Yilmaz Orhan
Encyclopedia
Yilmaz Orhan is a former football forward who played professionally in the United States and England.
Spotted by Terry Matthews while playing for Aveley
, Orhan made his First Division
debut for West Ham United in January 1976. He made eight league appearances, and featured in one cup game, but failed to score while with the club.
In April 1977, Orhan moved to Team Hawaii
for the franchise's single season in the North American Soccer League
. In 1978, he signed with the Houston Hurricane
, but was traded to the San Diego Sockers during the season. He played through the 1980 outdoor season with the Sockers. He played on loan to the Hartford Hellions
for the 1979-1980 Major Indoor Soccer League season. In the fall of 1980, he left the Sockers and dedicated himself to indoor soccer. That fall, he signed with the St. Louis Steamers
. He moved to the Buffalo Stallions
for the 1981-1982 season. In 1982, he moved to the Kansas City Comets
. In October 1983, the Comets put Orhan up for a trade after an altercation with the team's trainer. The team eventually waived him and he signed with the Memphis Americans
. In 1984, the Americans moved to Las Vegas for the 1984-1985 season. The Americans released him at the end of the season. During the off-season, Orhan served his four-month sentence for drunken driving which led to his showing late to the Baltimore Blast with whom he had signed during the off season. In March 1986, the Blast sold Orhan's contract to the Pittsburgh Spirit
. In the fall of 1986, he moved to the Kansas City Comets
in 1987. He played five games for the Kansas City Comets
before being released. He then signed with the Louisville Thunder
of the American Indoor Soccer Association for the remainder of the season. In October 1987, he signed with the Milwaukee Wave
.
Spotted by Terry Matthews while playing for Aveley
Aveley F.C.
Aveley F.C. are an English football club based in the town of Aveley, Essex. The club are currently members of the Isthmian League Premier Division and play at the Mill Field.-Club history:...
, Orhan made his First Division
Football League First Division
The First Division was a division of The Football League between 1888 and 2004 and the highest division in English football until the creation of the Premier League in 1992. The secondary tier in English football has since become known as the Championship....
debut for West Ham United in January 1976. He made eight league appearances, and featured in one cup game, but failed to score while with the club.
In April 1977, Orhan moved to Team Hawaii
Team Hawaii
Team Hawaii was a soccer team based out of Honolulu that played in the NASL. The team only lasted one year, 1977. Their home field was Aloha Stadium. Previous to Hawai'i, the team played as the San Antonio Thunder. After leaving Hawai'i, the franchise became known as the Tulsa Roughnecks.-1977...
for the franchise's single season in the North American Soccer League
North American Soccer League
North American Soccer League was a professional soccer league with teams in the United States and Canada that operated from 1968 to 1984.-History:...
. In 1978, he signed with the Houston Hurricane
Houston Hurricane
The Houston Hurricane was a soccer team based out of Houston that played in the NASL. They played from 1978 to 1980. Their home field was the Astrodome. Their colors were orange, white and red....
, but was traded to the San Diego Sockers during the season. He played through the 1980 outdoor season with the Sockers. He played on loan to the Hartford Hellions
Hartford Hellions
The Hartford Hellions were a soccer team based out of Hartford, Connecticut that played in the Major Indoor Soccer League. They played from 1979 to 1981. The Hellions played their first season in the New Haven Coliseum before moving to the remodelled Hartford Civic Center.In May 1981, Athletes in...
for the 1979-1980 Major Indoor Soccer League season. In the fall of 1980, he left the Sockers and dedicated himself to indoor soccer. That fall, he signed with the St. Louis Steamers
St. Louis Steamers (1979–1988)
The original St. Louis Steamers played in the original Major Indoor Soccer League from 1979 through 1988. Their home fixtures were held at the St. Louis Arena.-Ownership:* Ben Kerner & Partnership * Thomas M...
. He moved to the Buffalo Stallions
Buffalo Stallions
The Buffalo Stallions were a soccer team based out of Buffalo, New York that played in the Major Indoor Soccer League from 1979 to 1984. Their home arena was Buffalo Memorial Auditorium.-History:...
for the 1981-1982 season. In 1982, he moved to the Kansas City Comets
Kansas City Comets
The Kansas City Comets were a professional indoor soccer team based for most of its existence in Kansas City, Missouri. They played in the original Major Indoor Soccer League from 1979–1991, when they folded...
. In October 1983, the Comets put Orhan up for a trade after an altercation with the team's trainer. The team eventually waived him and he signed with the Memphis Americans
Memphis Americans
The Memphis Americans were a soccer team based out of Memphis, Tennessee that played in the old Major Indoor Soccer League. They played from 1981 to 1984. Their home arena was the Mid-South Coliseum....
. In 1984, the Americans moved to Las Vegas for the 1984-1985 season. The Americans released him at the end of the season. During the off-season, Orhan served his four-month sentence for drunken driving which led to his showing late to the Baltimore Blast with whom he had signed during the off season. In March 1986, the Blast sold Orhan's contract to the Pittsburgh Spirit
Pittsburgh Spirit
Pittsburgh Spirit were an indoor soccer team based out of Pittsburgh and were one of the original six teams that played in the Major Indoor Soccer League...
. In the fall of 1986, he moved to the Kansas City Comets
Kansas City Comets
The Kansas City Comets were a professional indoor soccer team based for most of its existence in Kansas City, Missouri. They played in the original Major Indoor Soccer League from 1979–1991, when they folded...
in 1987. He played five games for the Kansas City Comets
Kansas City Comets
The Kansas City Comets were a professional indoor soccer team based for most of its existence in Kansas City, Missouri. They played in the original Major Indoor Soccer League from 1979–1991, when they folded...
before being released. He then signed with the Louisville Thunder
Louisville Thunder
Louisville Thunder was an indoor soccer club based in Louisville, Kentucky that competed in the American Indoor Soccer Association. In their debut season of 1984-1985, goalkeeper Rick Schweizer won the 'Goalkeeper of the Year' award, and made it on to the All-Star team.-Players: Paul DiBernardo ...
of the American Indoor Soccer Association for the remainder of the season. In October 1987, he signed with the Milwaukee Wave
Milwaukee Wave
The Milwaukee Wave is an American professional indoor soccer team based in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA. Founded in 1984 they are the oldest continuously operating professional soccer team in North Americaand a member of the Major Indoor Soccer League....
.
External links
- West Ham Player List, retrieved December 29, 2006
- NASL/MISL stats