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The Premier League match between Manchester United and Ipswich at Old Trafford on Sunday will feature a touching tribute to PC Matthew Blades, a police officer who tragically lost his life in a road collision on Teesside. His two sons will have the honor of leading the Manchester United team out as mascots during the game. PC Blades, frequently seen at Old Trafford and known as a “proud Red” by the club, will also be remembered in the match programme. His widow, accompanied by their children, will attend the match.
PC Blades and his colleague PC Tom Clough both died in a head-on collision that took place early on 22 August. Their police vehicle was struck by a car traveling the wrong way on the A66 near Middlesbrough. Unfortunately, all five occupants of the other vehicle, identified as a Passat, also lost their lives. The club expressed deep sorrow upon hearing the news of the officers’ deaths, describing Matthew as a devoted family man who dedicated his life to serving others.
Several other football matches have also paid respect to the fallen officers. At Leeds United’s Premier League fixture against Brentford, officials wore black armbands in honor of PC Blades, as referee Tony Harrington was a friend of the officer. Additionally, before Middlesbrough’s Championship game against West Brom at Riverside Stadium, a minute’s applause was held in memory of both PC Blades and PC Clough. During this time, images of the two officers were displayed on the stadium screens.
Community tributes have extended beyond professional football as well. Seaton Carew FC, where PC Blades served as a junior football coach, hosted a memorial at their match against FC Hartlepool. In relation to the crash, police have made 24 arrests so far, with 17 arrests announced just this week as part of the ongoing investigation. The five people who also died in the crash were Michael Robert Cahill, Jacob Matusiak, Makai Saddington, Theo Rae, and Cole Robert Worthy
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