Asian League

Full name : Al-Ahli
Nickname(s) : The Red knights
Founded : 1970
Ground : Rashed Stadium, Dubai, United Arab Emirates(Capacity: 18,000)
League : UAE League

Al Ahli Football Club (Arabic: الأهلي‎) is a United Arab Emirates professional football (soccer) club. They are based in Dubai.

Al Ahli is one of the most successful clubs in the UAE. Al Ahli, literally translating to "national" in Arabic was established in 1970, three local teams joined together to form the club. The club won three UAE League titles in the '70s and again won its fourth in 2006.


History

Establishment

The club was established in 1970, two local football teams Al Wehdah and Al Shabab (est.1962) joined together, and then four years later another local team Al Najah joined to form Al Ahli Club.

1973-1980: The golden age

It took Al Ahli only four years after its establishment to win the UAE league twice consecutively in 1975 and 1976 then again in 1980. Drawing home-town fans, Al Ahli has been and continues to be one of the most popular sports teams in the UAE. However,Al Ahli club have suffered a lot in the last decades,and they went back to the second division when they played against Al shabab which alahli was willing just for a point from the match to stay in the 1 division. Al ahli has lost the match and Al Shabab has won the league. After a period of decline, Al Ahli went back on top winning its fourth league title in 2006 but through all these years Al Ahli continued to be a successful club in the UAE by winning 6 Emir Cups.

Al Ahli Castle

They are also known as Al Ahli Castle because of its involvement in other professional sports. The club competes in basketball, volleyball, handball, track sport, table tennis and track cycling. Al Ahli is also known for its involvement in cultural activities and community services. Al Ahli Drama club established in 1981, to promote Emirati plays focusing on UAE tradition, heritage and current events.

Crest and Nickname

The original Al Ahli logo reflected a falcon on top of football and the words "Al Ahli Club" written horizontally. After rebranding themselves to Red Knights in 2006, the logo changed to a horse head shape with the letters A C (Al Ahli Club) on top. The new logo represents strength and high spirits also it goes along with the new nickname Red Knights instead of the old nickname the Red Devils.