Club History
Four of the founders of Al-Ahli Club (from right to left): Abdulraouf Batterjee, Omar Shams, Hassan Shams, and Hassan Batterjee
Founders
Al-Ahli Club was founded in 1937, by a group of young men in the city of Jeddah: Hassan Shams, Abdulraouf Batterjee, Abduljalil Batterjee, Hassan Batterjee, Omar Shams, Mohammad Al-Sayegh, Omar Baqais, Ibrahim Nashar, Ibrahim Bakr, Ibrahim Zahran, Mohammad Tunisi, Ali Saber, and Hussein Saber. The club is located in the heart of the vibrant city of Jeddah, and is considered one of its largest sporting landmarks due to its strategic location on one of its most prominent streets—Prince Mohammed bin Abdulaziz Street (Al-Tahlia Street). The idea of establishing the club originated among a group of students at Al-Falah School. This marked the beginning of Al-Ahli's journey toward broader horizons, gradually advancing to the forefront until it became a giant and pioneering name, representing the nation successfully in various sports.
Legends
Al-Ahli Club established the first football academy in Saudi Arabia, and the Prince Abdullah Al-Faisal Youth Academy. Prince Abdullah Al-Faisal is considered the spiritual father and icon of the club due to his extensive development of the club’s various activities.
He played a major role in bringing the club to its current status, including bringing world-famous football figures of that era to represent Al-Ahli, such as the renowned coach Didi, the first Brazilian to coach a Saudi club, and his compatriot Telê Santana, who also coached the Brazilian national team.
Several legends wore Al-Ahli’s kit, including Diego Maradona, Pelé, and Johan Cruyff.
Diego Maradona played and scored twice for Al-Ahli in the Club’s 50th anniversary in a friendly match against Danish side Brøndby IF
Achievements
King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz awarded the Club with The Shield for Sports Excellence and the “Ambassador of the Nation” title in 2009
The Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz—may God have mercy on him—granted Al-Ahli the title of "Ambassador of the Nation" on July 3, 2009. The club was awarded the Shield for Sports Excellence in a historic ceremony when Prince Khaled bin Abdullah bin Abdulaziz, the head of the Honorary Members Council, along with the club’s honorary members, past presidents, club management, and players, were received at the King’s palace. This day remains unforgettable for sports enthusiasts in general and Al-Ahli fans in particular, as it was the greatest honor the club had ever received. This came after the club achieved a unique feat in the same year, winning four international championships and reaching global recognition through its first-handball team, which won the Asian Championship and the Gulf Cup, as well as its first football and volleyball teams, which also won the Gulf Championships in the same year.
From the Club’s Saudi Pro League celebrations in 2016
The first football team at the club, known for playing in its green and white colors, is the first ever team to have collected the prestigious treble of Saudi Pro League, King’s Cup, and Saudi Super Cup in one year (2016), the first official champion of the Crown Prince Cup, and the first to achieve the Saudi League and King’s Cup double.