met Baldock several times. They last met earlier this year before Baldock moved to Greece. 'Harvey proudly told him that his club had just been promoted and that he scored the winning penalty,' adds Marie. 'Harvey showed him the videos on my phone. All his teammates running up to him and celebrating. George was overwhelmed. He realized it was because of him. Without the defib, Harvey probably wouldn't have continued playing. He was such a nice person; it's heartbreaking that we lost him. He should have had a happy life.'

On Thursday, Sheffield United fans gathered to pay tribute to a player they admired so much. 'He was Mr. Sheffield United and he will be missed by many. It feels like I lost a friend.'

'George was just a nice guy. He had a captivating character with a heart on his sleeve and genuinely cared about people,' Simon Crampton, director of performance and operations at MK Dons, where Baldock started at seventeen, told BBC Sport. 'When my wife became pregnant with our first child, George sent her a congratulatory card. It really shocked our football club. He will always remain in our memory.'

Alan Biggs, a presenter and columnist for the Sheffield Star, interviewed Baldock numerous times: 'He was helpful, very down to earth and modest as a person. He never talked about himself and never put himself above the team - he was just a genuinely nice guy. The kind of person you wanted to succeed.'

Teammates paid tribute to Baldock on social media. Former Sheffield United player Samir Carruthers wrote: 'Bro, I don't know what to say, I love you man. I miss you. For years, you were my buddy, and I was lucky to experience my football career with you and live with you. The world has lost a great person, but I know you're in heaven, my friend. I will cherish every memory I made with you, you will always be in my heart.'

Oli McBurnie, who played with Baldock for five years at Sheffield United, said he felt sick by the news. 'I can't believe you're gone, bro, I feel sick,' he wrote on Instagram. 'You were one of the best people I've ever met. My heart is broken for your beautiful little family. Rest in peace GB, I love you buddy.'

Former Sheffield United manager, Paul Heckingbottom, now manager of Preston, also paid tribute. 'It is heart-wrenching to hear that George Baldock has passed away, a man who had so much ahead of him as a husband, father, brother, and son,' he wrote on X. 'George was a great person and a fantastic professional who was admired and adored by everyone who worked with him. My prayers are now with his loved ones. George, it was a privilege to have known you.'