Refik Osman Top Explained

Refik Osman
Full Name:Refik Osman Top
Birth Date:1 January 1897
Birth Place:Valideçeşme, Beşiktaş, Ottoman Empire
Death Date:[1]
Death Place:İstanbul, Turkey
Position:Midfielder, defender
Youthclubs1:Basiret
Youthyears2:1910
Youthclubs2:Beşiktaş
Youthclubs3:Sebat
Youthyears4:1912–1913
Youthclubs4:Beşiktaş
Youthyears5:1913–1915
Youthclubs5:Fenerbahçe
Years1:1915–1917
Clubs1:Galatasaray
Years2:1917–1921
Clubs2:Altınordu
Years3:1921–1922
Clubs3:Galatasaray
Years4:1922
Clubs4:Union Club (İttihatspor)
Years5:1923
Clubs5:Fenerbahçe
Years6:1923
Clubs6:Galatasaray
Years7:1923–1924
Clubs7:Beşiktaş
Years8:1924
Clubs8:Galatasaray
Clubs9:Beşiktaş
Caps9:1
Nationalyears1:1924
Nationalteam1:Turkey
Nationalcaps1:1
Nationalgoals1:0
Manageryears1:1935–1944
Managerclubs1:Beşiktaş
Manageryears2:1946–1948
Managerclubs2:Beşiktaş

Refik Osman Top (born Refik Osman; 1 January 1897 – 26 April 1957), known by his nickname Şiir[2] [3] –literally meaning the Poem–, was a Turkish footballer, referee, coach and sports columnist. Top was one of the most decorated players in the early decades of Turkish football, winning the Istanbul Football League both as a player and manager. He was also the first footballer to play for the Big Three clubs of Turkey.[4] [5]

Top is a prominent figure in the history of Beşiktaş J.K., being one of the founders and initial players of football department and the first international footballer to represent Turkey.

Playing career

Scoring twice, Top had become the first scorer ever of Beşiktaş–Galatasaray rivalry, at Istanbul Football League encounter held on 22 August 1924 at Taksim Stadium.[6] [7] [8] He represented Turkey once on 16 November 1924 against Soviet Union, in a friendly game held at Imeni Vorovskogo Stadium, ended 3 - 0 for home side.[9] This appearance made him the first Beşiktaş J.K. player ever to play for national team.

Refereeing career

Top arbitrated 18 games between 1927 and 1945 in Istanbul Football League and Milli Küme.[10]

Coaching career

Top managed Beşiktaş for two tenures. During his first stint, he earned 5 consecutive titles at Istanbul Football League between 1938 and 1943.

Honours

Player

Galatasaray

Beşiktaş

Coach

Beşiktaş

1938–39, 1939–40, 1940–41, 1941–42, 1942–43

Bibliography

Books

Notes and References

  1. News: Refik Osman Top - national football team player. eu-football.info. 19 July 2015. tr.
  2. News: Refik Osman Top. 19 July 2015. tr.
  3. Web site: REFİK OSMAN TOP - R-S-Ş - davutpasa1926sk.
  4. News: 'Osmanlı Melekleri' Ezber Bozuyor. Al Jazeera Turkish Edition. Sivaslı, Ahmet. 3 January 2015. 19 July 2015. tr.
  5. News: Eski Dostlar, Eski Maçlar.... mackolik.com. Yüce, Mehmet. 19 July 2015. tr.
  6. News: Dev Rekabetten İlginç Notlar. TRT Spor. 25 May 2015. 19 July 2015. tr.
  7. News: G.Saray-Beşiktaş rekabetinden ilginç notlar. Milliyet. 26 January 2013. 19 July 2015. tr.
  8. News: Beşiktaş Galatasaray "Ezeli Rekabet". Sabah. Gürel, Murat. 4 January 2015. 19 July 2015. tr. https://web.archive.org/web/20150924024222/http://www.guncelfutbol.com/spor%2Dtoto%2Dsuper%2Dlig/refik%2Dosman%2Dtop/19147/. 2015-09-24. dead.
  9. News: Soviet Union Defeated Turkey 3:0, 16 November 1924. eu-football.info. 19 July 2015.
  10. News: Refik Osman Top. mackolik.com. 19 July 2015. tr.