• Football
  • Boxing
  • UFC
  • Home
  • Football
    • England
    • Transfer News
    • Premier League
    • Champions League
    • Lionel Messi
    • Cristiano Ronaldo
    • EA FC 25
    • Wrexham
  • Boxing
    • Tyson Fury
    • Anthony Joshua
    • Oleksandr Usyk
    • Mike Tyson
    • Jake Paul
    • Logan Paul
  • UFC
    • Dana White
    • Conor McGregor
    • Khabib Nurmagomedov
    • Jon Jones
    • Paddy Pimblett
    • Joe Rogan
  • Other Sport
    • Athletics
    • Formula 1
    • MMA
    • Motorsport
    • NBA
    • Darts
    • NFL
    • Snooker
    • Wrestling
    • Tennis
    • Cricket
    • Golf
  • Advertise
  • Terms
  • Privacy & Cookies
  • LADbible Group
  • LADbible
  • UNILAD
  • GAMINGbible
  • Tyla
  • UNILAD Tech
  • FOODbible
  • License Our Content
  • About Us & Contact
  • Jobs
  • Latest
  • Topics A-Z
  • Authors
Facebook
Instagram
X
Threads
Snapchat
TikTok
YouTube
The Heartwarming Moment Excelsior's Devin Plank Receives Guard Of Honour Vs Ajax In First Game Back After Cancer Diagnosis

Home> Football

Updated 11:48 22 Jan 2022 GMTPublished 11:47 22 Jan 2022 GMT

The Heartwarming Moment Excelsior's Devin Plank Receives Guard Of Honour Vs Ajax In First Game Back After Cancer Diagnosis

20-year-old Devin Plank, who was diagnosed with a malignant tumour, made his return to action in a wonderful moment.

Josh Lawless

Josh Lawless

Excelsior youngster Devin Plank was given a guard of honour vs Ajax after taking to the pitch for the first time since being diagnosed with cancer.

Around a year ago, the 20-year-old was given the dreadful news that he had developed a cancerous tumour in his fibula.

Plank had initially gone to hospital after experiencing pains in his leg but it turned out to be much worse.

It caused him to spend time on the sidelines and undergo chemotherapy. But on Thursday, Plank played his first minutes since October when he returned in the KNVB cup clash.

According to the Daily Mail, doctors had instructed him to play no more than two minutes for Excelsior so his ongoing recovery was not impacted.

As a result, he entered the fray in the 89th minute and was welcomed onto the pitch by all 22 players.

Ajax and Excelsior both formed a guard of honour and applauded the striker, who then embraced his teammates in heartwarming scenes.

Ajax were winning 9-0 against the third-tier outfit at the time but Plank was afforded a wonderful return to action - even if it was for just a couple of minutes.

You could see his beaming smile as he trotted onto the pitch and afterwards he described it as "the best moment of his life".


"I am very happy to have returned to the pitch, even though it was a short time," Plank told ESPN.

"It was an unforgettable moment We had already made four changes and I thought I was not going to come on. Fortunately, the coach did not forget me. I'm working every day to come back.

"I hope to have many minutes again as soon as possible."

Featured Image Credit: Image: ESPN

Topics: Ajax, Eredivisie, Netherlands

Josh Lawless
Josh Lawless

Josh is a sports journalist who specialises in football and WWE. He has been published by Curzon Ashton FC, Late Tackle, Manchester City FC, The Mirror, Read Man City and Manchester Evening News. He provides coverage of professional wrestling and has covered two WrestleMania events for SPORTbible.

X

@joshlawless_

Choose your content:

10 mins ago
17 mins ago
an hour ago
  • Getty
    10 mins ago

    Nuno Espirito Santo Tipped for Sensational Return to Premier League

    Nuno was sacked by Nottingham Forest despite an impressive season and could soon have a fourth Premier League club

    Football
  • Sky Sports
    17 mins ago

    Man Utd Fans Spot Guardiola’s Telling Reaction to Mainoo Moment

    Manchester City recorded a much-needed win over Manchester United on Sunday.

    Football
  • Getty
    an hour ago

    Man Utd 'Make Decision' on Sacking Ruben Amorim After Derby Defeat

    Manchester United were thrashed 3-0 by Man City on Sunday

    Football
  • Mark Leech/Offside / Contributor via Getty
    an hour ago

    Alejandro Garnacho Breaks Silence after Costly Error on Chelsea Debut

    The young Argentine winger made a huge mistake in Chelsea's 2-2 draw.

    Football