Manchester United paid tribute to police officer PC Matthew Blades on Sunday, with his two sons serving as mascots for the Premier League match against Ipswich Town at Old Trafford.
Blades, a lifelong United supporter who regularly attended matches at the stadium, was remembered by the club in the official match programme. His widow was also present with their children as United recognised his life and connection to the team.
PC Blades and fellow officer PC Tom Clough died in a head-on crash on the A66 near Middlesbrough in the early hours of 22 August. Their police vehicle collided with a car travelling in the wrong direction.
Five people travelling in the other vehicle were also killed.
United described Blades as a committed family man, dedicated police officer and passionate supporter of the club.
Tributes were also held elsewhere across English football during the weekend.
Officials at Leeds United’s Premier League match against Brentford wore black armbands because referee Tony Harrington had been a friend of Blades.
Middlesbrough remembered both officers before Saturday’s Championship game against West Bromwich Albion at the Riverside Stadium. Supporters took part in a minute of applause while images of Blades and Clough appeared on the stadium screen.
Further commemorations took place at the match between Seaton Carew FC and FC Hartlepool. Blades had previously worked as a junior football coach with both clubs.
The investigation into the fatal collision remains ongoing. Seventeen more people were arrested earlier in the week, taking the total number of arrests connected with the case to 24.
The five occupants of the Volkswagen Passat involved in the crash were identified as Michael Robert Cahill, 23, Jacob Matusiak, 23, Makai Saddington, 18, Theo Rae, 17, and Cole Robert Worthy, 17.