Full Name: Associazione Calcio Chievo Verona City: Verona Founded: 1929 Stadium: Stadio Marc'Antonio Bentegodi (42,160) Colors: Blue, Yellow Previous: Opera Nazionale Dopolavoro Chievo (1929-35), AC Chievo (1948-59, 74-80, 85-89), Cardi Chievo (1959-74), Paluani Chievo (1980-85) Nicknames: Gialloblu (The Yellow and Blue), Mussi Volanti (The Flying Donkeys), Ceo Rival: Verona
Description:
Chievo is a small suburb of Verona. They are technically the smallest city to ever have a club in Serie A, although in reality they draw support from across the whole of Verona. The club was founded as a part of a Fascist worker's syndicate called the OND - the national after-work organization. The club disappeared from 1935-48. Cardi was the team sponsor from 1959-74, Paluani was the team sponsor from 1980-85 (and still is but is no longer part of the name). The club is a real rags-to-riches success story, starting from the very bottom of the Italian football pyramid and gradually climbing their way to the pinnacle of Serie A. The Mussi Volanti nickname was previously used as an insult by rival Verona fans, who claimed the horseman on the club's crest was really a donkey and that Chievo would reach Serie A 'when donkeys fly'. The nickname has now been embraced with pride by the club's supporters. Ceo is Chievo in the Veronese dialect. Yellow and Blue are the traditional colors of the city of Verona. Backed by the Paluani bakery firm.
Chievo logo:
The horseman on the Chievo logo represents Cangrande I della Scala, a 14th century nobleman from Verona. He is famous for being the patron of Dante Alighieri. Chievo's foundation date of 1929 is also featured at the bottom.
Stadio Marc'Antonio Bentegodi:
The stadium is named for a 19th century Veronese politician and major backer of sports in the city.