Willy Topp
Encyclopedia
Willy Adolfo Topp Bravo (born 4 March 1986), commonly known as Willy Topp or sometimes Billy Topp, is a Chile
an footballer who plays as striker. He plays for Belgian
side Royal Racing Football Club Montegnée
. Topp has also been involved with every level of Chile's national
set-up.
Topp started his career in his homeland with Universidad Católica
, where he first played at the age of 16. He featured for them in the Milk Cup
international youth tournament in 2003 and appeared on loan with other Chilean sides Temuco and Puerto Montt
. In 2007, he joined Bradford City
in England
's League Two
, but he played just 13 games in little more than a year, before he was released from his contract six months early. He spent a brief time playing semi-professionally with Jumilla Club de Fútbol
in the Spanish Tercera División Group 13
before moving to Royal Montegnée.
, Chile
, on 4 March 1986, Topp's football career started with Universidad Católica
in his native Chile at the age of 11. In the 2002–03 season, he scored 23 goals in 28 games with Católica's youth team, helping the under-20 side become champions and earning him a call up to Chile
's squad for the South American under-17 tournament. Later in the year, he was selected to play for Católica in the Milk Cup
international youth tournament in Northern Ireland, where the team came third. As a result of his performances in the tournament, Topp was invited to train with English side Manchester City
. However, because he was not 18, he was unable to remain with the club and returned to Chile.
Topp first played for the Católica's senior teams at the age of just 16 in a friendly against Santiago Morning
. He also had loan spells at Deportivo Temuco in 2005, where he suffered a broken metatarsal injury, and Club de Deportes Puerto Montt
in 2006. He also came on as a substitute for Diego Maradona
for the final four minutes of a charity match contested between Católica and Chile in February 2006. After his contract with Católica expired, Topp decided to leave the club and attempt to sign for a European club taking advantage of his EU passport
.
side Royal Racing Football Club Montegnée
but instead returned to England in September 2007 for a trial with League Two
side Bradford City
as part of a deal between the two sides. After scoring in his first trial game for the reserves against Coventry City
on 19 September, manager Stuart McCall
decided to buy Topp. His protracted move took nearly three months to complete, after first a disagreement between Bradford and his former club Católica, then a hold-up with the English Football Association
, before Topp was signed for £35,000 on 11 December 2007—the first time City had paid money for a player since Andy Tod
in 2001. Topp made his Bradford debut as a second-half substitute in a 3–1 defeat to Hereford United
on 29 December 2007. His first start came a month later when he made one goal and nearly scored another as Bradford defeated Shrewsbury Town
4–2. It was the first of four successive games in all of which he was substituted during the second half before he was diagnosed with the muscle-tightening condition posterior compartment syndrome
. In March 2008, Topp visited a medical specialist to prepare for an operation on his thigh, so that he could be ready for the 2008–09 pre-season.
Topp went back home to Chile during the summer and returned to play in a number of pre-season friendlies but was an unused substitute for Bradford's first home league game of the season against Notts County
, and was left out of the side three days later against Huddersfield Town
in the League Cup
after his representatives said he wanted to leave the club. Topp held talks with manager Stuart McCall and told him he wanted to stay with the club. Topp subsequently came on as a late substitute in a 2–0 victory against Macclesfield Town
the following day. He made only one more appearance as substitute before he was released from his contract six months early, in December 2008, to let him find a new club. He played a total 13 games for Bradford, starting six, without scoring.
, a side playing in Tercera División Group 13
, part of the fourth tier of Spanish football. He made his debut for Jumilla on 14 September against CD Plus Ultra
when he came on as a second half substitute during a 3–0 victory. He started the following game to help his new side defeat CD Beniel
5–0.
setup in 2003 and 2004 under the management of Juvenal Olmos
, and has represented his country at under-17 level, once scoring a hat-trick
in a game against Paraguay in September 2002. In 2003, he was in Chile's under-17
squad to play in the South American under-17 tournament. Chile failed to qualify for the FIFA World Championships
in Finland later the same year, in the tournament. In December 2004, Topp scored against Uruguay
for the under-20
side in a preparation game for a tournament in Colombia the following year. However, he was left out of his country's final squad for the tournament, and for the subsequent squad for the 2005 FIFA World Youth Championship
in The Netherlands.
Chile
Chile ,officially the Republic of Chile , is a country in South America occupying a long, narrow coastal strip between the Andes mountains to the east and the Pacific Ocean to the west. It borders Peru to the north, Bolivia to the northeast, Argentina to the east, and the Drake Passage in the far...
an footballer who plays as striker. He plays for Belgian
Belgium
Belgium , officially the Kingdom of Belgium, is a federal state in Western Europe. It is a founding member of the European Union and hosts the EU's headquarters, and those of several other major international organisations such as NATO.Belgium is also a member of, or affiliated to, many...
side Royal Racing Football Club Montegnée
R.R.F.C. Montegnée
Royal Racing Football Club Montegnée is a Belgian association football club from the municipality of Saint-Nicolas, Liège. It is currently playing in the Belgian Promotion D.- History :...
. Topp has also been involved with every level of Chile's national
Chile national football team
The Chilean national football team represents Chile in all major international football competitions. The team is controlled by the Federación de Fútbol de Chile which was established in 1895. They have appeared in eight World Cup tournaments and were hosts of the 1962 FIFA World Cup finishing in...
set-up.
Topp started his career in his homeland with Universidad Católica
Club Deportivo Universidad Católica
Club Deportivo Universidad Católica is a professional football club based in Santiago, Chile, which plays in the Primera División.Universidad Católica is one of the most successful and popular football clubs in Chile and considered one of the three "big teams"...
, where he first played at the age of 16. He featured for them in the Milk Cup
Milk Cup
The Milk Cup is an international youth football tournament held annually in Northern Ireland. The cup matches are mainly played in the North Coast area of Northern Ireland, with matches taking place in the towns of Portrush, Portstewart, Castlerock, Limavady, Coleraine, Ballymoney, Ballymena and...
international youth tournament in 2003 and appeared on loan with other Chilean sides Temuco and Puerto Montt
Club de Deportes Puerto Montt
Club de Deportes Puerto Montt is a Chilean football club based in the city of Puerto Montt, Los Lagos Region. The club was founded May 6, 1983 and plays at the second level of chilean football, the Primera B...
. In 2007, he joined Bradford City
Bradford City A.F.C.
Bradford City Association Football Club is an English association football club based in Bradford, West Yorkshire, playing in League Two....
in England
Football in England
Association football is a national sport in England, where the first modern set of rules for the code were established in 1863, which were a major influence on the development of the modern Laws of the Game...
's League Two
Football League Two
Football League Two is the third-highest division of The Football League and fourth-highest division overall in the English football league system....
, but he played just 13 games in little more than a year, before he was released from his contract six months early. He spent a brief time playing semi-professionally with Jumilla Club de Fútbol
Jumilla CF
Jumilla Club de Fútbol was a Spanish football team based in Jumilla, Region of Murcia. Founded in 1975 and dissolved in 2011, it held home games at Estadio Municipal de La Hoya, with a 3,000-seat capacity.-History:Jumilla was founded in 1975...
in the Spanish Tercera División Group 13
Tercera División
Tercera División is the fourth level of the Spanish football league system. The top three are the Primera División, often referred to as "La Liga" in English, the Segunda División, and Segunda División B.-Current Format:...
before moving to Royal Montegnée.
Universidad Católica
Born in TemucoTemuco
Temuco is a city and commune, capital of the Cautín Province and of the Araucanía Region in southern Chile. The name comes from the Mapudungun language, meaning "temu water"; "temu" is a tree used by Mapuches for medicinal purposes. The city is located 670 km south of Santiago...
, Chile
Chile
Chile ,officially the Republic of Chile , is a country in South America occupying a long, narrow coastal strip between the Andes mountains to the east and the Pacific Ocean to the west. It borders Peru to the north, Bolivia to the northeast, Argentina to the east, and the Drake Passage in the far...
, on 4 March 1986, Topp's football career started with Universidad Católica
Club Deportivo Universidad Católica
Club Deportivo Universidad Católica is a professional football club based in Santiago, Chile, which plays in the Primera División.Universidad Católica is one of the most successful and popular football clubs in Chile and considered one of the three "big teams"...
in his native Chile at the age of 11. In the 2002–03 season, he scored 23 goals in 28 games with Católica's youth team, helping the under-20 side become champions and earning him a call up to Chile
Chile national under-17 football team
Chile national under-17 football team is the representative of Chile within all FIFA sponsored tournaments that pertain to that age level. It is part of the Federación de Fútbol de Chile and has participated in two FIFA U-17 World Cups...
's squad for the South American under-17 tournament. Later in the year, he was selected to play for Católica in the Milk Cup
Milk Cup
The Milk Cup is an international youth football tournament held annually in Northern Ireland. The cup matches are mainly played in the North Coast area of Northern Ireland, with matches taking place in the towns of Portrush, Portstewart, Castlerock, Limavady, Coleraine, Ballymoney, Ballymena and...
international youth tournament in Northern Ireland, where the team came third. As a result of his performances in the tournament, Topp was invited to train with English side Manchester City
Manchester City F.C.
Manchester City Football Club is an English Premier League football club based in Manchester. Founded in 1880 as St. Mark's , they became Ardwick Association Football Club in 1887 and Manchester City in 1894...
. However, because he was not 18, he was unable to remain with the club and returned to Chile.
Topp first played for the Católica's senior teams at the age of just 16 in a friendly against Santiago Morning
Club de Deportes Santiago Morning
Club de Deportes Santiago Morning is a Chilean professional football club based in Recoleta, Santiago. They compete in the Chilean Primera División since 1933, when the league was founded. Santiago Morning was one of the founding teams of the league...
. He also had loan spells at Deportivo Temuco in 2005, where he suffered a broken metatarsal injury, and Club de Deportes Puerto Montt
Club de Deportes Puerto Montt
Club de Deportes Puerto Montt is a Chilean football club based in the city of Puerto Montt, Los Lagos Region. The club was founded May 6, 1983 and plays at the second level of chilean football, the Primera B...
in 2006. He also came on as a substitute for Diego Maradona
Diego Maradona
Diego Armando Maradona is a retired Argentine football player and widely regarded as one of the greatest football players of all time. Over the course of his professional club career Maradona played for Argentinos Juniors, Boca Juniors, Barcelona, Napoli, Sevilla and Newell's Old Boys, setting...
for the final four minutes of a charity match contested between Católica and Chile in February 2006. After his contract with Católica expired, Topp decided to leave the club and attempt to sign for a European club taking advantage of his EU passport
Passport
A passport is a document, issued by a national government, which certifies, for the purpose of international travel, the identity and nationality of its holder. The elements of identity are name, date of birth, sex, and place of birth....
.
Bradford City
Topp was due to sign for BelgianBelgium
Belgium , officially the Kingdom of Belgium, is a federal state in Western Europe. It is a founding member of the European Union and hosts the EU's headquarters, and those of several other major international organisations such as NATO.Belgium is also a member of, or affiliated to, many...
side Royal Racing Football Club Montegnée
R.R.F.C. Montegnée
Royal Racing Football Club Montegnée is a Belgian association football club from the municipality of Saint-Nicolas, Liège. It is currently playing in the Belgian Promotion D.- History :...
but instead returned to England in September 2007 for a trial with League Two
Football League Two
Football League Two is the third-highest division of The Football League and fourth-highest division overall in the English football league system....
side Bradford City
Bradford City A.F.C.
Bradford City Association Football Club is an English association football club based in Bradford, West Yorkshire, playing in League Two....
as part of a deal between the two sides. After scoring in his first trial game for the reserves against 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...
on 19 September, manager Stuart McCall
Stuart McCall
Andrew Stuart Murray McCall , usually known as Stuart McCall, is a former footballer who played in central midfield. He played a total of 763 league games during his career, the 13th highest of all British footballers...
decided to buy Topp. His protracted move took nearly three months to complete, after first a disagreement between Bradford and his former club Católica, then a hold-up with the English Football Association
The Football Association
The Football Association, also known as simply The FA, is the governing body of football in England, and the Crown Dependencies of Jersey, Guernsey and the Isle of Man. It was formed in 1863, and is the oldest national football association...
, before Topp was signed for £35,000 on 11 December 2007—the first time City had paid money for a player since Andy Tod
Andy Tod
Andy Tod is a former Scottish professional footballer who played mainly as a defender.-Career:Tod, a versatile player who could play in defence or attack, started his career at Dunfermline Athletic in 1992...
in 2001. Topp made his Bradford debut as a second-half substitute in a 3–1 defeat to Hereford United
Hereford United F.C.
Hereford United Football Club is an English professional football club based in the city of Hereford. Founded in 1924, they are competing in Football League Two in the 2011–12 season. Hereford have played at Edgar Street for their entire history and are nicknamed 'The Whites' or 'The Lilywhites',...
on 29 December 2007. His first start came a month later when he made one goal and nearly scored another as Bradford defeated Shrewsbury Town
Shrewsbury Town F.C.
Shrewsbury Town Football Club is an English Association football club based in Shrewsbury, Shropshire, who play in League Two, the fourth tier of English football. The club was formed in 1886 and has played in all the bottom three divisions in various guises since being elected into the Football...
4–2. It was the first of four successive games in all of which he was substituted during the second half before he was diagnosed with the muscle-tightening condition posterior compartment syndrome
Compartment syndrome
Compartment syndrome is a limb threatening and life threatening condition, defined as the compression of nerves, blood vessels, and muscle inside a closed space within the body . This leads to tissue death from lack of oxygenation due to the blood vessels being compressed by the raised pressure...
. In March 2008, Topp visited a medical specialist to prepare for an operation on his thigh, so that he could be ready for the 2008–09 pre-season.
Topp went back home to Chile during the summer and returned to play in a number of pre-season friendlies but was an unused substitute for Bradford's first home league game of the season against Notts County
Notts County F.C.
Notts County Football Club are an English professional football club based in Nottingham. They are the oldest of all the clubs in the world that are now professional, having been formed in 1862. They currently play in League One of The Football League, the third tier of the English football system...
, and was left out of the side three days later against Huddersfield Town
Huddersfield Town F.C.
Huddersfield Town Football Club is an English football club formed in 1908 and based in Huddersfield, West Yorkshire. They currently play in League One...
in the League Cup
Football League Cup
The Football League Cup, commonly known as the League Cup or, from current sponsorship, the Carling Cup, is an English association football competition. Like the FA Cup, it is played on a knockout basis...
after his representatives said he wanted to leave the club. Topp held talks with manager Stuart McCall and told him he wanted to stay with the club. Topp subsequently came on as a late substitute in a 2–0 victory against Macclesfield Town
Macclesfield Town F.C.
Macclesfield Town Football Club is an English football team. The club was formed in 1874 and is based in the town of Macclesfield in Cheshire. The team play its home games at the 6,355 capacity Moss Rose stadium...
the following day. He made only one more appearance as substitute before he was released from his contract six months early, in December 2008, to let him find a new club. He played a total 13 games for Bradford, starting six, without scoring.
Jumilla CF
In August 2009, after eight months out of the game, Topp joined Jumilla Club de FútbolJumilla CF
Jumilla Club de Fútbol was a Spanish football team based in Jumilla, Region of Murcia. Founded in 1975 and dissolved in 2011, it held home games at Estadio Municipal de La Hoya, with a 3,000-seat capacity.-History:Jumilla was founded in 1975...
, a side playing in Tercera División Group 13
Tercera División
Tercera División is the fourth level of the Spanish football league system. The top three are the Primera División, often referred to as "La Liga" in English, the Segunda División, and Segunda División B.-Current Format:...
, part of the fourth tier of Spanish football. He made his debut for Jumilla on 14 September against CD Plus Ultra
CD Plus Ultra
Club Deportivo Plus Ultra is a football team based in Llano de Brujas, Murcia. Founded in 1986, the team plays in Tercera División Group 13.The club's home ground is Estadio Municipal.- Season to season:---------...
when he came on as a second half substitute during a 3–0 victory. He started the following game to help his new side defeat CD Beniel
CD Beniel
Club Deportivo Beniel is a football team based in Beniel, Murcia. Founded in 1976, the team plays in Preferente Autonómica.The club's home ground is Estadio Villa de Beniel.- Season to season:---------*17 seasons in Tercera División...
5–0.
Royal Montegnée
In January 2010, Topp left Jumilla to return to Belgian side Royal Montegnée where he had previously been registered as a player before moving to Bradford City. Topp made his debut for Montegnee in a 4–0 victory against Oreye on 7 March, but had a poor game reported to be because of a poor selection of boots. Later the same month, Topp was sent off during a 3–1 victory, but the following weekend scored his first goal for Montegnée in another 3–1 win.International career
Topp was involved in the senior Chile national teamChile national football team
The Chilean national football team represents Chile in all major international football competitions. The team is controlled by the Federación de Fútbol de Chile which was established in 1895. They have appeared in eight World Cup tournaments and were hosts of the 1962 FIFA World Cup finishing in...
setup in 2003 and 2004 under the management of Juvenal Olmos
Juvenal Olmos
Juvenal Olmos is an Chilean football manager who coached the Chile national football team between 2003 and 2005...
, and has represented his country at under-17 level, once scoring a hat-trick
Hat-trick
A hat-trick or hat trick in sport is the achievement of a positive feat three times during a game, or other achievements based on threes. The term was first used in 1858 in cricket to describe HH Stephenson's feat of taking three wickets in three balls. A collection was held for Stephenson, and he...
in a game against Paraguay in September 2002. In 2003, he was in Chile's under-17
Chile national under-17 football team
Chile national under-17 football team is the representative of Chile within all FIFA sponsored tournaments that pertain to that age level. It is part of the Federación de Fútbol de Chile and has participated in two FIFA U-17 World Cups...
squad to play in the South American under-17 tournament. Chile failed to qualify for the FIFA World Championships
2003 FIFA U-17 World Championship
The FIFA U-17 World Championship 2003 was held in the cities of Helsinki, Tampere, Lahti, and Turku in Finland between 13 August and 30 August 2003...
in Finland later the same year, in the tournament. In December 2004, Topp scored against Uruguay
Uruguay national football team
The Uruguayan national football team represents Uruguay in international association football and is controlled by the Uruguayan Football Association, the governing body for football in Uruguay. The current head coach is Óscar Tabárez...
for the under-20
Chile national under-20 football team
Chile national U-20 football team, also known as Chile Sub-20 or La Rojita, is part of the Federación de Fútbol de Chile. The U-20 team is considered to be the breeding ground for future Chile national soccer team players...
side in a preparation game for a tournament in Colombia the following year. However, he was left out of his country's final squad for the tournament, and for the subsequent squad for the 2005 FIFA World Youth Championship
2005 FIFA World Youth Championship
The 2005 FIFA World Youth Championship took place in The Netherlands between 10 June and 2 July 2005. The 2005 championship was the 15th contested.- Venues :- Qualification :The following 24 teams qualified for the 2005 FIFA World Youth Championship...
in The Netherlands.
Playing statistics
- Updated to 3 January 2010.
Club Season League FA Cup League Cup Other Total Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Universidad Católica Club Deportivo Universidad CatólicaClub Deportivo Universidad Católica is a professional football club based in Santiago, Chile, which plays in the Primera División.Universidad Católica is one of the most successful and popular football clubs in Chile and considered one of the three "big teams"...| Temuco (loan) | Puerto Montt Club de Deportes Puerto MonttClub de Deportes Puerto Montt is a Chilean football club based in the city of Puerto Montt, Los Lagos Region. The club was founded May 6, 1983 and plays at the second level of chilean football, the Primera B...
(loan)| Bradford City Bradford City A.F.C.Bradford City Association Football Club is an English association football club based in Bradford, West Yorkshire, playing in League Two....2007–08 Bradford City A.F.C. season 2007–08The 2007–08 season was the 105th season in Bradford City A.F.C.'s history, their 93rd in The Football League and 95th in the league system of English football. After finishing 22nd in League One during the 2006–07 season, Bradford City were relegated to League Two meaning the season...11 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 11 0 2008–09 Bradford City A.F.C. season 2008–09The 2008–09 season was the 106th season in Bradford City A.F.C.'s history, their 94th in The Football League and 96th in the league system of English football...2 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 2 0 Total 13 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 13 0 Jumilla Club de Fútbol Jumilla CFJumilla Club de Fútbol was a Spanish football team based in Jumilla, Region of Murcia. Founded in 1975 and dissolved in 2011, it held home games at Estadio Municipal de La Hoya, with a 3,000-seat capacity.-History:Jumilla was founded in 1975...2009–10 | Royal Racing Football Club Montegnée R.R.F.C. MontegnéeRoyal Racing Football Club Montegnée is a Belgian association football club from the municipality of Saint-Nicolas, Liège. It is currently playing in the Belgian Promotion D.- History :...2009–10 | Career totals 13 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 13 0