Man Utd pay tribute to 'proud Red' officer who died in A66 crash

Manchester United honored a loyal fan and dedicated police officer on Sunday as the club paid tribute to PC Matthew Blades, who died in a tragic crash on the A66 near Middlesbrough.

The two sons of PC Blades, a self-described "proud Red," led out the Manchester United team as mascots ahead of the Premier League match against Ipswich Town at Old Trafford. The club included a tribute to the fallen officer in the match program, while his widow and children attended the game. PC Blades had been a regular at Old Trafford, reflecting his deep connection to the club.

The officer's death came in a head-on collision on the A66 early on August 22. PC Blades and his colleague PC Tom Clough were killed when their police car collided with a vehicle traveling in the wrong direction. Five others in the other vehicle also died in the crash. United expressed "great sadness" upon learning of the officers' deaths, describing PC Blades as a "devoted family man and a police officer who dedicated his life to helping others."

Football clubs across the region also paid their respects. At Elland Road, Leeds United match officials wore black armbands during their Premier League fixture against Brentford, as referee Tony Harrington was a friend of PC Blades. Middlesbrough FC held a minute’s applause before their Championship match against West Brom at Riverside Stadium, with images of the two officers displayed on the big screen.

Tributes extended beyond professional football. At Seaton Carew FC’s game against FC Hartlepool, fans gathered to honor PC Blades, who had been a junior football coach for both clubs.

The investigation into the crash has intensified, with 24 people arrested in connection with the incident. The occupants of the other vehicle, a Passat, were identified as Michael Robert Cahill, 23, Jacob Matusiak, 23, Makai Saddington, 18, Theo Rae, 17, and Cole Robert Worthy, 17. All five died in the collision.

PC Matthew Blades leaves behind a legacy as a committed police officer, a loving family man, and a lifelong supporter of Manchester United.

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