Following their usual post-match tradition, Salisbury FC’s players and coaching team approached the supporters in the Andrews Terrace at The Ray Mac Stadium after Saturday’s 2-0 victory over Folkestone Invicta.
In addition to the customary cheers and applause, the team heard an unfamiliar chant from the crowd.
Supporters of the National League South side sang: “Kuwait away, ole, ole.”
The players responded enthusiastically, knowing they would be on their way to the Middle East less than 24 hours later.
Salisbury player Luke Russe says the entire squad immediately agreed to take part in the trip.
He describes it as a rare opportunity and says the players are extremely grateful to everyone who helped arrange it. Despite spending many years at this level of football, he has never experienced anything similar.
During the five-day visit, Salisbury will face Al Qadsia on Wednesday. The Kuwaiti club has collected more than 50 trophies and ranks among the country’s most successful teams. Salisbury will then return home on Thursday ahead of Saturday’s FA Cup third qualifying-round tie against Dulwich Hamlet.
The visit reflects Salisbury’s growing relationship with Kuwait through owner Ali Alhamad, who acquired the club in 2025.
Club officials believe the journey could create valuable commercial opportunities while allowing the players to encounter football in a different cultural setting.
The Mohammad Al-Hamad Stadium has a capacity of 22,000, making it more than five times larger than Salisbury’s home ground, The Ray Mac.
Russe says the team would naturally like to win, but believes the wider experience matters more, giving the entire club a chance to discover a different lifestyle and football environment.
He adds that Salisbury’s youthful squad will benefit greatly from learning about another culture and seeing how life and football differ abroad.
Russe believes the trip will be memorable for both the players and staff, while also helping strengthen the unity already present throughout the club.
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