Football clubs honor two Cleveland police officers killed in A66 crash
Middlesbrough and West Barbican players observed a minute’s silence for PC Matthew Blades and PC Tom Clough, who died in a head-on collision on the A66, while Hartlepool United held a two-minute tribute before their match.
A fatal head-on crash on the A66 near Middlesbrough on 22 August resulted in the deaths of Cleveland Police officers PC Matthew Blades and PC Tom Clough, as well as five occupants of the oncoming vehicle—a Passat driven by Michael Robert Cahill and carrying Jacob Matusiak, Makai Saddington, Theo Rae and Cole Robert Worthy. In tribute, Middlesbrough and West Barbican players observed a minute’s silence before their Championship match at Riverside Stadium, with images of the officers shown on the big screen.
Hartlepool United also honored the fallen officers with a two-minute silence before their National League game against Eastleigh. Middlesbrough FC issued a statement praising the dedication of the officers and the broader Cleveland Police force. Earlier in the week, 17 arrests were made in connection with the crash, bringing the total to 24.
Why it matters
The tributes highlight the close ties between local football clubs and community policing after a tragic loss.
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