Why is CSKA called “horses” and its fans “horses”?

Many football fans are interested in the question: why CSKA is called “horses”, and its fans - “horses”? But really, why? You will find the answer to this question in the article.

Historical excursion

Why is CSKA called “horses”? Before answering this question, let's take a look at history. The year of the founding of the capital CSKA - one of the oldest and most titled Russian football clubs - is 1911. Back in the days of the Russian Empire, the footballers of the “Society of Skiing Lovers” on the same August 27 took part in their first official match. With a crushing score of 6: 2, the Vega football club was beaten. Subsequently, the team was renamed several times in its history. In 1960, the football club received its final name - CSKA, which has not changed to this day.

Around the world, football teams have received various nicknames. This tradition originated a long time ago and has been preserved to this day. Any insignificant fact was enough for the origin of the nickname. There are several tales about where the nickname “horses” came from in Moscow CSKA.

Main version

Why is CSKA called “horses”? According to the main version of the origin, the nickname was assigned to the team after moving in 1974 to the new football arena - Sand. Surely, the experienced fans remember that before the construction of the stadium, stables were in its place for quite some time. These premises for keeping horses, due to their long history and popularity, have served as the reason for the place to become associated with mounts among the inhabitants of the capital. That is why, as a result of the change of residence in 1974, when CSKA football players held their first official match at the new stadium against Kazakhstan's Kairat, the capital’s team was nicknamed “horses”, and the football arena - “stables”. And now it becomes clear why CSKA fans are called “horses”.

The fights at the Peschanoye stadium were held only during the day, because it lacked proper lighting due to the proximity to the airfield. The installation of lighting masts would prevent aircraft from landing and taking off onto the runway.

Other name origin stories

Why is CSKA called “horses”? If you believe one of the versions, which is also associated with horses, in 1920 the then “army men" played football at the place where the cuirassier regiment’s arena was located earlier. According to another story, the nickname “horses” was attached to the team for the reason that the community “Universal training pilot site”, in addition to training football players, was involved in horses.

Another interpretation appeared recently and is connected with the manner of behavior on the field, which the players of the capital club began to profess from the end of the 90s. Their actions did not differ in technique, but they showed an athletic and power game. As you know, a horse is a hardy animal, which is difficult to compete with in running.

The Swedish forward of the army club Carlos Strandberg also told his version of the origin of the name “horses” from the team. According to the legionnaire, CSKA football players play at the machine level and show excellent results, win victories in fights and championships, as a result of which they are awarded various titles and awards.

Horse as an official symbol

The founders of the tradition to come up with nicknames for the teams were initially the players themselves. Subsequently, the fans seized the initiative, trying in every possible way to offend the rival team and its fans.

Why are CSKA fans called “horses”? Does this offend them? Fans of the army football club are absolutely not offended by the fact that they are called that. It is no coincidence that the leadership of CSKA on numerous requests in December 2008 approved a noble animal as the official symbol of the capital's team. Before the start of each match, Red-Blue fans launch beautiful inflatable horses into the sky.