Billy Mehmet

Billy Osman Mehmet (born 3 January 1985) is a professional football player who plays as a striker for Merit Alsancak Yeşilova of Northern Cyprus. Born in London, of English, Irish and Turkish Cypriot descent, he has played for the Republic of Ireland U21 team.[2]

Billy Mehmet
Mehmet playing for St Mirren.
Personal information
Full name Billy Osman Mehmet[1]
Date of birth (1985-01-03) 3 January 1985
Place of birth London, England
Position(s) Striker
Club information
Current team
 Merit Alsancak Yeşilova
Number 9
Youth career
1991–2003 West Ham United
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2003–2005 Dunfermline Athletic 49 (3)
2005–2010 St Mirren 161 (20)
2010–2011 Gençlerbirliği 14 (2)
2011–2012 Samsunspor 11 (2)
2012–2013 Perth Glory 42 (10)
2013 Bangkok Glass 3 (0)
2013 Dempo 8 (1)
2014 Kedah FA 26 (15)
2015 Sarawak FA 25 (10)
2016 Tampines Rovers 22 (12)
2017 DPMM 5 (1)
2017– Merit Alsancak Yeşilova 85 (25)
National team‡
2003–2005 Republic of Ireland U21 6 (1)
2018– Northern Cyprus 5 (4)
* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only and correct as of 08:56, 22 July 2020 (UTC)
‡ National team caps and goals correct as of 9 June 2018

Mehmet attended Bacon's College, Rotherhithe, he is a product of West Ham United Academy and was signed by the club at the age of eight and spent eleven years with West Ham United before transferring to the Scottish Premier League at the age of 19. He spent seven years in Scotland with Dunfermline Athletic and St Mirren.[3] Mehmet has also played in the Turkish Super Lig with Gençlerbirliği S.K. and Samsunspor as well as spending 2 years in Australia, playing in the A-League with Perth Glory. Mehmet made his move into Southeast Asian Football when he was bought by Thai Premier League side Bangkok Glass for an undisclosed fee. In 2014 whilst playing for Kedah FA Mehmet was the top goal scorer in all competitions in the Malaysia Premier League, scoring 23 goals in 26 appearances. In 2015 Mehmet was the club's top goal scorer at Sarawak FA and finished as the third top goal scorer in the Malaysian Super League.

Club career

Early career

Mehmet began his career with West Ham United where he was captain of The Academy of Football. As a youngster Mehmet was offered deals with Norwich, Arsenal, Millwall and Crystal Palace but decided to stay with West Ham United.

He transferred to Dunfermline Athletic on 8 May 2003.[4] He was an unused substitute in the 2004 Scottish Cup Final against Celtic, Dunfermline losing 3–1.[5] In 2005, he transferred to St Mirren.

St Mirren

In his first season, Mehmet helped St Mirren win the Scottish First Division and gain promotion to the Scottish Premier League, scoring the winning goal in a 2–1 win over Dundee which clinched the league.[6] He scored the goals that kept St Mirren in the SPL in 2007–08 and 2008–09. In 2007–08 season, Mehmet started to play more and was Saints' top scorer in 2007–08 with nine goals, 2008–09 with 11 goals and 2009–10 with 13 goals. In February 2008, Mehmet extended his contact with St Mirren to 2010.[7] He scored his first ever hat-trick in a Scottish League Cup win against Dumbarton. On 7 March 2009, Mehmet scored the only goal in a 1–0 win at St Mirren Park, converting a penalty to knock Celtic out of the Scottish Cup, and sending the Paisley club into the semi-finals of the tournament.[8] The victory came after St Mirren lost 7–0 to Celtic in the Scottish Premier League meeting at Parkhead the week before. In August 2009, Mehmet scored five of St Mirren's six goals in a 6–3 League Cup victory over East Stirlingshire.[9] On 2 February 2010, Mehmet booked Saints a place in the League Cup Final after his strike was enough to secure a semi-final victory over Hearts, they lost 1–0 in the final against Rangers.[10]

Gençlerbirliği

On 10 May 2010, it was confirmed that Mehmet had signed for Turkish side Gençlerbirliği on a two-year deal with a one-year option to extend his stay.[11] However, in February 2011 Mehmet mutually agreed to terminate his contract with Gençlerbirliği due to financial issues affecting the club.[12] He made 19 appearances, scoring four times for the club.[13]

Samsunspor

In March 2011, Mehmet signed for Turkish side Samsunspor, dropping down to the Bank Asya Lig 1, the second level of Turkish football, due to a clause in his contract that didn't allow him to play for another Super Lig team for one season.[12] Mehmet helped Samsunspor to second place in the Bank Asya Lig 1 title in August 2011 which saw Samsunspor promoted to the Turkish Super Lig. He score thrice in 12 league appearances for the club.[14]

Perth Glory

On 5 September 2011 it was announced Mehmet had signed with A-League club Perth Glory.[15] After an impressive pre-season, Mehmet scored the lone goal in Perth's 1–0 defeat of Adelaide United in the opening round game in Perth.[16] He went to make 29 league appearances that season, scoring eight goals, and helped Perth Glory to second place in the league.[17]

Bangkok Glass

On 18 January 2013, Mehmet terminated his contract with Perth Glory in the A-League after agreeing to sign with Thai Premier League side Bangkok Glass. Billy Mehmet scored in his first pre-season match for Bangkok Glass vs Singapore Armed Forces in a 3–1 victory at the Leo Stadium.[18] Mehmet made his league debut for Bangkok Glass on 3 February 2013, losing 1–0 to Songkhla United.[19]

After making only seven league appearances and scoring once, Mehmet and Bangkok Glass agreed to mutually terminate Mehmet's contract on 13 June 2013 due to personal reasons.[17][20]

Dempo

Not long after leaving Bangkok, Mehmet was snapped up by Indian club Dempo. The Panaji based club from the I-League (India's top flight) announced his signing on 10 July.[21] Mehmet made his debut for Dempo on 22 July 2013, in a 3–0 away defeat to Shillong Lajong.[22] During his six months stay in India, he scored seven goals in 16 league appearances for the club.

Kedah F.A.

In February 2014, Mehmet signed for Malaysian Premier League club Kedah FA for the 2014 season.[23] He made an immediate impact for his new team, scoring six goals in his first four games and being awarded the club's Player of the Month award. Mehmet went on to be the club's top goal scorer with 23 goals in 26 games.[24]

Sarawak F.A.

Mehmet decided to move onto Malaysian Super League side Sarawak FA at the end of the 2014 season. Mehmet was also offered a contract at Super League side Perak, but chose Sarawak FA. Mehmet had a great pre season with Sarawak scoring on his debut game for the club. Mehmet scored 8 goals in pre season with Sarawak FA. Mehmet also scored on his full debut and his next 2 games in the Malaysian Super League with Sarawak. Mehmet ended the 2015 season as Sarawak FA's top goal scorer and was the 3rd highest goal scorer in the 2015 Malaysian Super League. Mehmet left the club at the end of his contract.

Tampines Rovers

After leaving Sarawak FA at the end of his contract, Mehmet signed for Tampines Rovers in the S-League after declining offers from football clubs in Malaysia and Indonesia. Tampines manager Sundram wanted to sign Mehmet when he was in charge at Negeri in the Malaysian Super League but missed out when Mehmet signed with Sarawak FA.

Brunei DPMM

It was announced that Mehmet would leave the 2016 S.League runners-up side Tampines Rovers for Brunei DPMM.[25][26] He scored his first goal for the Bruneian club on 2 April 2017 against Hougang United.[27] He left the club in June 2017.[28]

Merit Alsancak Yeşilova

On 6 July 2017, Mehmet signed a contract with Turkish Cypriot club Merit Alsancak Yeşilova.[29] He scored twice in the friendly game against Bostancı Bağcıl on 11 August.[30]

International career

Mehmet qualifies for the Republic of Ireland through his Irish maternal grandfather. He has played for the Republic of Ireland under-21 national football team and made his debut against Poland in April 2004. Mehmet qualifies for England, Cyprus and Turkey due to his mother being half English and half Irish and his father being Cypriot.

Mehmet received a call-up from the Northern Cyprus national football team ahead of the 2018 ConIFA World Football Cup.[31] On 31 May 2018, Mehmet scored on his debut for Northern Cyprus, scoring the opening goal in a 1–1 draw with Kárpátalja.[32]

Personal life

Mehmet was born in London to a mother of English and Irish descent, and a Turkish Cypriot father.[33]

Career statistics
As of 15 May 2017
Club Season League Scottish Cup Scottish League Cup Finals Asia Total
Apps Goals Assists Apps Goals Assists Apps Goals Assists Apps Goals Assists Apps Goals Assists Apps Goals Assists
Dunfermline 2003–04 181-1--2--------211-
2004–05 312----21-------333-
St Mirren 2005–06 312-2--2--------352-
2006–07 252----22-------254-
2007–08 376552-10-------4383
2008–09 3410642123-------40154
2009–10 3791232156-------45178
Perth Glory 2011–12 2894------------2891
2012–13 1453------------1451
Bangkok Glass 2013 422------------422
Kedah FA 2014 262313------------262313
Sarawak FA 2015 251515------------251515
Tampines Rovers 2016 221116---------795292021
Brunei DPMM 2017 820---------000820
267947015621612000000034412670

Honours

Club

International

References
  1. "BILLY OSMAN BEYZA – Player Details". TFF.org. Retrieved 7 July 2014.
  2. Billy Mehmet: The West Ham graduate and St Mirren legend who has played around the world englishplayersabroad.com
  3. "Mehmet seals Turkish switch from St Mirren". Scottish Television. Retrieved 13 May 2010.
  4. "Hammers starlet joins Pars". BBC Sport. 8 May 2003.
  5. "Larsson caps Celtic triumph". BBC Sport. 22 May 2004. Retrieved 5 September 2014.
  6. "St Mirren 2 – 1 Dundee". BBC Sport. 15 April 2006. Retrieved 5 September 2014.
  7. "Mehmet extends Love Street stay". BBC Sport. 22 February 2008.
  8. "Saints avenge SPL spanking". Soccernet. ESPN. 7 March 2009. Retrieved 22 May 2010.
  9. "E Stirlingshire 3–6 St Mirren". BBC Sport. 2 August 2009.
  10. Campbell, Andy (21 March 2010). "St Mirren 0 – 1 Rangers". BBC Sport. Retrieved 5 September 2014.
  11. "St Mirren's Mehmet joins Turkish club Genclerbirligi". BBC Sport. 10 May 2010. Retrieved 7 December 2010.
  12. "Mehmet Staying in Turkey". Sky Sports News. 14 January 2011. Retrieved 15 January 2011.
  13. "Trio of SPL Clubs keen on ex-St Mirren Striker Mehmet". Tribal Football. 4 January 2011. Retrieved 15 January 2011.
  14. "Billy Mehmet". The Wild Geese (Irish footballers in Europe). Retrieved 5 September 2014.
  15. "Mehmet shunned Brit return". Sky Sports. Retrieved 10 December 2015.
  16. "Bill Mehmet's header good enough to seal points for Perth". The Australian. 10 October 2011. Retrieved 9 October 2011.
  17. "B. Mehmet". Soccerway. Retrieved 5 September 2014.
  18. "Striker Billy Mehmet quits Perth Glory to pursue Thai opportunity". News.com.au. 4 January 2013. Retrieved 5 January 2013.
  19. "TPL". Thai Premier League. Archived from the original on 11 December 2015. Retrieved 10 December 2015.
  20. "Ex-Perth man Mehmet parts ways with Bangkok Glass". foxsportsasia.com. Retrieved 20 May 2013.
  21. "Former West Ham academy product Billy Mehmet joins Dempo SC". Sportskeeda.com. 10 June 2013. Retrieved 10 December 2015.
  22. "DEMPO 0 – 3 SHILLONG LAJONG". Soccerway. Retrieved 24 September 2013.
  23. "Transfer News: Kedah eye foreign imports". Goal.com. 19 November 2013. Retrieved 10 December 2015.
  24. "In-form Mehmet nets Kedah's Player of the Month gong". The Emerald Exiles. 19 February 2014. Archived from the original on 5 September 2014. Retrieved 5 September 2014.
  25. "Mehmet transferring to DPMM". Archived from the original on 23 December 2016. Retrieved 28 December 2016.
  26. "Making do without Mehmet". Archived from the original on 28 December 2016. Retrieved 28 December 2016.
  27. "Wasps Secure First Victory Of The Season Against Cheetahs". S.League. 2 April 2017. Retrieved 3 April 2017.
  28. Kean banks on Chilean duo to spark DPMM revival‚ tnp.sg, 16 June 2017
  29. "Billy Mehmet, artık resmen Merit Yeşilova'lı..!". arenasporkolik.com. 6 July 2017.
  30. "Lua Lua'lı Yeşilova 3'ledi..!". arenasporkolik.com. 11 August 2017.
  31. "Paddy Power CONIFA World Football Cup 2018 Team List" (PDF). CONIFA. Archived from the original (PDF) on 4 May 2018. Retrieved 3 May 2018.
  32. "WFC 2018 Recap – Day 1 (May 31)". CONIFA. 1 June 2018. Retrieved 1 June 2018.
  33. "Genclerbirligi sign St Mirren's Billy Mehmet and hope Hearts' Michael Stewart will follow". HeraldScotland. Herald & Times Group. Retrieved 13 May 2010.
  34. "St Mirren 2–1 Hamilton Accies". BBC Sport. 6 November 2005. Retrieved 5 September 2014.
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