Football fans pay tribute to crash death officers

Football fans and players have paid tribute to two Cleveland Police officers who were killed in a crash on Teesside.

PC Matthew Blades and PC Tom Clough died in a head-on collision between their police car and a vehicle going the wrong way on the A66 near Middlesbrough early on 22 August. Five people in the other vehicle also died.

There was a minute's applause in their memory ahead of Middlesbrough and West Bromwich Albion's Championship match at Riverside Stadium, as pictures of the two men were displayed on a screen.

People also gathered to pay tribute at Seaton Carew FC's game against FC Hartlepool. PC Matthew Blades had been a junior football coach at both teams.

Seaton Carew FC coach Marcus Newing, who was friends with him, said the past week had been "horrendous", but seeing the "outpouring" from the nation had been "comforting".

"People would probably say that he's the goal of a dad and a husband," Newing said.

"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, he loved making a difference.

"He would go out of his way to make people stay, to make people feel safe. The children loved him, everybody loved Matt."

Seaton FC ambassador Marty Hewitt said rivalry had been put aside.

"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."

Middlesbrough FC said in a statement prior to the match: "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 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."

On Friday evening Hartlepool United also held a two-minute silence before their home National League game against Eastleigh.

Earlier this week 17 people were arrested in connection with the investigation into the crash bringing the total number of arrests to 24.

The occupants of the other vehicle, a Passat - Michael Robert Cahill, 23, Jacob Matusiak, 23, Makai Saddington, 18, Theo Rae, 17, and Cole Robert Worthy, 17, also died.

Speaking earlier on Radio 4's Today programme, Middlesbrough mayor Chris Cooke said Cleveland Police was doing "extremely well" despite a lack of funding that "they absolutely need".

"They are a police force that has been the hardest hit.

"They've had over 10 per cent reduction in FTE (full-time equivalent) of police officers, while other places have seen over 20 per cent increase, and that isn't fair," he said.

Cooke added police funding should "follow need".

"It cannot just be based on population sizes as it currently is, because that serves no one well," he said.

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