Clubul Sportiv Tunari, commonly known as CS Tunari, or simply as Tunari, is a Romanianfootballclub based in Tunari, Ilfov County, currently competes in Liga III, the third tier of the Romanian football. Founded in 1980, the club situated near Bucharest, was re-branded as CS Tunari in 2004.
CS Tunari was founded in 1980 under the name of Arsenal Tunari, the name change occurring in 2004, when they were forced to give up the "Arsenal" name because of copyright.[1] During the same period, a new stadium was constructed in the commune near Bucharest and Tunari obtained a place in the third tier in 2009,[2] since then being a constant presence at this level, registering the following rankings: 9th, coached by Ion Ion (2009–10), 7th (2010–11) and 10th (2011–12) with Virgil Nițoi in charge,[3] 13th (2012–13), 8th (2013–14), 4th (2014–15), 12th (2015–16), 3rd (2016–17), 7th (2017–18), 6th (2018–19), 4th (2019-20), 5th (2020-21) and 2nd (2021-22).
Tunari means "Gunners" in Romanian, and the commune has on its coat of arms a cannon, fact that brought the original name, a tribute to English football club Arsenal F.C. and the nickname "The Gunners". In 2018 the club changed its logo and colors choosing a white and red combination instead of red and blue, also adding on the logo the name "Arsenal", but without changing the club name. In 2009, in an interview granted to sport.ro, Lucian Costache, chairman of the club reported how in 1996, when the club was still named Arsenal Tunari, they sent a letter to the English club asking for some original kits, but no answer was ever received.[4]
In June 2023 it promoted for the very first time in its history to the Liga II.
CS Tunari plays its home matches on the Comunal Stadium in Tunari, with a capacity of 1,000 seats. The stadium was renovated and expanded in 2004 for the sum of 400,000 lei, at that time approximately 84,000 €.[1] In 2017 the stadium was renovated again and the pitch was changed.[5]
^"Revelația CS Tunari se pregătește la Ciuta" [Revelation CS Tunari is prepared at Ciuta] (in Romanian). liga2.prosport.ro. 9 February 2010. Archived from the original on 31 August 2024. Retrieved 31 August 2024.
^"Nițoi a preluat Tunariul!" [Nițoi took over Tunari!] (in Romanian). liga2.prosport.ro. 6 July 2010. Archived from the original on 31 August 2024. Retrieved 31 August 2024.