An animal, which occasionally appears on TV programmes in various roles, is way more popular then the men representing FC Koln, one of the well established clubs in the top flight German Bundesliga.
As unusual as it may sound but Koln FC has a goat lovingly referred to as Hennes VIII, as its famous mascot and he makes the odd TV appearances when he is not being paraded around the stadium.
Goals make them go crazy and the sight of Hennes the Goat on the giant screen at Rhein Energie Stadion also encourages the fans to do the Mexican Waves.
The eight-year-old celebrated his last birthday a few months ago.
“He has been the mascot for some years. Fans, players, administrators love him very much. Before him there was Hennes VII who was also liked. It all started in 1953,” a team official said.
Besides the fans, the players representing the fifth largest club in Germany love him as much. Prolific Nigerian striker Anthony Ujah once got so excited after scoring a goal that he pulled him by his horns as a way of celebration, which was seen by many fans as akin to manhandling the animal.
As damage control, Ujah posted a series of posts and pictures on instagram, apologising to Hennes VIII after realising that the animal is more loved than the man. It’s no surprise fans got worried after seeing Ujah manhandling the legend.
He can sometimes give a mean stare but the Koln fans love him nonetheless.
FC Koln’s commercial arm loves him too, as Hennes VIII’s image is not only on the club’s emblem and merchandise but also in the books and the official match-day magazine.
Like Hennes VIII, the fans loved his predecessors as much. As is the tradition, Hennes VIII was paraded around the stadium before the match against Hamburger FC which let go of a one-goal cushion to lose to the hosts on a sunny Saturday evening. — PTI
