Introducing KAA Gent: The Buffalos

Roots
KAA Gent (Koninklijke Atletiek Associatie Gent, meaning Royal Athletics Association Gent) have their roots in 1864, when Société Gymnastique la Gantoise (the French word meaning 'from Gent') were formed. In 1891 they merged with other clubs and became Association Athlétique La Gantoise, a multi-sport outfit that included athletics, boxing and cricket, to name a few. Only on 31 October 1900 did a local student who had formed a football team introduce them to soccer, meaning they turn 115 next month. They were among the first sides to register with the Royal Belgian Football Association (KBVB-URBSFA) and have the founding number seven.

Entering Europe
The club first entered the Belgian top division in 1913 and a year later were honoured with the royal seal, making their official title Association Royale Athlétique La Gantoise. After being relegated and promoted, Gent hit a first peak in the 1950s, coming second in 1955, while in 1964 they won their first Belgian Cup. The following campaign they were the first Belgian participants in the European Cup Winners' Cup, being knocked out in the first round 2-1 on aggregate by eventual victors West Ham United.

Fall and rise
In 1971 the club changed their name into the current Flemish KAA Gent yet were also relegated. Dropping into the third tier for a while, they were back among the elite in 1980, four years later lifting a second Belgian Cup. In 1991 under coach René Vandereycken they finished third, and the next season reached the UEFA Cup quarter-finals, losing to Ajax. In 2010, under Michel Preud'homme, Gent had another high, coming second in the league and picking up their third Belgian Cup. They were beaten in UEFA Champions League qualifying by Dynamo Kyiv but did compete in the UEFA Europa League group stage.

New stadium, first title
At the start of 2013/14 Gent left the Jules Ottenstadion after 93 years to play in the brand-new 20,000-seater Ghelamco Arena, Belgium's most modern stadium. In the summer of 2014 Hein Vanhaezebrouck became coach and though they were only second in the ensuing regular season, they overhauled Club Brugge in the championship play-offs to end their 115-year wait for a Belgian title.

Billed as 'Buffalos'
Gent play with a Native American on their crest, which also helps explain their nickname 'the Buffalos'. In the late 19th century William F Cody, aka Buffalo Bill, travelled to Gent with the famed Barnum & Bailey circus. In a show featuring buffalos and Native Americans on horses, the chant "Buffalo, Buffalo, Wild West Ra" was heard – and the students who had just formed their football team adopted this for their club.