'It feels like I've lost a friend'

George Baldock played three seasons in the Premier League for Sheffield United

Following the death of footballer George Baldock, flowers and tributes have been laid for the former Sheffield United player at Bramall Lane.

Known by fans as "Starman", the defender helped the Blades to two promotions to the Premier League.

The England-born Greece international was found dead in the swimming pool of his house in Glyfada, southern Athens on Wednesday.

Initial coroner's findings suggest Baldock drowned and police say they have ruled out any criminal activity.

The BBC spoke to fans leaving tributes outside the ground about Baldock's legacy.

"He was just brilliant, Mr Sheffield United," said Lyndsey Allison, as she laid flowers underneath a shirt with "Baldock" printed on the back.

Lifelong fan Ms Allison said she was "absolutely devastated, shocked" at news of Baldock's death.

"It feels like I've lost a friend," she said.

"I know he was a footballer doing a job, but you could see it was more than a job to him.

He'll be forever missed."

Lifelong fan Lyndsey Allison had laid flowers outside the ground

Chris McTigue, 44, said he has been a Blades fan since he was a boy

Baldock "knew what it was to be a Sheffield United player, he knew what it was to be a Blade", he said.

"When he wasn't in the team and was injured, at away games he'd be sat with the fans.

"He was a proper Sheffield United fan, player, he was adored by the staff of this club, and the fans."

George Baldock played for the Blades for seven years

Baldock had joined Greek side Panathinaikos in the summer after playing for most of his career with Sheffield United.

His death has left fans feeling "so numb and so low", Mr McTigue said.

He brought a retro shirt with "RIP Our Starman" written on it to lay outside ground.

"He was just the heart and soul of Bramall Lane," Mr McTigue said.

Fan Chris McTigue said Baldock was "adored" by staff at the club and fans

Mr McTigue supports fans who want to see Baldock's number two shirt retired.

"They should retire his shirt number, because this guy would never be forgotten," he said.

"An absolute legend and it's tragic what's happened," he said.

Karen Dawson (right) and Karen Gosling said the former Blades player will be "truly missed"

Karen Dawson and her friend Karen Gosling also made the trip to Bramall Lane to pay their respects.

When Ms Dawson heard the news, she said she thought it was a hoax.

"My grandson rang me about 21:30 last night, and I was like 'don't be ridiculous'," she said.

"It's unbelievable."

After laying flowers, Ms Gosling said she was "gutted", adding: "I'm going to miss him."

Tributes have been laid at the football ground following the news of Baldock's death

For Ms Allison, she will remember him for his work on and off the pitch.

She met him and his family while in a nearby shopping centre, where he "made a fuss" of her daughter.

"He was such a decent person, he gave everything," she said.

"He gave his all on the pitch, but was equally good off the pitch [with the fans]," the 42-year-old season ticket holder said.

"I've laid some flowers. It's not something I normally do, but I couldn't sit at home. I said to my husband, I can't sit here, I need to go down to the Lane."

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