Officer's Sons Lead Out Manchester United Team

Manchester United called Blades a “proud Red” — a loyal supporter — and said he had often come to Old Trafford. The club printed a long tribute to him in its matchday programme, describing him as a devoted family man and an officer who spent his life helping others. His widow, Sarah, watched the game from the stands. Reports said the crash happened about ten seconds after officers gave up chasing the other car, and that police have now arrested 24 people as part of an investigation into organised crime in the area.

Tributes have gone far beyond Old Trafford. On Saturday, fans held a minute's applause for both officers before Middlesbrough's match against West Bromwich Albion, and pictures of the two men were shown on a large screen. People also gathered at a game between Seaton Carew and Hartlepool, two clubs where Blades had coached children's football. At another match, the officials wore black armbands because the referee had been his friend. A colleague's message in the United programme called him “forever our superhero”.