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]

Refik Osman
Personal information
Full name Refik Osman Top
Date of birth (1897-01-01)1 January 1897
Place of birth Valideçeşme, Beşiktaş, Ottoman Empire
Date of death 26 April 1957(1957-04-26) (aged 60)[1]
Place of death İstanbul, Turkey
Position(s) Midfielder, defender
Youth career
Basiret
1910 Beşiktaş
Sebat
1912–1913 Beşiktaş
1913–1915 Fenerbahçe
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
1915–1917 Galatasaray
1917–1921 Altınordu
1921–1922 Galatasaray
1922 Union Club (İttihatspor)
1923 Fenerbahçe
1923 Galatasaray
1923–1924 Beşiktaş
1924 Galatasaray
Beşiktaş 1
International career
1924 Turkey 1 (0)
Managerial career
1935–1944 Beşiktaş
1946–1948 Beşiktaş
*Club domestic league appearances and goals

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

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Top was one of the members of 1923–24 Istanbul League winner squad[6]
Goalkeeper: Sadri Usuoğlu, Defenders: Tevfik Martı, Refik Osman Top, Midfielders: Bahattin, Cavit Altındal, Şahap, Forwards: Nafi, Abdi Aksoyman, Edip, Hasan, Saadet

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.[7][8][9] 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.[10] This appearance made him the first Beşiktaş J.K. player ever to play for national team.

Refereeing career

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Top arbitrated 18 games between 1927 and 1945 in Istanbul Football League and Milli Küme.[11]

Coaching career

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

Honours

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Player

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Galatasaray

Beşiktaş

Coach

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Beşiktaş

References

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  1. ^ "Refik Osman Top - national football team player" (in Turkish). eu-football.info. Retrieved 19 July 2015.
  2. ^ "Refik Osman Top" (in Turkish). Retrieved 19 July 2015.
  3. ^ "REFİK OSMAN TOP - R-S-Ş - davutpasa1926sk".
  4. ^ Sivaslı, Ahmet (3 January 2015). "'Osmanlı Melekleri' Ezber Bozuyor" (in Turkish). Al Jazeera Turkish Edition. Retrieved 19 July 2015.
  5. ^ Yüce, Mehmet. "Eski Dostlar, Eski Maçlar..." (in Turkish). mackolik.com. Retrieved 19 July 2015.
  6. ^ "İstanbul Ligi 1923-1924" (in Turkish). turkfutbolu.net. Archived from the original on 3 October 2013. Retrieved 19 July 2015.
  7. ^ "Dev Rekabetten İlginç Notlar" (in Turkish). TRT Spor. 25 May 2015. Retrieved 19 July 2015.
  8. ^ "G.Saray-Beşiktaş rekabetinden ilginç notlar" (in Turkish). Milliyet. 26 January 2013. Retrieved 19 July 2015.
  9. ^ Gürel, Murat (4 January 2015). "Beşiktaş Galatasaray "Ezeli Rekabet"" (in Turkish). Sabah. Archived from the original on 24 September 2015. Retrieved 19 July 2015.
  10. ^ "Soviet Union Defeated Turkey 3:0, 16 November 1924". eu-football.info. Retrieved 19 July 2015.
  11. ^ "Refik Osman Top" (in Turkish). mackolik.com. Retrieved 19 July 2015.

Bibliography

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Books
  • Yüce, Mehmet (2015). İdmancı Ruhlar: Futbol Tarihimizin Klasik Devreleri: 1923-1952 Türkiye Futbol Tarihi - 2. Cilt (in Turkish). Istanbul: İletişim Yayınları. ISBN 9789750516955.
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