Fallen Police Officer’s Sons Lead Man United Team as Mascots in Emotional Old Trafford Tribute

By Dorcas Francis Koji

Two sons of a police officer who died in a tragic road crash on Teesside were given a special honour at Old Trafford on Sunday as they led Manchester United onto the pitch as mascots for the Premier League clash against Ipswich Town.

The children of PC Matthew Blades, a lifelong Manchester United supporter, were chosen to accompany the team before the match as the club paid tribute to their late father.

Blades, whom Manchester United described as a “proud Red”, was a regular visitor to Old Trafford and remained a passionate supporter of the club.

The club paid tribute to him in its matchday programme, while his widow attended Sunday’s fixture alongside their children.

PC Blades and his colleague, PC Tom Clough, died on August 22 after their police vehicle was involved in a head-on collision with a car travelling in the wrong direction on the A66 near Middlesbrough.

Five occupants of the other vehicle also died in the devastating crash.

Manchester United expressed its sadness following the deaths and honoured Blades’ memory during the fixture.

“Matthew was a proud Red, a devoted family man and a police officer who dedicated his life to helping others,” the club said in its tribute.

The emotional gesture at Old Trafford formed part of wider tributes to the two officers across the region.

At Elland Road, match officials for Leeds United’s Premier League meeting with Brentford wore black armbands in memory of Blades. Referee Tony Harrington was reportedly a friend of the late officer.

A minute’s applause was also held before Middlesbrough’s Championship match against West Bromwich Albion at the Riverside Stadium on Saturday, with images of Blades and Clough displayed on the stadium screens.

Further tributes took place at Seaton Carew FC’s match against FC Hartlepool. Blades had previously served as a junior football coach at both clubs.

The investigation into the fatal crash has also continued, with 17 people arrested during the week, taking the total number of arrests connected to the case to 24.

The five people travelling in the other vehicle were identified as Michael Robert Cahill, 23; Jacob Matusiak, 23; Makai Saddington, 18; Theo Rae, 17; and Cole Robert Worthy, 17. They also died in the collision.

The tributes across football and the wider community reflected the impact of Blades and Clough, both of whom lost their lives while serving as police officers.