Reporter caught college supporters' and camp followers (7)

I believe the answer is:

cortege

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'followers' is the definition.
The definition and answer can be both groups as well as being singular nouns.
Maybe there's an association between them I don't understand?

I don't understand how the rest of the clue works.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for cortege that I've seen before include "train" , "Entourage, retinue" , "Solemn funeral procession" , "Processing figures" .)

I've seen this clue in the Sydney Morning Herald.

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