Middlesbrough FC held a charity football game at the Riverside Stadium, generating a sum exceeding ten thousand pounds for the families of two police officers who died while working. The first Blades and Clough Cup brought together many Cleveland Police employees and their relatives at the stadium to honour PCs Matthew Blades and Tom Clough.

Superintendent Daryll Tomlinson, the event organiser, stated the match paid respect to their coworkers and friends. "The Blades and Clough Cup was about remembering two great colleagues, two much-loved friends, and two people who shared a genuine passion for football," Tomlinson said.

PC Blades and PC Clough died when a car going the incorrect direction on a road near Middlesbrough hit their marked police vehicle. The people in that car also died. The officers were looking into suspected organised crime but were not chasing the car when the collision happened.

The charity game involved sides called Matrix XI and Cleveland Police Veterans FC, led by former Middlesbrough players Dimi Konstantopoulos and Craig Hignett. In a touching scene, PC Blades' two young sons came onto the pitch to play, with one converting a penalty kick and the other scoring following a good individual effort. The Veterans team was victorious.

Before the match began, the teams placed a wreath on the field and spectators participated in a minute of applause. Mascots from a youth team PC Blades once coached accompanied the players onto the pitch. The occasion collected a total of £10,455 for the charity Care of Police Survivors (COPS). Another fundraising campaign created by the Cleveland Police Federation to remember the officers has raised more than one million pounds.

The club's community work occurs as the senior team gets ready for its next Championship match. Michael Carrick's team will play at home against Bristol City, aiming to continue a recent sequence of results. Supporters can view the upcoming schedule.

PC Blades had previously worked as a teacher and was a committed youth football coach, and his local club has named a side after him. PC Clough was formerly a soldier in the British Army. The charity match took place after their funerals were held in the region.

More detail at bbc.co.uk