Football Fans Rally in Search for Missing Birmingham City Supporter Paul Pike
Football fans have united in a large-scale community effort to locate missing Birmingham City supporter Paul Pike. The 18-year-old, who has ADHD and is autistic, disappeared during a match at Derby County's Pride Park stadium on Saturday, March 21.
Details of Paul Pike's Disappearance
Paul Pike was believed to have entered the stadium for the Birmingham City match but left just 13 minutes after kick-off. He was last seen wearing distinctive clothing including a Sergio Tacchino tracksuit top that is grey on top and black on the bottom, a Burberry patterned baseball cap, a navy blue polo shirt, and blue jeans.
The teenager is described as white, approximately 6 feet 1 inch tall, with a slim build, short dark brown hair, and a beard. His last known location was near the footpath by the River Derwent adjacent to Pride Park stadium.
Community Search Efforts Intensify
On Thursday, March 26, fans responded to social media calls for assistance and organized search parties throughout the area surrounding Pride Park. Volunteers utilized various tools including megaphones, drones, and sticks to thoroughly comb through the terrain.
Robert Jones, who brought two drones to aid in the search, explained his motivation: "I saw on Facebook that a young man had gone missing after a football game, and someone asked for my support with the drones we have. It's sad, you know. You've got to come out and support as much as possible. I have children, it's only right that we come together and help out."
Search groups divided into teams covering different areas, with some heading toward Derby city center and others toward Raynesway. Stewart Boon, a volunteer from Allenton, stated: "I thought I may as well come out and help the community out. He's young, 18 years old. We just want to keep looking for him until we find him."
Widespread Support from Football Community
Dylan Beeton, who traveled from Nottingham to participate in the search, emphasized the collective purpose: "The main reason we've come here today is we want to help the family, help his friends, and everyone who's come down here today to search for Paul. We want to get a bit of closure."
Police temporarily requested that civilian drones be grounded while their own aerial equipment operated for several hours, but volunteers planned to resume drone operations in the evening and continue as long as necessary.
How to Help
Anyone with information about Paul Pike's whereabouts is urged to contact Derbyshire Constabulary immediately by calling 101 and quoting reference number 1095 of March 24. The football community continues to demonstrate remarkable solidarity in this urgent search for the missing teenager.
