Why do Koln have a goat as their mascot? What happens when Hennes dies?

Now on to their ninth

Posted Thursday, April 22, 2021 by Marca.com

Hennes VIIITwitter (@fckoeln)

Bundesliga club FC Koln this Wednesday mourned the loss of the eighth version of their goat mascot, Hennes VIII.

The German club famously have a real life goat as their mascot, not a person in a costume like most other teams, which is where their nickname comes from.

The billy goat is named Hennes and the current iteration is Hennes IX, but the question is - why do Koln have a goat mascot?

The tradition began in 1950, two years after the club's foundation, when a local circus director gifted the club a goat to bring them good fortune during carnival time.

The goat was named after player-manager Hennes Weisweiler and there has been a Hennes at Koln ever since.

Hennes I did indeed prove to be a lucky charm as the Billy Goats won the league title twice during his time, in 1962 and 1964.

Before every Koln match, Hennes, adorned in a red coat, takes to the field before watching the game from the touchline.

Hennes is also a regular sight at non-matchday events and youth games, a much-loved tradition and a local celebrity.

Hennes VIII served as club mascot from 2014 to 2019 and this Wednesday had to be put down for health reasons.

His successor, Hennes IX, lives at Cologne Zoo. He has been the new mascot since 2019, although last year the goat was prevented from carrying out the usual mascot duties due to COVID-19 regulations.