Manchester United have paid tribute to police constable Matthew Blades, a lifelong supporter of the club who died in a road crash on Teesside.
Blades and his colleague, PC Tom Clough, died on August 22 after their police vehicle was involved in a head-on collision with another vehicle travelling in the wrong direction on the A66 near Middlesbrough.
Five occupants of the other vehicle also died in the crash.
Described by Manchester United as a “proud Red” and devoted family man, Blades was remembered by the club during its Premier League fixture against Ipswich at Old Trafford on Sunday.
His two sons served as matchday mascots for the game, while their mother attended the fixture with them.
United also paid tribute to Blades in the official match programme, praising his dedication both as a police officer and a family man.
“Matthew was a proud Red, a devoted family man and a police officer who dedicated his life to helping others,” the club said.
Tributes were also held elsewhere in the region. Match officials at Leeds United’s game against Brentford wore black armbands in memory of Blades, while a minute’s applause was observed before Middlesbrough’s Championship fixture against West Bromwich Albion.
Blades also had strong links to grassroots football, having worked as a junior coach at Seaton Carew FC and FC Hartlepool.
The crash has led to a major investigation, with police making a total of 24 arrests in connection with the incident.
Manchester United expressed its condolences to the families, friends and colleagues of both officers, while the tributes from the football community highlighted the impact Blades had both as a police officer and as a member of his local sporting community.
