COPS URGENTLY SEARCHING FOR FOOTBALL FAN, 18 — BELONGINGS FOUND NEAR STADIUM SPARK WORRY Authorities are scrambling along the city streets and stadium perimeter after the belongings of an 18-year-old football fan, missing for a full week, were discovered near the grounds where he was last seen. Police sources describe a tense, urgent atmosphere as search teams comb every alley, underpass, and nearby park, hoping for any sign of the young supporter. Friends and family recall his infectious enthusiasm for the sport, painting a picture of a boy whose absence has left a heavy void in his community. Investigators are piecing together the timeline, noting that the scattered personal items — a jacket, a wallet, and a pair of boots — hint at a sudden disruption rather than a planned disappearance. As dusk falls over the stadium, floodlights cut through the growing shadows, casting an eerie glow over a scene filled with anxious expectation. Every footstep, every rustle of leaves seems magnified, a reminder of the urgency and emotional weight of the ongoing search.

FIND HIM 

Cops urgently searching for football fan, 18, missing for a week – as belongings found near stadium

An image collage containing 1 images, Image 1 shows A young man in a checkered flat cap and a gray and black jacket with a white logo and stripes, standing outside a stadium

A MISSING football fan’s belongings have been found near a stadium after he vanished a week ago.

Paul Pike, 18, from Birmingham, had travelled to Derbyshire to watch his team play at Pride Park on Saturday, March 21, before he vanished.

Spectators arriving at Pride Park stadium for Derby County's EFL Championship League match against Birmingham City.
A missing football fan’s belongings have been found near Pride Park stadium, police saidCredit: Shutterstock Editorial

 

A young man in a checkered flat cap and a gray and black jacket with a white logo and stripes, standing outside a stadium.
Paul Pike vanished on March 21 and was spotted outside the stadiumCredit: Derbyshire Constabulary

The teen was last spotted outside the stadium less than 15 minutes after kick-off at around 12.43pm.

Paul was seen on CCTV walking a path that runs alongside the River Derwent close to the Millenium Way cut through, police said.

On Friday, Derbyshire Police said they had found items they believe belong to Paul near a path next to the stadium.

His family issued a heartbreaking statement this week saying they love him and are very concerned for his welfare.

It read: “Paul, you are not in trouble at all, we just want you home.

“Come home so we can look forward to the cricket season at Warwickshire and the rest of the season for the Blues.

“I will also sort out the away tickets for Hull.”

Cops have now launched an urgent appeal to anyone who may have seen the 18-year-old in the area at the time he was last seen.

A spokesperson said: “We are now appealing for anyone who was on the riverside path at around 12.45pm – in particular any cyclists who may have had an action camera that may have caught footage of Paul.

“We are keen to hear from anyone who has seen Paul, as well as anyone who was driving in the Pride Park area at the time who has dashcam footage.”

Paul is described as white, around 6ft 1in and of slim build with short dark brown hair and a beard.

He was last seen wearing a Sergio Tacchino tracksuit top which is grey on the top and black on the bottom, a Burberry patterned baseball cap, navy blue polo shirt and blue jeans.

Anyone with information has been urged to get in touch with the police, quoting the reference 1095 of March 24.

Derby, UK. 21st Mar, 2026. Pride Park Stadium prior to kick off during the EFL Championship football match between Derby County and Birmingham City at Pride Park Stadium in Derby. Credit: SPP Sport Press Photo. /Alamy Live News
Paul left the stadium about fifteen minutes after the match had startedCredit: Alamy

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