Al-Ittihad (Jeddah)
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| Full name | Ittihad club - نادي الاتحاد | ||
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| Nickname(s) | Itti , The senior (العميد) The Tigers (النمور) |
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| Founded | 1927 | ||
| Ground | Prince Abdullah al-Faisal stadium Jeddah, Hijaz, Saudi Arabia. (Capacity: 27000) |
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| Chairman |  Jamal Abuemarh |
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| Head Coach |  Gabriel Calderón |
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| League | Saudi Premier League | ||
| 2008-09 | Saudi Premier League, 1st | ||
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Al-Ittihad (Arabic: الاتحاد) or Ittihad Jeddah (abbr. ITTI) is a Saudi Arabian sports club based in the Red Sea port city of Jeddah. Officially formed in 1927, it is the oldest surviving club in Saudi Arabia, and one of the most popular and successful.
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[edit] History
In 1927 a group of young men from Jeddah decided to hold a meeting to discuss the establishment of local Jeddah football (soccer) club. The attendees were Hamza Fitaihi "actual founder", Abdulsamad Najeeb Alsaady, Ismail Zahran, Ali Yamani, Abduazeez Jameel, Abdulateef Jameel, Othman Banajah and Ahmad Abu Talib. Ali Sultan and Ahmed Almir.
The name was coined by AbdulAziz Jameel who was quoted as saying: "Since we're gathered here united, let's call it United (Ittihad)". The late Ali Sultan was named as the club's first president, and it is worth to mention that Hasan Fitaihi was the first known fund contributor to the club.
In 1929 Ittihad played their first game, against rivals al-Riyadhi. After winning 3-0, Ittihad was given the seniority of Jeddan clubs. al-Riyadhi disbanded soon afterwards, leaving Ittihad as the only surviving club from the early days.
By the 1930s many clubs were formed, and challenge tournaments were regularly held, often sponsored by local businessmen. In 1937, Ittihad played their first game against eternal rival, al-Ahli (which ended in a draw). Football continued to be played on an unofficial basis until 1957 when the Saudi Football Federation was formed, and football clubs officially recognised. The first official tournament was held in that year, the King's cup, which was the premier competition until the formation of the national league in 1975. Ittihad didn't win the inaugural tournament, but did win it the next year, making it the first official trophy that Ittihad won.
In the mid seventies, the large oil boom allowed the Saudi government to lavish on sport. The General Presidency of youth welfare was formed, and existing football clubs were put under its control and turned into multi-sport clubs. al-Ittihad (as well as all other clubs) was transformed to the modern club that it is today.
in 1966,Ittihad won rival Al-ahly with a huge score,8-2. It was a match that will never leave the memory of Al-ahly fans .Saeed Gurab , one of the best players ever in Saudi fotball history , scored 6 goals in that match .
There are other matches that Ittihad made black marks in Al-ahly history , like in 1959 when Ittihad won Al-ahly 7-0 , a match that will never be forgotten . the goals where scored by Sayed Mostafa (3) , Omar Rajkahn , Abdulmajeed Rajkahn , Gazi Nasser , Abdulrazag Bakr .
Also another match Between the two Jeddah clubs in 1950 , where Ittihad player Abdulhafeeth Mergni , scored an overwhelming goal , whitch caused Al-ahly players to forfet the match and never complete it . The match was for prizes from prince Abdulla Al Faysal .
[edit] Today
Today, Ittihad is one of the best teams in Saudi Arabia and one of the best teams in Asia. It is hugely successful not just in football, but in basketball, water polo, table tennis, volleyball, and swimming, amongst others. In all, Ittihad has won 661 trophies. However, football remains the primary sport.
Ittihad is now based in Sahafa street, Mushrefa district, in east Jeddah, where they have a large sports complex. Senior teams play official games at the municipal sports centre, in the south of the city, while youth teams play at the club.
The club is renowned throughout the region for its fans. They are particularly famous for their loyalty and chants, which are copied by many others. The head of the Ittihad fan club, Saleh al-Qarni, even records studio versions of the year's chants which are widely sold in Jeddah and beyond.
In December 2006, the club offered what was thought to be the most lucrative deal in Arabian football to Portuguese midfielder Luís Figo. It was said that Luís Figo will join the club on July 1st 2007 after his current contract with Inter Milan expires. However, not long after, Figo's current club, Internazionale released report that Figo had yet to sign a contract with Al-Ittihad and will not be joining. Figo has since extended his contract at Internazionale till the end of the 2007-2008 season citing that the terms of the agreement were not kept and thus voided the contract.
[edit] Sponsorship
[edit] Official sponsor
In a press conference on January 9, 2006. President of the club Mansour Albalawi announced that SELA SPORT Co (which is the sponsor of Saudi National Team) will pay 350 millions SAR to sponsor AL-ITTIHAD CLUB for 5 seasons.
[edit] Kit providers
[edit] Current first team squad
- As of April, 2009
| ITTIHAD usual starting lineup for 2007–08 season. |
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[edit] Notable former players
- see also Cat:Al-Ittihad (Jeddah) players
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[edit] Presidents
[edit] Captains
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[edit] Coaches History
- see also Cat:Al-Ittihad (Jeddah) manager
[edit] Records
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Season Div. Pos. Pl. W D L GS GA GD P CC CPC PFC ARCL ACL Manager 2000/01 SPL 4 22 10 5 7 32 23 +9 35 2001/02 SPL 2 22 15 4 3 59 25 +34 49 2002/03 SPL 1 22 15 4 3 53 24 +29 49 2003/04 SPL 1 22 17 5 0 57 15 +42 56 Winner 2004/05 SPL 3 22 11 5 6 53 37 +16 38 Winner Winner 2005/06 SPL 3 22 11 9 2 47 28 +19 42 2006/07 SPL 1 22 15 3 4 52 25 +27 48 2007/08 SPL 2 22 14 6 2 40 16 +24 48 Calderón2008/09 SPL 1 22 17 4 1 57 21 +36 55 Runner-up Quarter-Final Semi-final Calderón
Last updated: 4 June 2009
Div. = Division;SPL = Saudi Premier League; Pos. = Position; Pl = Match played; W = Win; D = Draw; L = Lost
GS = Goal Scored; GA = Goal Against; GD = Goal difference P = Points
CC = Champions Cup; CPC = Crown Prince Cup; PFC = Prince Faisal Cup
ARCL = Arab Champions League; ACL = AFC Champions League
Colors: Gold = winner; Silver = runner-up.
[edit] Club honours (football)
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- 1982, 1997, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2003, 2007, 2009
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- 1958, 1959, 1960, 1963, 1967, 1988
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- 1958, 1959, 1963, 1991, 1997, 2001, 2004
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- 1986, 1997, 1999
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- 1964-1987-1990-1991-1994-1995
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- 2004 6-3 vs.
Seongnam Ilhwa Chunma - 2005 5-3 vs.
Al-Ain
- 2004 6-3 vs.
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- 1999 3-2 vs. Chunnam Dragons
- 1999 3-2 vs.
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- 2005 4-1 vs.
CS Sfaxien
- 2005 4-1 vs.
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- King of Saudi Arabia Cup (1) : 2003
- President of Egypt Cup (1) : 2001
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- 1999
[edit] Contact Al-Ittihad
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- Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
- 21432 P.O. Box 5945
- Tel : +966 (2) 6728888
- Fax : +966 (2) 6720112 / 6715184
[edit] External links
- Official Website in Arabic
- Official website
- Al Ittihad at the AFC Official website
- Al Ittihad at the AFC Champions League Official website
- League of the Ittihad Club Fans on the Internet
- Alittihad in Languages (English - Francais - German - Italian)
- Al Ittihad at the Arab Champions League Official website : Arabic - English - Francais
| Achievements | ||
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| Preceded by Al-Ain |
Champions of Asia 2004 |
Succeeded by Holders |
| Preceded by Holders |
Champions of Asia 2005 |
Succeeded by Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors |
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