Football fans and players across Teesside have paid tribute to two Cleveland Police officers who died in a road crash.
According to BBC on Saturday, PC Matthew Blades and PC Tom Clough were killed when their police car was involved in a head-on collision with a vehicle travelling the wrong way in the A66 near Middlesbrough in the early hours of 22 August. Five people in the other vehicle also died.
A minute’s applause was held before the Middlesbrough’s Championship match against West Bromwich Albion at Riverside Stadium. Images of the two officers were shown on the stadium screen as supporters and players remembered them.
Tributes were also held at a match between Seaton Carew FC and FC Hartlepool. PC Blades had worked as a junior football coach at both clubs and was well known in the local football community.
Seaton Carew coach Marcus Newing, who was a friend of PC Blades, described the past week as “horrendous” but said the support from people across the country had been comforting.
He remembered PC Blades as a devoted father and husband who was always willing to help others.
“He was giving to everybody, he was daft as a brush, the smile that would light up a room and he loved being around people,” Mr Newing said.
Seaton FC ambassador Marty Hewitt said the tragedy had brought rival clubs together.
“Everyone just wants to put some time back and take a moment out and reflect on what Matty’s done and obviously for the life of Tom as well,” he said.
Middlesbrough FC also paid tribute to the officers, praising their dedication and the work of Cleveland Police in protecting the local community.
On Friday evening, Hartlepool United held a two-minute silence before their National League match against Eastleigh.
The crash investigation has also continued, with 24 people arrested in connection with the incident.
The five people travelling in the other vehicle were also killed. They were named as Michael Robert Cahill, 23, Jacob Matusiak, 23, Makai Saddington, 18, Theo Rae, 17, and Cole Robert Worthy, 17.
The tributes have highlighted the strong connection between the officers and the communities they served, with football fans and clubs coming together to remember their lives and service.
