Go Ahead Eagles Fans Honor Longtime Kit Woman Carla Whittie with Emotional Tribute

Go Ahead Eagles supporters honored longtime kit woman Carla Whittie with a massive tifo display before their Eredivisie match against AZ Alkmaar, celebrating her 28 years of service to the Deventer-based club.

The tribute took place on Thursday, April 24, 2026, at De Adelaarshorst stadium, where fans unveiled a giant banner featuring Whittie’s face accompanied by the message: “Carla club icon. Thank you for everything!” The emotional ceremony occurred before kickoff, with Whittie receiving a certificate of appreciation on the pitch.

Whittie, who is 53 years old, joined Go Ahead Eagles in July 1998, initially working as a volunteer before her role became a paid position. Over nearly three decades, she has witnessed multiple relegations and promotions, including the club’s KNVB Cup victory last season and their subsequent Europa League campaign.

The kit woman’s dedication has made her a beloved figure among players, staff, and supporters. As the club stated, Whittie is “really loved by all the employees at the club, the players and the supporters.” Her longevity appears to be unique within the organization, with Whittie noting she doesn’t “believe anyone has ever been on the payroll for so long.”

Reflecting on her early years with the club, Whittie shared how kit staff were not initially considered full members of the team: “When I started at Go Ahead Eagles, I wasn’t even allowed to enter the players’ lounge. In fact, I wasn’t even in the team photo. Kit people were never really a full part of the squad at the time. Nowadays it’s different.”

She described her emotional journey from feeling like a supporter on the bench during losses to eventually seeing players as colleagues: “My experience was different in the early years. Back then, I sometimes really sat on the bench like a supporter. Then I was eating myself up if we didn’t play a good game. That took about 15 years. Nowadays it’s different: players are now just my colleagues.”

The tribute was part of Whittie’s farewell as she prepares for retirement. Players similarly showed their appreciation by wearing shirts with the message “Carla, thank you” during the match, which ended in a 0-0 draw but was overshadowed by the pre-game ceremony.

Go Ahead Eagles, founded in 1902, play in the Eredivisie, the top tier of Dutch football. The club, based in Deventer in the province of Overijssel, achieved promotion to the Eredivisie in the 2020-21 season and currently holds the KNVB Cup title after winning it for the first time in their history last season.

As Whittie looks toward retirement after 28 years of service, the tifo display stands as a lasting testament to her impact on the club and the deep connection she has forged with everyone associated with Go Ahead Eagles over nearly three decades.

The next confirmed checkpoint for Go Ahead Eagles is their upcoming Eredivisie fixture, with the club continuing their 2025-26 season campaign.

What are your thoughts on this touching tribute to Carla Whittie? Share your views in the comments below and help spread the word about this remarkable story of dedication and appreciation in football.