Last week, two-time former United loanee George Baldock died aged just 31 after he drowned while swimming in the pool at his home in Athens.
Greek international Baldock was playing for Panathinaikos, who he joined in May after seven years with Sheffield United.
His older brothers James and Sam are also heavily connected to the U’s community.
James has been United’s club doctor since October 2020, and is taking time out away from his duties, while Sam scored four goals in 11 games for the U’s before injury forced him to retire in September 2023.
READ ALSO: Chris Wilder pays heartfelt tribute to George Baldock
Meanwhile, on Monday, Bristol City announced that former United head coach Liam Manning will take a period of absence from the dugout following the tragic death of his baby son.
The 39-year-old will take a break from football, with his assistant Chris Hogg, who was also his number two with the U’s, set to take charge for the foreseeable.
Manning left United for the Robins in November last year, having took over the U’s in March.
He guided United to safety in Sky Bet League One at the end of the 2022/23 campaign, and when he exited early on during the following season, the U’s sat second in the table.
READ ALSO: Former U’s boss to take leave after death of baby son
Both tragic cases follow the death of Abingdon United midfielder Jack Badger, who passed away aged 24 last month.
Badger was a United fan and in the 2-1 defeat at Manning’s Robins, the first game following the announcement of Badger’s death, a brilliant minute’s applause from the U’s faithful, in tribute to Badger, was held after 24 minutes.
Last month also saw the death of former United goalkeeper Steve Hardwick aged 68.
Hardwick made 196 appearances for the club, and was virtually an ever-present as the U’s won back-to-back titles in Division Three and Division Two in 1984 and 1985.
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Asked about the devastating news with both Baldock and Manning, Buckingham told this newspaper: “In both cases, they’re both really tragic events, and certainly for George, he’s someone that played at this club and played at other clubs, and you’ve seen the outpouring of support and condolences to his family.
“All we can do here is we’ve got his brother that works here as the doctor, is to support his family at this time.
“It’s the same for Liam. He was here for a short time, but he helped us stay in the league and was a part of the club’s fabric.
“It’s heartbreaking news when something like that happens. It’s not been a nice month for off-field things, but it certainly puts things into perspective.”
