The fans of an Eredivisie club in the Netherlands have paid an epic tribute to an exiting laundrywoman.
Carla Whittie, who worked at Go Ahead Eagles for 27 years providing a vital but often unheralded service, was thrust into a rare spotlight on a matchday.
She was brought out onto the pitch alongside club officials — and their eagle mascot — and handed some framed pictures to honour her time helping the team.
Remarkably, fans behind the goal then unfurled a sensational tifo — a large-scale flag often with creative imagery made famous by hardcore football fans — bearing Carla’s likeness to thank her.
Perhaps this tifo of a club’s laundrywoman is the first-ever of its kind.
Carla was moved to tears as the fans paid their respects to her near three-decade long service to Go Ahead Eagles.
Go Ahead Eagles played out a goalless draw with visitors AZ Alkmaar, who rested Republic of Ireland international Troy Parrott, on Thursday night.
They sit 11th in the 18-team Eredivisie but will move forwards without Carla, one of their most loyal servants.
