Just over a year has passed since entrepreneur Ali Alhamad took control of Salisbury FC, and throughout that period he has been nurturing a rather extraordinary ambition: to transport his non‑league side to his native Kuwait for a special overseas experience. The vision, once merely a day‑dream, is now on the brink of becoming reality. From Sunday, 27 September, through Thursday, 1 October, the Whites will abandon the cool, autumn evenings of Wiltshire and swap them for the scorching heat of the Arabian Gulf, where daytime temperatures are expected to climb into the high thirties Celsius. During that week the team, under the guidance of manager Brian Dutton, will line up against Al Qadsia – the most decorated club in Kuwaiti football history, boasting 17 Premier League titles – at the 22,000‑seat Mohammed Al‑Hamad Stadium.
Al Qadsia’s roster includes Bader Al‑Mutawa, a legendary Kuwaiti striker who ranks joint‑third on the list of most‑capped international players worldwide, trailing only Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi. The prospect of facing such a high‑profile opponent has added an extra layer of excitement for Alhamad, who told Sky Sports, “Something different is our middle name.
I’m buzzing and I’ve been losing sleep thinking about it.” The groundwork for the trip began with a series of open trials held in the summer. More than 450 hopefuls from Kuwait turned up, eager for a chance to showcase their talent.
Over four days the Salisbury coaching staff selected the three most promising prospects, rewarding them with an all‑expenses‑paid visit to Salisbury where they would train with the first team for ten days. The trials were a massive success and revealed a strong appetite for English football among Kuwaitis. Alhamad realised that the club’s non‑league status was irrelevant; the quality of the game and the narrative of an underdog team venturing abroad resonated deeply.
“I felt the friendly would just elevate Salisbury’s name in Kuwait and help all the parties,” Alhamad explained. “The team will get to play in a different setting, a different country, against a different team, experience a different culture, different food and be our guest so they can see what it is to go to the Middle East instead of just seeing it on the news.” When he first floated the idea to the squad, Alhamad was unsure how it would be received.
Within thirty minutes, however, he had received 18 copies of players’ passports – every member of the travelling party was on board. The only absentee will be Jaiden Bartholo, who has been called up for international duty with Gibraltar. The itinerary is packed with both football and cultural immersion.
After arriving in Kuwait, the players will be greeted by a crowd of supporters decked out in Salisbury colours, a welcome Alhamad expects will be “massive”. Local restaurants, eager to showcase their hospitality, will provide complimentary lunches and dinners throughout the stay. In the mornings, the squad will visit schools and universities, sharing their experiences as professional athletes and emphasizing the dedication required to succeed in the sport – a message that resonates on both sides of the Gulf.
The first day’s schedule includes a private VIP tour of the Scientific Centre, followed by a visit to the traditional souq where the players will don Kuwaiti thobes and headpieces before enjoying a dinner at Al‑Mubarakiya, the historic central market. The following day offers a more relaxed pace, culminating in the official launch of the new Salisbury Academy in Kuwait – a cornerstone of Alhamad’s long‑term strategy.
Training sessions are slated for Tuesday, leading up to the friendly match against Al Qadsia at 6:30 pm. After the game, the team will dine together before preparing for the return flight on Thursday morning. Back in England, they will have a recovery day on Friday and then face Dulwich Hamlet on Saturday, ensuring the overseas adventure does not disrupt their domestic commitments. Alhamad is particularly enthusiastic about the academy, describing it as the “brand we’re building here that helps the club become sustainable”.
He argues that relying solely on traditional revenue streams such as gate receipts and local sponsorships would be a losing battle for a non‑league side. Instead, by expanding the club’s global footprint, attracting youth subscriptions abroad, and developing talent that could eventually play for Salisbury, the organization can forge a more resilient financial model.
Beyond the business rationale, Alhamad stresses the personal value of the trip for his players and staff. “We have a responsibility as club owners to give our players experiences that broaden their horizons,” he said.
“It’s not just a one‑year contract, go play, then move on. We want this experience to stick with them, to help them grow as individuals and understand how big the world is.
These small lessons over a few days will shape them as men.” In summary, the upcoming Kuwait expedition represents a bold blend of sport, culture, and strategic vision. It offers Salisbury FC an unprecedented platform to showcase its brand, engage with a new fanbase, and lay the foundations for a sustainable future while providing its squad with memories that will last a lifetime. Play Super 6 for a chance to win £1m! Enter for free.