THE TOUCHLINE WILL NEVER LOOK THE SAME AGAIN: FC HARTLEPOOL RENAMES ITS TEAM FOR PC MATTHEW BLADES — BUT THE MOST HEARTBREAKING PART OF THE TRIBUTE IS WHO WAS SUPPOSED TO BE PLAYING FOR HIM
A grassroots football club has changed one of its teams’ names in honour of former coach PC Matthew Blades.
PC Blades, 37, lost his life along with his colleague, PC Tom Clough, 38, of Cleveland Police, when a Volkswagen Passat collided with their marked police armed response vehicle they were travelling in. The Passat went in the wrong direction down the A66 in South Bank when the crash happened at 3.39am on Saturday, August 22.
Five people in the Passat were also pronounced dead at the scene, Michael Robert Cahill, 23, Theo Rae, 17, Cole Robert Worthy, 17, Jakub Matusiak, 23, and Makai Saddington, 18.
Dad-of-two PC Blades was a much-loved coach at FC Hartlepool and in a lasting tribute to him the club has changed one of the team’s names. At the weekend the FC Blades – formerly FC U10 Reds – took to the pitch as the new season got underway.
In a social media post the club said PC Blades would forever be part of FC Hartlepool. It said: “Some things in football mean far more than the result. The FC U10 Reds have changed their name to FC Blades in tribute to coach Matt, whose influence on the team and everyone around it will never be forgotten.
“Yesterday marked the beginning of that new chapter, with The Blades taking to the pitch for the first time under their new name. And the boys started the season brightly, playing some good football to win their opening game.
“A new name and a new season, but one that will always carry Matt’s influence and memory with it. FC Blades.”
FC Hartlepool has renamed one of the teams in honour of PC Matthew Blades (inset)(Image: UGC)
Following the tragic collision FC Hartlepool said in a statement: “Matty was so much more than a coach. He was a role model, a mentor, a friend, and someone the children looked up to and admired. He was able to share his love of football with his son while inspiring and supporting every child on the team.
“Matty gave his time, energy, and heart to the team. He encouraged the boys, believed in them, supported them, and helped them grow – not only as footballers but as young people. His kindness, patience, and infectious personality made him loved by all who had the privilege of knowing him.”
They added: “Matty, thank you for everything you gave to our club and to our boys. Your place within the FC Hartlepool family will always remain, and your memory will live on in the team, in the children you inspired and in everyone whose life you touched.”
Last weekend PC Blades’ two young sons were invited along to be mascots for Manchester United and lead the team out at Old Trafford. Manchester United printed a tribute to PC Matthew Blades in their matchday programme ahead of their Premier League match against Ipswich Town. They described him as a proud Red, a devoted family man and a police officer who dedicated his life to helping others.
