About

Al-Gharafa Sports Club is rooted in the Al Gharrafa district and remains a recognised name in top‑flight Qatari football, established on 6 June 1979, and represented here with curated signed shirts available via Walkouts. The club’s story is straightforward: local founders, a rapid incorporation into Qatari football governance, and a name change that tied the team more closely to its neighbourhood.

The side began life as Al‑Ittihad before official registration on 23 September 1979. Founders include Sheikh Mohammed bin Jassim Al‑Thani, Sheikh Hamad bin Jassim Al‑Thani, Sheikh Hamad bin Faisal Al‑Thani, Sheikh Ali bin Abdullah Al‑Thani and Saad Mohammed Al‑Rumaihi, the latter credited in an Al Kass sports channel documentary with proposing the original idea while at Al Raya newspaper. The 2004 renaming to Al‑Gharafa reflected a local identity shift that collectors often link to special kit issues and commemorative merchandising runs.

Collector interest in Al‑Gharafa shirts sits at the intersection of provenance and local narrative. Anniversary releases tied to milestone years, short production runs sold through club outlets, and player issue variants have driven demand among regional collectors. Early retail issues from club shops and limited reissues around the renaming remain desirable because they connect directly to the club’s community story and the personalities who founded it.

Fans chase shirts from particular seasons and events because those garments carry match provenance and narrative weight. In the absence of a single globally famous final, domestic cup ties, decisive league fixtures and early post‑founding campaigns are the magnets for collectors, especially shirts associated with influential club figures and the moments that local media documented closely.

One consistently noted collectible is the club’s distinctive away kit runs from the early 2000s, often described as yellow with blue trim in supporter accounts, which are linked to important away results in domestic cup and cup‑tie contexts. Signed retail shirts issued through the club shop and local outlets frequently arrive with a provenance cue; collectors value a clear verification step such as a COA that accompanies a signature or framed shirt, especially for early runs and player‑issue variants.

For shoppers and collectors the practical appeal is simple: retail shirts bearing player signatures, limited club shop releases and pieces associated with the club’s formative years carry story as well as signature. The club’s early incorporation and later rebranding mean items from the 1979-80 season and the 2004 renaming period are repeatedly cited in provenance notes and fan inventories, and they frame why particular shirts appear at auction or in private sales. Walkouts lists authenticated items with clear provenance language to help match collectors to those seasons and matches.

Honours

Al-Gharafa Sports Club has long been a fixture of Qatar’s elite football, contesting the nation’s top flight, the Stars League, and taking part in domestic cup competitions since its establishment. Founded in 1979, the club has steadily built competitive squads that reflect the footballing depth of Doha and the Al Gharrafa district. While specific title counts are not listed here, Al-Gharafa’s presence in the national league structure and regular participation in knockout tournaments underline a sustained ambition to challenge at the sharp end of Qatari football.

The club’s competitive footprint has also extended beyond the domestic scene, with campaigns that brought valuable experience against regional opposition in continental play. Those journeys, alongside consistent league involvement, have helped define the team’s identity and expectations. From the adoption of the Al-Gharafa name in 2004 to today’s continued participation in the Stars League, the focus has remained on maintaining a strong core, developing talent, and performing with consistency against rivals across Qatar.

Legends & Leadership

Mohammed Gholam, Ibrahim Al-Ghanim embodied the club’s early competitive grit, with Gholam standing out as a legend player from the 1990s and Al-Ghanim emerging in the late 1990s. Their leadership and resilience set standards for the dressing room, giving the team a dependable spine during formative league campaigns and shaping expectations for the squads that followed.

Clemerson, Juninho Pernambucano lifted Al-Gharafa’s attacking tempo as recent key players of the late 2000s, combining high-quality technique with decisive contributions in Doha’s top flight. Their influence helped the side impose itself in pivotal league fixtures, bringing international experience and calm in critical moments.

Caio Júnior guided the team with a modern approach in the 2000s, melding overseas know-how with the squad’s strengths to keep performances aligned with the demands of the Stars League. His work on structure and transitions offered a clear blueprint for competitive consistency.

Sheikh Hamad bin Jassim Al-Thani was a founding leader in the late 1970s, championing the creation of the club and its early direction. His role in establishing the organisation laid the foundations for a professional setup that continues to represent the Al Gharrafa district on Qatar’s biggest stages.

Stadium

Al-Gharafa’s home identity is closely tied to the Thani bin Jassim Stadium, where league and cup fixtures bring the club’s Doha support together. The venue, recognised locally and nationally, offers clear sightlines and a compact footballing feel that accentuates noise when the team is on the front foot. On matchdays, the colours and chants of Al Fuhud, the Cheetahs, create a vibrant backdrop, with families and long-time followers sharing the stands in an inclusive atmosphere.

Local fixtures against fellow Doha sides often add a derby edge, with intensity rising as momentum swings through the game. The stadium’s location serves the Al Gharrafa district well, allowing visiting teams and home fans to access the ground efficiently. Whether it is a tight league encounter or a cup tie with extra-time drama, the Thani bin Jassim Stadium remains the stage on which Al-Gharafa’s character and community converge.

Capacity
21175

FAQ

Q: Where is Al-Gharafa Sports Club based? A: The club is based in the Al Gharrafa district of Al Rayyan municipality, with its football operations centred in Doha, Qatar, and it competes in the top tier, the Stars League.

Q: When was the club founded and has it ever changed its name? A: It was founded on 6 June 1979 as Al-Ittihad, entered the Qatar Football Association on 23 September that year, and adopted its current name in 2004 to reflect the Al-Gharrafa district.

Q: What is Al-Gharafa’s home ground? A: Home matches are played at the Thani bin Jassim Stadium, a recognised venue for domestic league fixtures and cup ties.

Q: How is memorabilia authenticity verified and do you ship internationally? A: Items are typically backed by a certificate or letter of authenticity from reputable providers, or equivalent verification. Free worldwide shipping.