JEDDAH, 22 June 2007 — His name evokes fear in the hearts of rival goalkeepers. For more than 20 years, a long footballing career that began in Ohod of Madinah and ended up in Al-Ittihad of Jeddah, Hamza Idrees has built a reputation as one of the greatest players of Saudi football.

His fine touches while with Ittihad club decided the fate of many a match. In countless finals, Hamza’s bullet-like headers netted Ittihad title after title. Many people still remember the final match against Ahli club during the King’s Cup in Riyadh in 2003, in which he rose for a header and gave Ittihad the precious cup.

Thus did Ittihad fans give Hamza the monicker the “golden bald head,” a term of endearment and admiration for his talent all at once. Fans always make chants about the bald head and how it strikes fear in the heart of other teams.

He is known as the field general and man with the big smile on his face. Many coaches that came and went at Ittihad complimented his good behavior. He is very supportive of his teammates inside and outside the field. He never hesitated to pass his experience to the young generation in the youth and junior level at Ittihad club. This was one of the endearing qualities of Hamza that made him a fan favorite around the Kingdom.

In 2003 Idrees wanted to quit immediately after Ittihad won the King’s Cup but relented on his decision after the fans cried and pleaded with him to continue playing for a few more years.

Four years hence after the 2007 King’s Cup final match between Hilal and Ittihad in Riyadh, which ended in favor of Ittihad 2-1, Idrees announced that it was time for him to step down and give room to new generation of players to take his place.

He said that his decision is final and there is no turning back. Many said that it was a smart move by the player to step down while the team is on top. Fate has been kind to Idrees for Ittihad were flirting with a winless season after losing the two finals against rival Ahli club in the Prince Faisal ibn Fahd Cup and Crown Prince Cup.

Hamza started with the Madinah based Ohod club as the No. 1 striker. He stayed with Ohod for most of his youth playing in the first and second division of the Saudi league. He was first discovered after the 1994 World Cup USA where he showed one of his best performances. Hamza then moved to Ittihad club soon after as a striker. The timing, however, was bad.

He was suffering a leg injury and could not join the team during the season he moved in.

He was instrumental when Ittihad won four cups in 1999. In 2000, Idrees broke the record that was long dominated by Khaled Al-Mujel, who was the striker of Shabab club in the late 70’s and early 80’s, when he scored 33 goals in one season to become No. 3 in the list of world scorers. This will stay as a record that would be hard for any player to equal, come close to or break.

Ittihad club President Mansour Al- Balawi said Idrees retirement was sad news to all Ittihad lovers. He said that it is a difficult decision to accept especially after his great contribution to the team.

He said, “I refused his retirement from the team more than once and he did it for Ittihad fans and for the love of the team. I cannot convince him to stay any more. I am happy, however, that the decision came after the team won the King’s Cup against Hilal in Riyadh because that means he will retire on top. He decided to retire as a champion and as a champion he did. His place in Ittihad will remain as an administrator or as a trainer if he decided to continue with the team.”

Former manager of Ittihad football team, Hamad Al-Sanie, said that there is so much to be said about Idrees.

He said, “I do not know where to start whether from his time with Ohod club, or with the national team or with Ittihad. He put his name alongside the greatest players in Saudi history like Saleh Al-Naima, former Hilal team captain and defender, and with the most dangerous striker, Majed.