U boss fully acknowledges the tragic deaths

DES Buckingham has paid his heartfelt tribute following two tragic deaths within Oxford United and the wider football community.

Last week, two-time former United loanee George Baldock died aged just 31 after drowning while swimming in the pool at his home in Athens.

Greece international Baldock played for Panathinaikos, who he joined in May after seven years at Sheffield United.

His older brothers James and Sam also have strong ties to the US community.

James has been United’s club doctor since October 2020, taking time off from his duties, while Sam scored four goals in 11 games for the U’s before injury forced him to retire in September 2023.

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Meanwhile, Bristol City announced on Monday that former United head coach Liam Manning will be away from the dugout for a period following the tragic death of his young son.

The 39-year-old will take a break from football and his assistant Chris Hogg, who was also his number two at the U’s, will take over for the foreseeable future.

Manning left United in November last year and joined the Robins after taking over at the U’s in March.

He led United to safety in Sky Bet League One at the end of the 2022/23 season and when he left early the following season, the U’s finished second in the table.

ALSO READ: Former U boss takes vacation after the death of his young son

Both tragic cases follow the death of Abingdon United midfielder Jack Badger, who died aged 24 last month.

Badger was a United fan and in the 2-1 defeat to Manning’s Robins, the first game after Badger’s death was announced, there was a great applause from the U’s fans after 24 minutes in Badger’s honor.

Former United goalkeeper Steve Hardwick also died last month, aged 68.

Hardwick played 196 games for the club and was a virtual ever-present as the U’s won consecutive Third and Second Division titles in 1984 and 1985.

Asked about the devastating news of Baldock and Manning, Buckingham told this newspaper: “In both cases they are truly tragic events and for George it is certainly someone who has played at this club and at other clubs, and She’s seen support and condolences being shown to his family.

“All we can do here is so that his brother, who works here as a doctor, can support his family during this time.

“Same goes for Liam. He was only here for a short time, but he helped us stay in the league and was an integral part of the club’s fabric.

“It is heartbreaking news when something like this happens. It hasn’t been a great month for things off the field, but it definitely puts things into perspective.”

Des Buckingham, head coach of Oxford United (Image: Mike Allen)