Amman — two seasons away and a long period of hardship and moving between different stadiums, Al-Salt football club is finally returning home, carrying a strong longing for a stadium it has been without for so long and a fan base that has been waiting to watch its team from nearby stands rather than at distant venues imposed by circumstances in recent years.
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“The Rhaib” is preparing to open the doors of its home stadium to fans on Oct. 22, when it hosts Al-Ramtha in a highly anticipated match in the sixth round of the Jordan Pro League. The game will officially mark Al-Salt’s return to its home ground after an absence that deprived the team of one of its biggest advantages: playing at home in front of its supporters.
The return to Al-Salt Stadium is more than simply returning to a venue for matches. It represents the restoration of an important part of the team’s identity, history and relationship with its fans, who have traditionally stood behind “The Rhaib” and provided an additional motivational boost, particularly when the stands come alive with chants and cheers.
Over the past two seasons, Al-Salt lost that advantage after being forced to play its matches at other stadiums, which clearly affected attendance. The team’s matches no longer attracted the level of support traditionally associated with Al-Salt fans, who had found their home stadium a convenient and accessible place to follow and support their team.
Perhaps what Al-Salt residents are looking forward to most is the return of the vibrant atmosphere in the stands. Fans no longer simply want to watch their team; they want to feel that it has returned to its natural home and that the stands have regained their role in supporting the players, particularly in matches requiring an extra dose of enthusiasm and confidence.
Al-Salt’s return to its home stadium also carries important financial benefits for the club. Hosting matches within the city allows more fans to reach the stadium, increasing attendance and, consequently, revenue, which represents an important source of support for the club’s finances at a time when teams are looking for additional resources to help meet their financial burdens.
Having the stadium close to fans also reduces the time and cost of traveling to other venues, which could encourage more people to attend matches and bring families and young fans back to the stands after distance and travel had become obstacles for some.
The Jordan Football Association had announced that Al-Salt Stadium would host seven matches from the fourth through the ninth rounds, including two matches in each of the fifth, sixth and seventh rounds and one match in the ninth round. This gives the stadium a renewed presence on the Pro League calendar and brings its stands back to life after a lengthy absence.
Al-Salt currently sits fourth in the Pro League standings with four points. The team opened its campaign with a 3-1 win over Al-Arabi, followed by a goalless draw with Al-Wehdat, before losing 2-0 to Duqra. The results show that the team is capable of competing, but still needs greater consistency and effectiveness to collect points.
National team coach Ashraf Ghazwan said Al-Salt’s return to its home stadium represents “an important boost for the team,” noting that playing in front of the fans provides players with significant motivation, particularly when the stadium is full.
Speaking to Al-Ghad, he added that Al-Salt had missed a very important advantage in recent years: playing at home in front of its supporters. Returning to the stadium could therefore represent a turning point, provided the team knows how to make the most of that advantage on the field.
“Al-Salt’s fans are known for their presence and support. Having them behind the team lifts the players’ morale and gives them additional energy, but in return, the players must respond to that support with their performances and results,” he said.
Observer Murad Khalifat described Al-Salt’s return to its home stadium as “a long-awaited moment,” noting that the relationship between fans and the stadium extends beyond football, as it is the place where supporters have traditionally celebrated their team’s victories and stood by it during difficult times.
“The fans missed their stadium before they missed the matches, so I expect the return to be different, especially since supporters will no longer have to worry about the distance or the cost of traveling to another stadium,” Khalifat said.
He added that if the team manages to achieve positive results, the stands will gradually return to their former atmosphere, and Al-Salt Stadium could once again become a source of strength for the team rather than simply a venue where matches are played.
Resource: Al-Ghad. Reporting: Yahya Qtaishat
