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

WHAT HAPPENED
Manchester United will have the two sons of PC Matthew Blades lead the team out as mascots for Sunday’s Premier League match against Ipswich at Old Trafford. Blades, who regularly attended United matches, was killed alongside PC Tom Clough in a head-on collision on the A66 near Middlesbrough early on 22 August; five people in the other car also died.

United has included a tribute to Blades in the match programme. His widow and children are due to attend the game.

KEY CONTEXT
- The crash involved a police vehicle and a car reportedly travelling the wrong way on the A66. Both officers died at the scene.
- Five occupants of the other vehicle — Michael Robert Cahill (23), Jacob Matusiak (23), Makai Saddington (18), Theo Rae (17) and Cole Robert Worthy (17) — were also killed.
- Local tributes have taken place: a minute’s applause and images for the two officers were shown before Middlesbrough’s match with West Brom, and people gathered at Seaton Carew FC, where Blades had coached juniors.

WHY IT MATTERS
The club’s decision to have Blades’ sons as mascots and to include a programme tribute underlines the connection between the officer and the Manchester United community; it is an example of how football clubs and local supporters publicly acknowledge the loss of figures who were active in both policing and grassroots football. The public remembrances at other matches and local clubs reflect the wider impact of the tragedy on the region’s football community.

WHAT TO WATCH NEXT
- The match at Old Trafford will provide a public moment of recognition for Blades and his family.
- The police inquiry remains active: earlier this week 17 people were arrested in connection with the collision, bringing the total number of arrests to 24. Further developments in the investigation and any legal actions will be announced by authorities.

KEY FACTS
- PC Matthew Blades and PC Tom Clough were killed in a head-on collision on the A66 near Middlesbrough on 22 August.
- Five people in the other vehicle died: Michael Robert Cahill (23), Jacob Matusiak (23), Makai Saddington (18), Theo Rae (17), Cole Robert Worthy (17).
- Manchester United featured a tribute to Blades in the match programme and will have his two sons as mascots.
- A minute’s applause and image tributes were held at Middlesbrough’s game with West Brom; local clubs also paid tribute.
- Police have made 24 arrests so far as part of the investigation.