Muzaffer Badalıoğlu

Muzaffer Badalıoğlu — Biography

Muzaffer Badalıoğlu was a footballer who stood out in the defence of Zonguldakspor and Samsunspor for his hard, combative play and was known by the nickname "Kasap" (the Butcher). His name is also tied to the darkest day in Samsunspor's history, the traffic accident of 20 January 1989, and he is in the club's all-time best eleven as chosen by supporters.

He began his professional career in 1978-79 at his hometown club Zonguldakspor, playing 185 matches and scoring eight goals in seven seasons. At just 18 he played his first national-team match, against Romania, and across the age categories he was capped 23 times. He played 90 minutes for the senior side against Hungary on 22 September 1982, and his last international was for the Olympic team against Norway on 6 May 1987. In 1985-86 he moved to Samsunspor, played 98 matches (one goal) in three and a half seasons and was a key figure in the title race. Over ten and a half professional seasons he received five red cards, and heavy challenges involving Raşit Çetiner and Erdal Keser, both out for a long time afterwards, added to the nickname.

On 20 January 1989 he died in the bus accident the Samsunspor party suffered at Havza on the way to an away match in Malatya; he is remembered every year at his grave in Zonguldak.