Fans, players and staff came together to bid a fond farewell to Ashleigh Neville after Sunday’s 1-0 Women’s Super League win over Leicester City at Brisbane Road.
The long-serving full-back left us for the Foxes earlier this month after almost nine years of service and found herself in the unusual position of playing against us in her first game for her new club.
We emerged victorious on the day to start the New Year with three well-earned points, but after the game there was an opportunity for everyone at the club to acknowledge the 32-year-old for her tremendous service to our cause.
Huge numbers of fans stayed behind in the stands as players and staff formed a guard of honour, with club captain Bethany England, Head Coach Martin Ho and Director of Football Administration and Governance Rebecca Caplehorn presenting Ash with gifts including a giant commemorative frame detailing her Spurs journey, a shirt signed by the squad and flowers.
In a classy gesture, Leicester City’s players and staff remained on the pitch to salute their new recruit as well, with Ash subsequently joined by her family and some of our former players for an emotionally-charged group photograph with our squad and support staff to round off the day.
We’re set to host Leicester City again this coming Sunday, this time in the Women’s FA Cup.