Billy Mehmet
Encyclopedia
Billy Mehmet is an Irish professional football player who plays for Australian A-League
club Perth Glory. Born in England
, Mehmet is of part English
, Irish
and Turkish Cypriot descent and has played for the Republic of Ireland U21 team.
Mehmet is the youngest ever player to have played in a first team match for West Ham United in a testimonial game at Upton Park under the guidance of Harry Redknapp at the age of 14. He was the youth team captain at West Ham United and he was signed up by the club at 8 years old and departed the club at the age of 19.
mother and a Turkish Cypriot father, 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. Two years later, he transferred to St. Mirren
.
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.
The victory came after St. Mirren suffered a 7–0 thrashing at the hands of Celtic in their 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
. 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
.
side Gençlerbirliği S.K. on a two-year deal with a one-year option to extend his stay. However in January 2011 Mehmet mutually agreed to terminate his contract as Gençlerbirliği S.K. suffered financial issues. He made 14 appearances for the club.
, dropping down to the TFF First League
, 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.
club Perth Glory. 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.
through his Irish grandfather. He has played for the Republic of Ireland under-21 national football team and made his debut against Poland
in April 2004. Mehmet spent 4 years at Englands Bisham Abbey between the age of 13 and 17. Mehmet qualifies for England and Turkey due to his mother being half English and half Irish and his father being Turkish Cypriot.
A-League
The A-League is the top Australasian professional football league. Run by Australian governing body Football Federation Australia , it was founded in 2004 following the folding of the National Soccer League and staged its inaugural season in 2005–06. It is sponsored by Hyundai Motor Company...
club Perth Glory. Born in England
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
, Mehmet is of part English
English people
The English are a nation and ethnic group native to England, who speak English. The English identity is of early mediaeval origin, when they were known in Old English as the Anglecynn. England is now a country of the United Kingdom, and the majority of English people in England are British Citizens...
, Irish
Irish people
The Irish people are an ethnic group who originate in Ireland, an island in northwestern Europe. Ireland has been populated for around 9,000 years , with the Irish people's earliest ancestors recorded having legends of being descended from groups such as the Nemedians, Fomorians, Fir Bolg, Tuatha...
and Turkish Cypriot descent and has played for the Republic of Ireland U21 team.
Mehmet is the youngest ever player to have played in a first team match for West Ham United in a testimonial game at Upton Park under the guidance of Harry Redknapp at the age of 14. He was the youth team captain at West Ham United and he was signed up by the club at 8 years old and departed the club at the age of 19.
Early career
Born in London to an EnglishEnglish people
The English are a nation and ethnic group native to England, who speak English. The English identity is of early mediaeval origin, when they were known in Old English as the Anglecynn. England is now a country of the United Kingdom, and the majority of English people in England are British Citizens...
mother and a Turkish Cypriot father, Mehmet began his career with West Ham United
West Ham United F.C.
West Ham United Football Club is an English professional football club based in Upton Park, Newham, East London. They play in The Football League Championship. The club was founded in 1895 as Thames Ironworks FC and reformed in 1900 as West Ham United. In 1904 the club relocated to their current...
where he was captain of The Academy of Football
The Academy of Football
The Academy of Football, or just The Academy, is a nickname of the English football club West Ham United.The title pays homage to the success of the club in coaching talented young players...
. 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
Dunfermline Athletic F.C.
Dunfermline Athletic Football Club are a Scottish football team based in Dunfermline, Fife, commonly known as just Dunfermline. They currently compete in the Scottish Premier League....
on 8 May 2003. Two years later, he transferred to St. Mirren
St. Mirren F.C.
St Mirren Football Club are a Scottish professional football club based in Paisley, Renfrewshire who play in the Scottish Premier League, having been promoted from the First Division in 2005–06.St...
.
St. Mirren
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, 2008–2009 with 11 goals and 2009–10 with 13 goals. In February 2008, Mehmet extended his contact with St Mirren to 2010. He scored his first ever hat-trick in a Scottish League CupScottish League Cup
The Scottish League Cup is a football competition open to all Scottish Football League and Scottish Premier League clubs. At present it is also known as the Scottish Communities League Cup owing to the sponsorship deal in place with the Scottish Government. In the past it has been sponsored by...
win against Dumbarton. On 7 March 2009, Mehmet scored the only goal in a 1–0 win at St. Mirren Park
St. Mirren Park
St. Mirren Park, more commonly known as Love Street, was a football stadium located on Love Street in Paisley, Scotland. At one time the stadium was capable of accommodating almost 50,000 spectators, however in its final years it had an all-seated capacity of 10,800. Until its closure in 2009, St....
, converting a penalty to knock Celtic out of the Scottish Cup
Scottish Cup
The Scottish Football Association Challenge Cup,, commonly known as the Scottish Cup or the William Hill Scottish Cup for sponsorship purposes, is the main national cup competition in Scottish football. It is a knockout cup competition run by and named after the Scottish Football Association.The...
, and sending the Paisley club into the semi-finals of the tournament.
The victory came after St. Mirren suffered a 7–0 thrashing at the hands of Celtic in their 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
Scottish League Cup
The Scottish League Cup is a football competition open to all Scottish Football League and Scottish Premier League clubs. At present it is also known as the Scottish Communities League Cup owing to the sponsorship deal in place with the Scottish Government. In the past it has been sponsored by...
victory over East Stirlingshire
East Stirlingshire F.C.
East Stirlingshire Football Club is a Scottish football club originating in Falkirk. Founded in 1880, originally as Bainsford Britannia, the club changed to their current name a year later in 1881...
. 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
Heart of Midlothian F.C.
Heart of Midlothian Football Club are a Scottish professional football club based in Gorgie, in the west of Edinburgh. They currently play in the Scottish Premier League and are one of the two principal clubs in the city, the other being Hibernian...
, they lost 1–0 in the final against Rangers
Rangers F.C.
Rangers Football Club are an association football club based in Glasgow, Scotland, who play in the Scottish Premier League. The club are nicknamed the Gers, Teddy Bears and the Light Blues, and the fans are known to each other as bluenoses...
.
Gençlerbirliği
On 10 May 2010, it was confirmed that Mehmet had signed for TurkishTurkey
Turkey , known officially as the Republic of Turkey , is a Eurasian country located in Western Asia and in East Thrace in Southeastern Europe...
side Gençlerbirliği S.K. on a two-year deal with a one-year option to extend his stay. However in January 2011 Mehmet mutually agreed to terminate his contract as Gençlerbirliği S.K. suffered financial issues. He made 14 appearances for the club.
Samsunspor
Mehmet was not unattached for long as he signed a few days later for Turkish side SamsunsporSamsunspor
Samsunspor is a professional Turkish football club located in the city of Samsun. The club was formed through a merger of five clubs: 19 Mayıs, Akınspor, Fener Gençlik, Samsunspor, and Samsunspor Galatasaray. The club colours are red and white, and they play their home matches at Samsun 19 Mayıs...
, dropping down to the TFF First League
TFF First League
The TFF First League is the second level of the Turkish football league system. The league was founded in 2000 after it was separated from the Turkish Second League Category B during reorganizing Second League, who was second level of Turkish league between 1963–2001...
, 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.
Perth Glory
On 5 September 2011 it was announced he had signed with A-LeagueA-League
The A-League is the top Australasian professional football league. Run by Australian governing body Football Federation Australia , it was founded in 2004 following the folding of the National Soccer League and staged its inaugural season in 2005–06. It is sponsored by Hyundai Motor Company...
club Perth Glory. 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.
International career
Mehmet qualifies for the Republic of IrelandRepublic of Ireland national football team
The Republic of Ireland national football team represents Ireland in association football. It is run by the Football Association of Ireland and currently plays home fixtures at Aviva Stadium in Dublin, which opened in May 2010....
through his Irish grandfather. He has played for the Republic of Ireland under-21 national football team and made his debut against Poland
Poland national football team
The Poland national football team represents Poland in association football and is controlled by the Polish Football Association, the governing body for football in Poland...
in April 2004. Mehmet spent 4 years at Englands Bisham Abbey between the age of 13 and 17. Mehmet qualifies for England and Turkey due to his mother being half English and half Irish and his father being Turkish Cypriot.