Thursday 7 November 2019 11:50, UK
The players' parade before the Swedish league match between AIK and Gefle was a bit different on Sunday as the Stockholm club replaced the usual child mascots with some of their oldest supporters.
At 86 years old, former UEFA president Lennart Johansson was the youngest of the 11 pensioners who led the AIK players on to the field at the Friends Arena after the club decided to honour their senior members.
"It's a lovely gesture," said 96-year-old Ake Jigstedt, the oldest one. "I've been a member since 1936 and I think this is something extra special."
The AIK chairman, Mikael Ahlerup, commented: "Our family section has for a long time been the biggest in Sweden and it is very important for us to get children and teenagers to the club but we can never forget about the generation that made this club to what it is. That's why this initiative felt like an obvious thing to do.
"A family should consist of both young and old and today we completed our family by inviting and celebrating the elders. I'm proud to be a part of such an inclusive club."
AIK beat Gefle 1-0 thanks to a late goal from Finnish striker Eero Markkanen, 71 years Jigstedt's junior at the age of 25. The win lifted them to third in the table.
