🚨 THE MOMENT BORO FANS AND PLAYERS UNITED TO HONOUR PCS BLADES AND CLOUGH… ALL EYES TURNED TO THE TWO CHILDREN OF ONE OF THE OFFICERS, LEAVING EVERYONE UNABLE TO HOLD BACK THE TEARS
Boro fans united to pay their respects to two police officers who were tragically killed in the A66 crash. Middlesbrough FC fans applauded PC Matthew Blades and PC Tom Clough before the 12.30pm home game against West Bromwich Albion on Saturday.
The faces of the respected officers, whose deaths sent shockwaves across Teesside and the nation, were beamed out on large screens in emotional scenes minutes before kick off.
Boro players, and their opposition, lined up and clapped, with the images of the two officers behind them. Supporters from both teams could be seen standing and clapping – showing the strength of feeling about their tragic deaths.
Dad-of-two PC Blades, 37, and PC Clough, 38, died when a Volkswagen Passat travelling the wrong way on the A66 at South Bank collided with their vehicle last weekend.
Ahead of the game, Middlesbrough FC said: “Immediately before kick-off, we’re asking supporters to join us in paying respects to PC Matthew Blades and PC Tom Clough, the two Cleveland Police officers who tragically lost their lives in the line of duty last Saturday.
“We are also showing our appreciation for the dedication and hard work of both men, and to Cleveland Police force in protecting and supporting our local community.”
The club added in a statement: “The commitment shown by officers and staff, often in challenging and demanding circumstances, plays a vital role in keeping residents safe and helping people feel secure in their homes, neighbourhoods and local areas.”
PC Tom Clough (left) and PC Matthew Blades(Image: Cleveland Police/PA Wire)
Cleveland Police helmets placed onto Hartlepool United’s pitch on Friday during a two minute silence(Image: NurPhoto via Getty Images)
At Hartlepool United’s game against Eastleigh FC on Friday, two police helmets were placed on the pitch to mark the lives of each officer, as a two minute silence was observed.
It also emerged on Friday that King Charles had written to the families of the officers saying they had made the ‘ultimate sacrifice’.
Cole Worthy, 17; Theo Rae, 17; Makai Saddington, 18; and 23-year-olds Michael Cahill and Jakub Matusiak were also killed in the crash. Cleveland Police said its officers have been investigating alleged organised crime in the wake of the crash and, on Friday night, a total of 24 people had been arrested.
Earlier on Friday, detectives confirmed they were not linking a house fire which killed a seven-year-old girl and her aunt to the A66 crash. Natalie McDonald, 34, and her niece, Valentina Foster, died while four other people were injured in the blaze on Wednesday morning – with two men, aged 23 and 31, still in custody on suspicion of murder.
SOURCE: https://www.gazettelive.co.uk/news/teesside-news/boro-fans-police-tribute-applause-34541617