Am really glad you did write this Sam. It is wonderfully honest and I can feel how raw and challenging the emotions you describe are. I am sure you know but your feelings are absolutely valid. Grief comes in different shapes and sizes and what you're feeling is clearly deep and intense. It is difficult to rationalise how connected we can feel to football players that we haven't ever met, and yet we have shared a deep and emotional bond with. And for me it seems clear that George loved Sheff United as much as we did. And that's a significant and genuine connection in my opinion. Thank you for sharing and I hope the anger is fading.
Wonderful words. Found myself close to tears over someone I don’t know so many times over the past few days. Footballers are proxies for ourselves in many ways, playing temporarily for a club we have and will love forever on our behalf. When you think about it, it’s quite a burden to put on someone, but George Baldock was one of those players who lived up to our expectations, his effort and desire so obvious. It never felt like he was there for the pay or the stepping stone. He is much more than that to people who knew him of course, but I think for fans of the clubs he played for, that’s why he is so important and beloved.
I’ve butchered that but hopefully the sentiment is clear.
thanks sam, this is 100% what i've been trying to put into words to people about why i feel so sad about this news about a person i only met once fleetingly x
Am really glad you did write this Sam. It is wonderfully honest and I can feel how raw and challenging the emotions you describe are. I am sure you know but your feelings are absolutely valid. Grief comes in different shapes and sizes and what you're feeling is clearly deep and intense. It is difficult to rationalise how connected we can feel to football players that we haven't ever met, and yet we have shared a deep and emotional bond with. And for me it seems clear that George loved Sheff United as much as we did. And that's a significant and genuine connection in my opinion. Thank you for sharing and I hope the anger is fading.
Wonderful words. Found myself close to tears over someone I don’t know so many times over the past few days. Footballers are proxies for ourselves in many ways, playing temporarily for a club we have and will love forever on our behalf. When you think about it, it’s quite a burden to put on someone, but George Baldock was one of those players who lived up to our expectations, his effort and desire so obvious. It never felt like he was there for the pay or the stepping stone. He is much more than that to people who knew him of course, but I think for fans of the clubs he played for, that’s why he is so important and beloved.
I’ve butchered that but hopefully the sentiment is clear.
RIP George
A superb tribute. Thank you, Sam.
Had me in floods of tears and perfectly articulated what George meant to us Blades.
(F**k, it is hard to write in the past tense!)
So many players wear the shirt.
Yet, only a few become Blades.
His performances and attitude epitomised the city of which we are so proud.
Given what he meant to us, ‘The George Baldock Fan Zone’ seems appropriate?!
Thanks again
What lovely words.
And we did know him. We knew his raw emotions when we won, we shared his desolation when he was injured or we lost.
We may not have known him personally, but we are all intrinsically linked by our love of the Blades and as such we are all family.
Thank you for expressing so much of the muddled sadness I’ve had since reading the news of his death
Lovely words Sam!
thanks sam, this is 100% what i've been trying to put into words to people about why i feel so sad about this news about a person i only met once fleetingly x
Spot on.
Took me a long time to gather myself to read this - well said, Sam.
I'm really glad you shared this too Sam. So so sad. Even if we can't, we should try and find the right words. I'm still searching...
Thank u Sam. I just feel terribly sad and shocked.
I do however v much like the idea of linking George to the Fanzone if his family and the club are willing.
A voice of reason. Thank you, Sam.
Sue.