Cardboard cut-out of greyhound at U's game turns dog into star

Greyhound Cilla has become an overnight star after appearing as a cardboard cut-out at a football game.

U’s fans Kate Priest and her husband, Simon are diehard supporters and paid £25 for Cilla, three, to become a cardboard fans for the behind closed doors play off match between Colchester United and Exeter.

As fans were not allowed into the stadium to support the U’s due to the coronavirus pandemic, they were invited to have pictorial representations in their place.

Kate and Simon, who have supported Colchester United for more than 35 years, sent in Cilla’s picture to help raise money for the club, but couldn’t have imagined what happened next.

Kate, who is a teacher, said: “The cardboard cut-outs cost £25 but the club needs the money and we wanted to do our bit to support them.

“We made one of each of us - myself, my husband, Simon, and my three children, Bob, Jess and Ella, then we joked and said let’s make one of Cilla too.

“She did a lovely, smiley pose and that was that, picture sent and we didn’t really think any more of it.

“We sat nervously watching, when the camera suddenly zoomed in on Cilla’s cardboard cut-out in the crowd.

“We couldn’t believe it and felt really excited, but could not have imagined what was about to happen next.

“Our phones kept beeping with messages from people who had spotted her, then friends and family sending screenshots of her face on social media sites Twitter, Instagram and Facebook.

“She had become an instant hit and fans’ forums were full of talk about Cilla the cardboard dog at the Colchester United game.

Kate and Simon, who live in Purleigh, got Cilla from Clark’s Farm greyhound rescue centre in Maldon.

Now she has her own Instagram account cillathecardboarddog and received 1,754 likes on a picture after the game.

After Colchester won the game, Kate and Simon hoped Cilla might be a lucky mascot and ordered another cut out for the second leg.

Colchester midfielder Harry Pell escorted the cut-out down to Exeter and tweeted a picture of his roommate for the night.

Kate said: “On the Monday, the day of the second leg of the play-offs, I had a call from the BBC asking if they could do a live link up during the match.

• Battle - Colchester’s Harry Pell wins a header in the play-off match against Exeter City at the Community Stadium. Picture: Richard Blaxall

“So, not only were we very nervous for the match, we were also then incredibly nervous to be appearing on live BBC television.

“Cilla took a while to get up and be seen in front of the camera. She is lazy and hasn’t appeared at all bothered by all the fuss and attention she has received.

“Her picture has reached and been retweeted as far as Australia, Brazil and the Philippines.”

The cardboard cut out is now being looked after by U’s star Harry Pell’s daughter who will take care of her until the new season begins and she can go back in the stand.