FC Kuban is based in Krasnodar. It was founded in 1928. Currently, it is one of the country’s oldest clubs which traces back to the Dinamo football team under the aegis of the Krasnodar NKVD department (Eng. National Commissariat of Internal Affairs). The team belonged to numerous authorities throughout its history, so the name was changed many a time as well.
Kuban played in the Soviet top league for a short period of time in 1980-1982. The club played in the Russian top division in 1992, 2004, 2007, 2009 and, finally, since 2011.
Kuban footballers and supporters are called ‘Kubantsy’ or the ‘Yellow-Greens’ (rare – in accordance with the kit colors).
A major part of supporters uses the name ‘Cossacks’ to identify Kuban fans. They also have numerous non-official nicknames: ‘Canaries’ or ‘Toads’, etc. But these names are usually used by members of the opposing fan groups.
So far the team has failed to become a permanent member of the top division, so the definition ‘Elevator’ is often used with regard to this club: teams that have outgrown the first division but fail to be permanent members of the elite, Kuban being among them. However, last year the team was rather confident in the Premier League and the fact they made it to the top-8 after the first half-season testifies to the serious attitude.
Kuban celebrated its biggest ever victory (9-1) in 1946, in a USSR Class B championship game. As for Class A, in 1966 they demolished Shirak (Leninakan) 8-0. When in the second league, the team scored six goals without conceding themselves against Spartak (Orel) in 1972. Playing in the first league Kuban flattened Dnepr (Mogilev) 8-1 in 1983. Finally, their biggest victory in the Soviet top league championship dates back to 1981 when Ararat (Yerevan) was defeated 5-1. All in all, the team had 140 big score victories in various USSR championships.
As for the Soviet times, Alexander Ploshnik made most appearances for Kuban with 381 matches. He is also the best scorer in the team history with 158 championship and 8 cup goals. In 1977 Alexander Ploshnik scored 32 goals in 40 championship matches.
Kuban is a four-time RSFSR champion with the last title won in 1987. Their best result in the USSR top league championship is thirteenth place. In 1962 the team won the USSR Class В Championship. In 1979 the Krasnodar club finished second in the first league and got promoted to the elite.
The team finished eighth in the 2011/12 Russian Championship.
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