George Baldock
Baldock playing for Sheffield United in 2019
Personal information
Full name George Henry Ivor Baldock[1]
Date of birth (1993-03-09) 9 March 1993 (age 30)[2]
Place of birth Buckingham, England
Height 5 ft 10 in (1.78 m)[3]
Position(s) Right back
Team information
Current team
 Sheffield United
Number 2
Youth career
0000–2009 Milton Keynes Dons
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2009–2017 Milton Keynes Dons 104 (2)
2011 → Northampton Town (loan) 5 (0)
2012 → Tamworth (loan) 3 (0)
2012 → ÍBV (loan) 16 (1)
2012 → Tamworth (loan) 15 (1)
2015 → Oxford United (loan) 12 (1)
2015–2016 → Oxford United (loan) 27 (2)
2017– Sheffield United 205 (6)
International career‡
2022– Greece 9 (0)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 30 December 2023 (UTC)
‡ National team caps and goals, correct as of 01:20, 20 June 2023 (UTC)

George Henry Ivor Baldock (Greek: Τζορτζ Μπόλντοκ; born 9 March 1993) is a professional footballer who plays as a right back or right wing-back for Premier League club Sheffield United. Born in England, he plays for the Greece national team.

Club career

Milton Keynes Dons

Baldock was born in Buckingham, Buckinghamshire.[4] He started his career playing for Milton Keynes Dons' academy team. His older brother Sam Baldock also played for the club.[citation needed]

2009–10

Baldock made his first-team debut for Milton Keynes Dons on 1 May 2010 in the League One clash with Brighton & Hove Albion at the Stadium:mk which ended in 0–0 draw, coming on as a substitute for Daniel Powell in the 81st minute.[5]

2010–11

Baldock made his full debut for the club on the last day of the 2010–11 season in a League One match against Oldham Athletic.[6]

2011–12

On 30 October 2011, he joined Northampton Town on a month's loan. In March 2012 he joined Tamworth on loan, along with teammate Charlie Collins.[7] He made his debut in a 1–1 league draw against Gateshead and completed the full match.[8]

2012–13

On 3 May 2012, he joined Icelandic Úrvalsdeild club ÍBV on a one-month loan.[9] He made his debut for the club three days later in the opening match of the 2012 season, a 1–2 defeat away at Selfoss. Baldock was handed a one-match ban on 5 June 2012 after collecting four yellow cards in his first six games.[10] He scored his first goal for ÍBV on 20 June 2012 in the 3–1 away win over Grindavík before being substituted for Ragnar Leósson. The following day, the club announced that Baldock's loan spell had been extended until 8 August, meaning he would be eligible to participate in the Europa League qualifying campaign.[11] On 3 July 2012, he was given a further one-match suspension after becoming the first player of the season in the Icelandic leagues to reach the limit of seven yellow cards in league and cup matches.[12] Nevertheless, he made his first appearance in European competition two days later after being selected in the starting line-up for the 0–1 defeat to Irish outfit St Patrick's Athletic in the first leg of the Europa League first qualifying round.[13]

ÍBV announced on 9 August 2012 that Baldock's loan spell with the club had been extended until the end of the month.[14]

Following his return from his loan at ÍBV, Baldock linked up on loan once again with Conference Premier club Tamworth. He signed with the club until the end of year, along with Dons teammates Charlie Collins and Jordan Ivey-Ward. George scored his first goal for Tamworth against Woking in a 3–2 victory. On 19 December 2012, Baldock scored twice for Tamworth as they beat Corby Town away 4–2 in the FA Trophy second-round replay.[15]

2014–15

Baldock featured several times for Milton Keynes Dons in the first half of the 2014–15 season, including as part of the team involved in the memorable 4–0 win over Manchester United in the second round of the League Cup on 26 August 2015.[16]

On 12 February 2015, Baldock signed a loan deal till the end of the 2014–15 season with League Two club Oxford United.[17] He went on to play 12 games for the club, He scored a late equaliser in the 1–1 home draw with Morecambe.[18]

2015–16

Baldock returned to Oxford on a season-long loan on 30 June 2015.[19] During his loan Baldock established himself as an integral part of the team, later being named in the 2015–16 League 2 PFA Team of the Year for his performances with Oxford.[20][21]

On 28 January 2016, after he impressed during his loan spell with the club, Milton Keynes Dons announced that Baldock had been recalled.[22]

On 3 May 2016, having claimed a place as a regular first-team player, Baldock was named the club's Young Player of the Year 2015/16 at the club's end-of-season awards.[23]

2016–17

On 29 July 2016, Baldock signed a contract extension with Milton Keynes Dons, keeping him at the club until the summer of 2018.[24] On 26 November 2016, Baldock made his 100th appearance for the club in a 1–2 win away versus Coventry City.[25]

Sheffield United

On 13 June 2017, Baldock was reunited with former Oxford manager Chris Wilder when he joined newly promoted Championship club Sheffield United, on a three-year deal for an undisclosed fee.[26] On 28 April 2019, Baldock saw the Blades secure promotion to the Premier League following a 12-year absence.[27] On the 19 August 2019 Baldock signed a new 3-year contract at the club.[28] On 12 December 2020, Baldock signed a new four-year deal with The Blades, keeping him at the club until 2024.[29]

International career

Baldock is of Greek descent through his grandmother, and is thus eligible to represent Greece at an international level as well as England.[30] On 27 May 2022, he was called up to the Greece national team by Head Coach Gus Poyet for the first time ahead of their 2022–23 UEFA Nations League June fixtures.[31]

On the 2 June 2022, Baldock made his debut for Greece in a 1–0 win over Northern Ireland at Windsor Park in Belfast.[32]

Personal life

His elder brother Sam Baldock is also a former professional footballer, where his other elder brother James is a physiotherapist.

Career statistics

Club

As of match played 30 December 2023
Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
Club Season League National Cup[a] League Cup[b] Other Total
Division Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals
Milton Keynes Dons 2009–10[33] League One 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0
2010–11[34] League One 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 2 0
2011–12[35] League One 0 0 1 0 1 0 1[c] 0 3 0
2012–13[36] League One 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 2 0
2013–14[37] League One 38 2 4 0 2 0 2[c] 0 46 2
2014–15[38] League One 9 0 2 0 3 0 0 0 14 0
2015–16[39] Championship 15 0 0 0 0 0 — 15 0
2016–17[40] League One 37 0 3 0 0 0 2[d] 0 42 0
Total 104 2 10 0 6 0 5 0 125 2
Northampton Town (loan) 2011–12[35] League Two 5 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 5 0
Tamworth (loan) 2011–12[35] Conference Premier 3 0 0 0 — — 3 0
ÍBV (loan) 2012[41] Úrvalsdeild 16 1 1 0 — 2[e] 0 19 1
Tamworth (loan) 2012–13[42] Conference Premier 15 1 1 0 — 3[f] 2 19 3
Oxford United (loan) 2014–15[38] League Two 12 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 12 1
2015–16[39] League Two 27 2 5 0 1 0 2[c] 0 35 2
Total 39 3 5 0 1 0 2 0 47 3
Sheffield United 2017–18[43] Championship 34 1 3 0 1 0 — 38 1
2018–19[44] Championship 27 1 0 0 0 0 — 27 1
2019–20[45] Premier League 38 2 2 0 0 0 — 40 2
2020–21[46] Premier League 32 0 2 0 0 0 — 34 0
2021–22[47] Championship 25 1 0 0 0 0 2[g] 0 27 1
2022–23[48] Championship 36 1 4 0 0 0 — 40 1
2023–24[49] Premier League 11 0 0 0 0 0 — 11 0
Total 205 6 11 0 1 0 2 0 219 6
Career total 368 11 27 0 8 0 14 2 417 13
  1. ^ Includes FA Cup, Icelandic Men's Football Cup
  2. ^ Includes Football League/EFL Cup
  3. ^ a b c Appearance(s) in Football League Trophy
  4. ^ Appearances in EFL Trophy
  5. ^ Appearances in UEFA Europa League
  6. ^ Appearances in FA Trophy
  7. ^ Appearances in 2021–22 EFL Championship play-offs

International

As of match played 19 June 2023
Appearances and goals by national team and year
National team Year Apps Goals
Greece 2022 6 0
2023 3 0
Total 9 0

Honours

Individual

References

  1. ^ "2019/20 Premier League squads confirmed". Premier League. 3 September 2019. Retrieved 31 January 2020.
  2. ^ "George Baldock". Sheffield United F.C. Retrieved 31 January 2020.
  3. ^ "George Baldock: Overview". Premier League. Retrieved 31 January 2020.
  4. ^ "George Baldock". Barry Hugman's Footballers. Retrieved 31 January 2020.
  5. ^ "MK Dons 0 – 0 Brighton". BBC Sport. 1 May 2010. Retrieved 7 May 2011.
  6. ^ "Oldham 1 – 2 MK Dons". BBC Sport. 7 May 2011. Retrieved 7 May 2011.
  7. ^ "Lambs add Dons pair". Non-League Daily. Baltic Publications. 23 March 2012. Archived from the original on 26 March 2012. Retrieved 23 March 2012.
  8. ^ "Tamworth 1–1 Gateshead". BBC Sport. 24 March 2012. Retrieved 28 March 2012.
  9. ^ Magnús Már Einarsson (3 May 2012). "George Baldock til ÍBV (Staðfest)" [George Baldock to ÍBV (Confirmed)] (in Icelandic). Fótbolti.net. Retrieved 9 July 2012.
  10. ^ Magnús Már Einarsson (5 June 2012). "Úrskurður aganefndar: Tveir í þriggja leikja bann" [Disciplinary committee ruling: Two given three match bans] (in Icelandic). Fótbolti.net. Retrieved 9 July 2012.
  11. ^ Magnús Már Einarsson (21 June 2012). "ÍBV framlengir lánssamning við George Baldock" [ÍBV extend George Baldock loan deal] (in Icelandic). Fótbolti.net. Retrieved 9 July 2012.
  12. ^ Magnús Már Einarsson (3 July 2012). "George Baldock búinn að fá sjö gul spjöld í níu leikjum" [George Baldock gets seven yellow cards in nine matches] (in Icelandic). Fótbolti.net. Retrieved 9 July 2012.
  13. ^ "St Patrick's 1–0 ÍBV". UEFA. 5 July 2012. Retrieved 9 July 2012.
  14. ^ Magnús Már Einarsson (9 August 2012). "George Baldock leikur með ÍBV út mánuðinn" [George Baldock to play for ÍBV until the end of the month] (in Icelandic). Fótbolti.net. Retrieved 9 August 2012.
  15. ^ "Baldock back at The Lamb". Tamworth F.C. 31 August 2012. Retrieved 31 August 2012.
  16. ^ Osborne, Chris (26 August 2014). "Milton Keynes Dons 4–0 Manchester United". BBC Sport. Retrieved 23 March 2018.
  17. ^ "Oxford United Sign George Baldock". Oxford United F.C. 12 February 2015.
  18. ^ "Oxford United 1–1 Morecambe". BBC Sport. 3 March 2015. Retrieved 23 March 2018.
  19. ^ "George Baldock agrees season-long Oxford loan from MK Dons". BBC Sport. 30 June 2015. Retrieved 1 July 2015.
  20. ^ "Defender included in PFA Team of the Year". Milton Keynes Dons F.C. 22 April 2016. Retrieved 23 March 2018.
  21. ^ a b "PFA awards: Leicester and Spurs dominate Premier League team". BBC Sport. 21 April 2016. Retrieved 7 May 2018.
  22. ^ "Baldock's coming backr". Milton Keynes Dons F.C. 28 January 2016. Retrieved 23 March 2018.
  23. ^ "Martin named Player of the Year". Milton Keynes Dons F.C. 3 May 2016. Retrieved 23 March 2018.
  24. ^ "Baldock commits future to Club". Milton Keynes Dons F.C. 29 July 2016. Retrieved 30 November 2016.
  25. ^ "Baldock joins elite club". Milton Keynes Dons F.C. 30 November 2016. Retrieved 30 November 2016.
  26. ^ "George Baldock: Sheffield United sign MK Dons defender for undisclosed fee". BBC Sport. 13 June 2017. Retrieved 13 June 2017.
  27. ^ "Sheffield United promoted to Premier League after Leeds draw". BBC Sport. 28 April 2019. Retrieved 30 April 2019.
  28. ^ "Sheffield United: George Baldock signs new contract". BBC Sport. 19 August 2019. Retrieved 19 August 2019.
  29. ^ "George Baldock signs new deal".
  30. ^ Shield, James (5 April 2019). "Sheffield United: Defender makes a surprising admission as Chris Wilder's side chase automatic promotion to the Premier League". The Star.
  31. ^ "George Baldock: Sheffield United defender called up by Greece". BBC. 27 May 2022. Retrieved 27 May 2022.
  32. ^ "Northern Ireland 0-1 Greece". BBC. 2 June 2022. Retrieved 2 June 2022.
  33. ^ "Games played by George Baldock in 2009/2010". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 31 May 2014.
  34. ^ "Games played by George Baldock in 2010/2011". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 31 May 2014.
  35. ^ a b c "Games played by George Baldock in 2011/2012". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 31 May 2014.
  36. ^ "Games played by George Baldock in 2012/2013". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 31 May 2014.
  37. ^ "Games played by George Baldock in 2013/2014". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 31 May 2014.
  38. ^ a b "Games played by George Baldock in 2014/2015". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 21 January 2019.
  39. ^ a b "Games played by George Baldock in 2015/2016". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 21 January 2019.
  40. ^ "Games played by George Baldock in 2016/2017". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 21 January 2019.
  41. ^ "George Henry Ivor Baldock". KSÍ.is. Archived from the original on 4 March 2016. Retrieved 9 July 2012.
  42. ^ "G. Baldock". Soccerway. Perform Group. Retrieved 21 January 2019.
  43. ^ "Games played by George Baldock in 2017/2018". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 21 January 2019.
  44. ^ "Games played by George Baldock in 2018/2019". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 31 January 2020.
  45. ^ "Games played by George Baldock in 2019/2020". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 31 January 2020.
  46. ^ "Games played by George Baldock in 2020/2021". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 19 August 2021.
  47. ^ "Games played by George Baldock in 2021/2022". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 19 August 2021.
  48. ^ "Games played by George Baldock in 2022/2023". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 23 July 2022.
  49. ^ "Games played by George Baldock in 2023/2024". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 14 August 2023.
  50. ^ "Player of the Year awards – Winners". Milton Keynes Dons F.C. 5 May 2011. Archived from the original on 4 March 2016. Retrieved 5 September 2018.
  51. ^ "Martin named Player of the Year". Milton Keynes Dons F.C. 3 May 2016. Retrieved 5 September 2018.

External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to George Baldock.
Sheffield United F.C. – current squad
2015–16 Football League Two PFA Team of the Year
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