Tarkan Mustafa
Encyclopedia
Tarkan Mustafa is a British
football right-sided defender or winger who currently plays for Canvey Island
. He has previously played in the Football League for both Barnet
and Rushden & Diamonds
. He has represented the England semi-professional side, but is of Cypriot origin.
as a schoolboy before joining Wimbledon
. He failed to make their first team and was released into non-league football. He joined Kettering Town
for the 1996-97 season, leaving to join Barnet
at the end of the season. His league debut came on August 16, 1997 when he played as a second-half substitute for Sam Stockley
in the 2-1 defeat at home to Exeter City
.
He struggled to establish himself at Barnet and was released at the end of the season, joining Kingstonian
. In 1999 he scored the winning goal in the FA Trophy
final for Kingstonian against Forest Green Rovers
. Mustafa joined Rushden & Diamonds
in June 2000 and was a regular in the Conference
winning side the following season. He remained a regular in the Football League side the following season, but was transfer-listed in November 2002 after losing his place. He had a trial with Coventry City
before joining Doncaster Rovers
on loan in December 2002. He returned to Rushden after his month on loan, despite Doncaster offering a contact until the end of the 2004-05 season, and in February 2003 joined Dagenham & Redbridge
.
In May 2004, Mustafa followed Dagenham manager Garry Hill
to ambitious Conference South
side Hornchurch
and was part of the side that looked set to run away with the league the following season. However, in November 2004 Hornchurch were in serious financial trouble after the collapse of their main sponsor and placed their entire squad on the transfer list. Mustafa left and trained with Peterborough United
before joining Aldershot Town
in January 2005.
He was loaned to Billericay Town
in October 2005, and was released by Aldershot in February 2006. He then moved to Lewes
before soon joining Worthing
, moving to Thurrock
in September 2006 and Eastleigh
in November 2006.
He was released by Eastleigh in July 2007 and the following month rejoined Worthing
.
He has also played for Clapton
, Leyton
and Redbridge
. For Redbridge he was a consistent performer playing an important role in their run to the Isthmian League Division One North Playoff Final against Canvey Island
, which Canvey won after a tense shootout. Mustafa later joined Canvey ready for the 2008–09 season.
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
football right-sided defender or winger who currently plays for Canvey Island
Canvey Island F.C.
Canvey Island F.C, known as the Gulls or Yellow Army, are an English football club founded in 1926 that play in the Isthmian League Premier Division....
. He has previously played in the Football League for both Barnet
Barnet F.C.
Barnet Football Club is an English football team from High Barnet, London, England, currently playing in Football League Two. The ground is in the town of Barnet within the London Borough of Barnet....
and Rushden & Diamonds
Rushden & Diamonds F.C.
Rushden & Diamonds Football Club was an association football club based in Irthlingborough, Northamptonshire, England. Formed by a merger of Rushden Town and Irthlingborough Diamonds in 1992, the club played in the Conference National following a short spell in the Football League at the start of...
. He has represented the England semi-professional side, but is of Cypriot origin.
Career
Mustafa was with Norwich CityNorwich City F.C.
Norwich City Football Club is an English professional football club based in Norwich, Norfolk. As of the 2011–12 season, Norwich City are again playing in the Premier League after a six-year absence, having finished as runner up in the Championship in 2010–11 and winning automatic promotion.The...
as a schoolboy before joining Wimbledon
Wimbledon F.C.
Wimbledon Football Club was an English professional association football club from Wimbledon, south-west London. Founded in 1889 as Wimbledon Old Central Football Club, the club spent most of its history in amateur and semi-professional non-League football before being elected to the Football...
. He failed to make their first team and was released into non-league football. He joined Kettering Town
Kettering Town F.C.
Kettering Town Football Club are a football club originating in Kettering, Northamptonshire but currently based in the nearby village of Irthlingborough. The club play in the Conference National after winning the Conference North in 2007–08...
for the 1996-97 season, leaving to join Barnet
Barnet F.C.
Barnet Football Club is an English football team from High Barnet, London, England, currently playing in Football League Two. The ground is in the town of Barnet within the London Borough of Barnet....
at the end of the season. His league debut came on August 16, 1997 when he played as a second-half substitute for Sam Stockley
Sam Stockley
Samuel Joshua "Sam" Stockley is an English footballer currently playing for F.C. New York in the USL Professional Division....
in the 2-1 defeat at home to Exeter City
Exeter City F.C.
Exeter City Football Club is an English football club, based in Exeter, which is owned by its fans through the Exeter City Supporters Trust.The club was a member of the Football League from 1920 to 2003...
.
He struggled to establish himself at Barnet and was released at the end of the season, joining Kingstonian
Kingstonian F.C.
Kingstonian Football Club are an English, semi-professional football club that are playing in the Isthmian League Premier Division for the 2011–12 season. The club has played at Kingsmeadow in Kingston upon Thames since 1989, after leaving their traditional Richmond Road ground...
. In 1999 he scored the winning goal in the FA Trophy
FA Trophy
The Football Association Challenge Trophy, commonly known as the FA Trophy, is a knockout cup competition in English football, run by and named after The Football Association and competed for primarily by semi-professional teams...
final for Kingstonian against Forest Green Rovers
Forest Green Rovers F.C.
Forest Green Rovers Football Club is an English football club based in Nailsworth, Gloucestershire, currently the longest-serving members of the Conference National. The club is affiliated to the Gloucestershire County FA.-Early years:...
. Mustafa joined Rushden & Diamonds
Rushden & Diamonds F.C.
Rushden & Diamonds Football Club was an association football club based in Irthlingborough, Northamptonshire, England. Formed by a merger of Rushden Town and Irthlingborough Diamonds in 1992, the club played in the Conference National following a short spell in the Football League at the start of...
in June 2000 and was a regular in the Conference
Conference National
Conference National is the top division of the Football Conference in England. It is the highest level of the National League System and fifth highest of the overall English football league system...
winning side the following season. He remained a regular in the Football League side the following season, but was transfer-listed in November 2002 after losing his place. He had a trial with Coventry City
Coventry City F.C.
Coventry City Football Club, otherwise known as the Sky Blues owing to the traditional colour of their strip, are a professional English Football league club based in Coventry...
before joining Doncaster Rovers
Doncaster Rovers F.C.
Doncaster Rovers Football Club is an English football club, based at the Keepmoat Stadium in Doncaster, South Yorkshire. The team currently competes in the Football League Championship, after being promoted via the League One play-offs in 2008, and have remained there since.The club was founded in...
on loan in December 2002. He returned to Rushden after his month on loan, despite Doncaster offering a contact until the end of the 2004-05 season, and in February 2003 joined Dagenham & Redbridge
Dagenham & Redbridge F.C.
Dagenham & Redbridge Football Club , informally known as Daggers, is an English association football club based in Dagenham, in the London Borough of Barking & Dagenham, East London. It was formed in 1992 after a merger between Redbridge Forest and Dagenham...
.
In May 2004, Mustafa followed Dagenham manager Garry Hill
Garry Hill
Garry Hill is an English football manager, who resigned as manager of Rushden & Diamonds in February 2009. He is currently the manager of Conference South club Woking.-Career:...
to ambitious Conference South
Conference South
Conference South is one of the second divisions of the Football Conference in England, taking its place immediately below the Conference National...
side Hornchurch
Hornchurch F.C.
Hornchurch F.C. were an non-League football club based in east London. They played in the Conference South, after being promoted from the Isthmian League....
and was part of the side that looked set to run away with the league the following season. However, in November 2004 Hornchurch were in serious financial trouble after the collapse of their main sponsor and placed their entire squad on the transfer list. Mustafa left and trained with Peterborough United
Peterborough United F.C.
Peterborough United Football Club are a professional English football club based in Peterborough. Peterborough United formed in 1934 and played in the old Midland League, which they won six times; eventually being admitted to the Football League in 1960, replacing Gateshead. Their home ground is...
before joining Aldershot Town
Aldershot Town F.C.
Aldershot Town Football Club is an association football club based in Aldershot, Hampshire, England, founded in the spring of 1992 just after the closure of debt-ridden Fourth Division club Aldershot Football Club...
in January 2005.
He was loaned to Billericay Town
Billericay Town F.C.
Billericay Town Football Club are an English football club based in Billericay, Essex, who currently play in the Isthmian League Premier Division....
in October 2005, and was released by Aldershot in February 2006. He then moved to Lewes
Lewes F.C.
Lewes Football Club is an English football team based in Lewes, East Sussex. The club are currently members of the Isthmian League Premier Division and play at the Dripping Pan.-History:...
before soon joining Worthing
Worthing F.C.
Worthing Football Club are an English association football club based in Worthing, West Sussex, currently playing in the Isthmian League Division One South...
, moving to Thurrock
Thurrock F.C.
Thurrock F.C. are an English football club based in Aveley, Thurrock, Essex. Known as Purfleet until 2003, the club are currently members of the Conference South and play at Ship Lane.-History:...
in September 2006 and Eastleigh
Eastleigh F.C.
Eastleigh Football Club is an English semi-professional football club based in Eastleigh, Hampshire. The club are currently members of the Conference South and play at the Silverlake Stadium.-History:...
in November 2006.
He was released by Eastleigh in July 2007 and the following month rejoined Worthing
Worthing F.C.
Worthing Football Club are an English association football club based in Worthing, West Sussex, currently playing in the Isthmian League Division One South...
.
He has also played for Clapton
Clapton F.C.
Clapton F.C. is an English association football club, who play in Forest Gate, in the London Borough of Newham, England.Founded by W.R. Davis at a meeting in his father's house at 11 Queensdown Road, Clapton in August 0f 1877. Downs F.C. started playing on Hackney Downs. They changed their name a...
, Leyton
Leyton F.C.
Leyton Football Club are an English association football club based in Leyton, in the London Borough of Waltham Forest. As of January 2011, they are not in a senior league, after withdrawing from the Isthmian League Division One North...
and Redbridge
Redbridge F.C.
Redbridge F.C. is an English Association football club based in the London Borough of Redbridge. Prior to July 2004 the club was known as Ford United F.C. The new name was chosen to help associate the club more within the local area and attract a larger support.They should not be confused with...
. For Redbridge he was a consistent performer playing an important role in their run to the Isthmian League Division One North Playoff Final against Canvey Island
Canvey Island F.C.
Canvey Island F.C, known as the Gulls or Yellow Army, are an English football club founded in 1926 that play in the Isthmian League Premier Division....
, which Canvey won after a tense shootout. Mustafa later joined Canvey ready for the 2008–09 season.