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Billy Mehmet

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Billy Mehmet
Billy Mehmet playing for St. Mirren.
Personal information
Full name Billy Mehmet
Height 1.89 m (6 ft 2 in)
Position(s) Striker
Team information
Current team
 Perth Glory
Youth career
2000–2003 West Ham United
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2003–2005 Dunfermline Athletic 49 (3)
2005–2010 St. Mirren 141 (39)
2010–2011 Gençlerbirliği 14 (2)
2011 Samsunspor 9 (2)
2011— Perth Glory 10 (2)
International career
2004 Republic of Ireland U21 1 (0)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 5 December 2011

Billy Mehmet (born 3 January 1984 in London) 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.[1]

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.[citation needed]

Club career

Early career

Born in London to an English mother and a Turkish Cypriot father,[2] 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.[3] Two years later, he transferred to St. Mirren. Mehmet has become a cult hero at Perth Glory and is well known amongst the Family Stand end fans as 'Log'.

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.[4] 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.[5]

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.[6] 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.

Gençlerbirliği

On 10 May 2010, it was confirmed that Mehmet had signed for Turkish side Gençlerbirliği S.K. on a two-year deal with a one-year option to extend his stay.[7] However in January 2011 Mehmet mutually agreed to terminate his contract as Gençlerbirliği S.K. suffered financial issues.[8] He made 14 appearances for the club.[9]

Samsunspor

Mehmet was not unattached for long as he signed a few days later for Turkish side Samsunspor, 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.[10]

Perth Glory

On 5 September 2011 it was announced he had signed with A-League club Perth Glory.[11] 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.[12]

International career

Mehmet qualifies for the Republic of Ireland 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.

References

  1. ^ "Mehmet seals Turkish switch from St Mirren". Scottish Television. Retrieved 13 May 2010.
  2. ^ "Genclerbirligi sign St Mirren's Billy Mehmet and hope Hearts' Michael Stewart will follow". The Herald. Retrieved 13 May 2010.
  3. ^ "Hammers starlet joins Pars". BBC Sport. 8 May 2003.
  4. ^ "Mehmet extends Love Street stay". BBC Sport. 22 February 2008.
  5. ^ "Saints avenge SPL spanking". ESPN. 7 March 2009. Retrieved 22 May 2010.
  6. ^ "E Stirlingshire 3–6 St Mirren". BBC Sport. 2 August 2009.
  7. ^ "St Mirren's Mehmet joins Turkish club Genclerbirligi". BBC Sport. 2010-05-10. Retrieved 2010-12-07.
  8. ^ "Mehmet Staying in Turkey". Sky Sports News. 2011-01-14. Retrieved 2011-01-15.
  9. ^ "Trio of SPL Clubs keen on ex-St Mirren Striker Mehmet". Tribal Football. 2011-01-04. Retrieved 2011-01-15.
  10. ^ "Mehmet Staying in Turkey". Sky Sports News. 2011-01-14. Retrieved 2011-01-15.
  11. ^ http://www.skysports.com/story/0,19528,11688_7152386,00.html?utm_source=twitterfeed&utm_medium=twitter Mehmet shunned Brit return
  12. ^ "Bill Mehmet's header good enough to seal points for Perth". The Australian. 10 October, 2011. Retrieved 9 October 2011. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
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