George Baldock: Dele Alli and Dean Henderson lead mourners at funeral of ex-Premier League star after tragic death at 31
DELE ALLI and Dean Henderson have joined mourners at the funeral of George Baldock.
The former Sheffield United defender was found dead in the swimming pool of his Athens home on October 9.
Baldock was honored at a funeral service in Milton Keynes on Wednesday morning.
The ceremony was attended by a host of mourners from his lengthy career.
Sheffield United boss Chris Wilder was joined by Baldock’s former teammates including Alli, Henderson, and Oli McBurnie.
Henderson was spotted earlier this month making his own tribute on the touchline ahead of England’s Nations League game with Greece.
The goalkeeper spent two years with Baldock at Bramall Lane during a loan spell from Manchester United.
He would later describe the 31-year-old as a “great teammate, great player and also a great family man.”
Born in Buckinghamshire, Baldock had Greek roots through his grandmother and played for the country 12 times.
He graduated from MK Dons’ youth set-up, where Alli also played before his move to Tottenham in 2015.
Paying a heartbreaking tribute to Baldock earlier this month, Alli said it had been an “honor to know” him.
He wrote on Instagram: “No words I could type or pictures I could use would ever be enough.
“May your spirit, ambition, determination and humility live on through those who had the honour of knowing you!
“I love you brother and will miss you forever!
“My thoughts, prayers and heart goes out to your family! Rest in peace Balders.”
Baldock made his name with the Blades, playing over 200 times for the club 2017 and 2024.
He had joined Panathinaikos from South Yorkshire this summer.
The defender made four appearances for the Greek side this season, including three in the league.
His most recent appearance came against Olympiacos on October 6.
Baldock was found unresponsive in his private swimming pool a day before he was due to fly back to the UK to see his fiancee Annabel and son Brody.
Following news of the star’s untimely death, McBurnie – another former Sheffield Utd teammate – paid tribute to his pal.
The striker, who now plays in Spain, said: “George loved his missus and his little boy so much.
“They’re the people in this that I really feel sorry for.
“I know how hard it’s been for me and some of the other boys who love him, but little Brody is going to grow up and never know what a top man his dad was.
“Me and the boys have said that it’s our duty to be part of his life and try to remind him at every opportunity how much of an amazing person his dad was.”