Sons of police officer killed in A66 crash lead out Man United at Old Trafford
PC Matthew Blades was described by the club as a ‘proud Red’.
Manchester United were led out at Old Trafford on Sunday by the two sons of a police officer killed in a head-on crash in Teesside.
PC Matthew Blades, described by the club as a “proud Red”, was killed alongside colleague PC Tom Clough in a collision with a vehicle travelling the wrong way on the A66 at South Bank last weekend.
Middlesbrough paid tribute to the pair and other Cleveland Police officers on Saturday and United invited Blades’ wife and two sons to their Premier League match against Ipswich.
The children led the team out on to the pitch as mascots, walking with captain Bruno Fernandes and goalkeeper Senne Lammens.
The Premier League club expressed “great sadness” at the deaths of the two officers in the matchday programme.
“Matthew was a proud Red, a devoted family man and a police officer who dedicated his life to helping others,” United said.
“For Matt, some of his happiest times were spent watching United with his boys. His wife Sarah and two children will be at today’s game, with his sons leading out the Reds as mascots.”
An image of Blades with his two sons at Old Trafford featured in the programme, along with a tribute from an unnamed close friend and colleague.
“For Matthew, United was a lifelong love, a passion he shared with his family,” the tribute read.
“Since Matt’s tragic death there has been an extraordinary outpouring of grief and support. That love has been seen in countless tributes and acts of kindness.
“Today, we remember a fellow Red. A husband. A father. A son. A brother. A friend. A police officer. A man who gave his life in the service of others. Forever our superhero.”