Mohamed Bettamer
{{short description|English-born Libyan footballer (born 1993)}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=March 2025}}
{{Infobox football biography
|name = Mohamed Bettamer
|image =
|full_name = Mohamed Abdelkadir Bettamer{{Cite web|url=https://www.isthmian.co.uk/archive6552-match-info/statistics|title=Premier Division Goal scorers – The Pitching In Isthmian Football League|website=www.isthmian.co.uk}}
|birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1993|4|1|df=y}}
|birth_place = Camden, England
|position = Forward
|currentclub = Al Tahaddy
|clubnumber = 16
|youthyears1 =
|youthclubs1 = Arsenal
|youthyears2 =
|youthclubs2 = Queens Park Rangers
|youthyears3 =
|youthclubs3 = Fulham
|youthyears4 =
|youthclubs4 = Kingsbury London Tigers
|years1 = 2010
|clubs1 = Kingsbury London Tigers
|caps1 =
|goals1 =
|years2 = 2010–2011
|clubs2 = Watford
|caps2 = 0
|goals2 = 0
|years3 = 2011
|clubs3 = London Tigers
|caps3 =
|goals3 =
|years4 = 2011–2012
|clubs4 = Hayes & Yeading United
|caps4 = 7
|goals4 = 0
|years5 = 2012
|clubs5 = → Bedfont Town (loan)
|caps5 = 1
|goals5 = 0
|years6 = 2012
|clubs6 = North Greenford United
|caps6 = 2
|goals6 = 0
|years7 = 2012
|clubs7 = London Tigers
|caps7 =
|goals7 =
|years8 = 2012–2013
|clubs8 = Hampton & Richmond Borough
|caps8 =
|goals8 =
|years9 = 2013–2016
|clubs9 = Al-Ahly Benghazi
|caps9 =
|goals9 =
|years10 = 2016–2018
|clubs10 = Staines Town
|caps10 = 82
|goals10 = 39
|years11 = 2018
|clubs11 = Braintree Town
|caps11 = 15
|goals11 = 6
|years12 = 2018–2019
|clubs12 = Barnet
|caps12 = 3
|goals12 = 0
|years13 = 2019
|clubs13 = → Welling United (loan)
|caps13 = 6
|goals13 = 2
|years14 = 2019
|clubs14 = → Hemel Hempstead Town (loan)
|caps14 = 4
|goals14 = 0
|years15 = 2019–2022
|clubs15 = Aldershot Town
|caps15 = 75
|goals15 = 14
|years16 = 2022
|clubs16 = → Maidstone United (loan)
|caps16 = 5
|goals16 = 0
|years17 = 2022–2024
|clubs17 = Hayes & Yeading United
|caps17 = 25
|goals17 = 6
|years18 = 2022–2023
|clubs18 = → Concord Rangers (loan)
|caps18 = 26
|goals18 = 7
|years19 = 2023–2024
|clubs19 = → Chelmsford City (loan)
|caps19 = 15
|goals19 = 3
|years20 = 2024–2025
|clubs20 = Asswehly
|caps20 = 2
|goals20 = 0
|years21 = 2025–
|clubs21 = Al Tahaddy
|caps21 = 8
|goals21 = 0
|nationalyears1 =
|nationalteam1 = Libya U18
|nationalcaps1 =
|nationalgoals1 =
|nationalyears2 =
|nationalteam2 = Libya U20
|nationalcaps2 =
|nationalgoals2 =
|nationalyears3 =
|nationalteam3 = Libya U23
|nationalcaps3 =
|nationalgoals3 =
|nationalyears4 = 2018
|nationalteam4 = Barawa
|nationalcaps4 = 4
|nationalgoals4 = 2
|nationalyears5 = 2020–
|nationalteam5 = Libya
|nationalcaps5 = 4
|nationalgoals5 = 1
|club-update = 08:41, 20 May 2025 (UTC)
|nationalteam-update = 10:50, 11 September 2024 (UTC)
}}
Mohamed Abdelkadir Bettamer ({{langx|ar|محمد عبد القادر بالتمر}}; born 1 April 1993) is a professional footballer who plays as a forward for Libyan Premier League club Al Tahaddy.
Born in England, he represents Libya at international level.
Early and personal life
Bettamer was born in Camden,{{Cite web|url=http://www.footballsquads.co.uk/eng/2019-2020/national/alder.htm|title=FootballSquads – Aldershot Town – 2019/2020|website=www.footballsquads.co.uk}} to a Libyan father and a Moroccan mother.{{Cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/54872315|title=Switching Aldershot for a Libya debut|work=BBC Sport}} Bettamer still has family members living in the Bohdema area of Benghazi.{{cite web|url=https://forum.kooora.com/?t=30481295|title=لقاء حصري مع اللاعب الليبي محمد بالتمر|publisher=Kooora|accessdate=24 October 2023}}
Club career
Bettamer began his career with Arsenal, before moving to Queens Park Rangers at under-11 level. Bettamer later joined Fulham at under-14 level.
Bettamer began his senior career Kingsbury London Tigers, where he made played in the youth team. In 2010 he joined Watford on a one-year scholarship but was not offered a professional contract. He then returned to London Tigers before joining Hayes & Yeading United, making his debut in November 2011.{{Cite web|url=http://www.hyufc.com/features/a_z/hyufc.html|title=Hayes & Yeading United Football Club – A-Z of Hayes & Yeading United|website=www.hyufc.com}} Bettamer was unable to hold down a first team spot with the Conference Premier side and joined Bedfont Town on loan before being released in March 2012.{{Cite web|url=http://www.getwestlondon.co.uk/sport/other-sport/bedfont-capture-uniteds-ex-watford-libyan-5982024|title=Bedfont capture United's ex-Watford Libyan international|first=Tim|last=Street|date=17 November 2011|website=MyLondon}} He then spent the remainder of the season with North Greenford United. He played with Hampton & Richmond Borough in 2012–13,{{Cite web|url=http://www.aylesburyunitedfc.co.uk/players/mohamed-bettamer|title=Mohamed Bettamer Profile | Aylesbury United FC|website=www.aylesburyunitedfc.co.uk}} before trials at Dagenham & Redbridge,{{Cite web|url=http://www.getwestlondon.co.uk/sport/other-sport/dagenham--redbridge-eye-boro-5965692|title=Dagenham & Redbridge eye Boro striker|first=Tim|last=Street|date=13 July 2013|website=MyLondon}} and Maidenhead United.{{Cite web|url=https://www.sloughexpress.co.uk/news/15785/Maidenhead-United-players-encouraged-to-have.html|title=Maidenhead United players encouraged to have a little self belief|website=www.sloughexpress.co.uk}} He then joined Al-Ahly (Benghazi) in Libya on a three-year contract, with whom he reached the quarter-finals of the CAF Champions League. Due to the civil war in Libya, leading to the suspension of the domestic league in the country, he was unable to play during the final two years of his contract.{{Cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u5AdjAjbi18|title=MOHAMED BETTAMER- The Benchwarmers Podcast (Season 2 Episode 35)|via=www.youtube.com}} After it expired, he then joined Staines Town, with whom he scored 42 goals in 89 games.{{Cite web|url=https://www.footballwebpages.co.uk/staines-town/appearances/mohamed-bettamer/336062|title=Staines Town | Appearances | Mohamed Bettamer | Football Web Pages|website=www.footballwebpages.co.uk}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.theshots.co.uk/new-signing-shots-sign-bettamer/|title=NEW SIGNING: Shots sign Bettamer! | Aldershot Town FC|date=3 October 2019}} He signed a pre-contract agreement with Stevenage in the summer of 2018, but with no contract on the table he joined Braintree Town on a non-contract basis, before a move to Salford City fell through.{{Cite web|url=https://www.theshots.co.uk/the-big-interview-mo-bettamer/|title=THE BIG INTERVIEW: Mo Bettamer | Aldershot Town FC|date=11 June 2020}}
=Barnet=
Bettamer signed for Barnet on 9 November 2018.{{Cite web|url=https://www.barnetfc.com/news/2018/november/transfer--mohamed-bettamer-signs-for-barnet-fc/|title=Transfer | Mohamed Bettamer signs for Barnet FC|website=www.barnetfc.com}} Two days later Bettamer made his debut on 11 November 2018 in the FA Cup against League One club Bristol Rovers which finished 1–1 and required a replay.{{Cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/46087404|title=Barnet 1–1 Bristol Rovers|work=BBC Sport}} His National League debut for Barnet came in the away game against Hartlepool United helping the team to a 3–1 win.{{Cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/46167877|title=Hartlepool United 1–3 Barnet|work=BBC Sport}} Subsequently Bettamer was then loaned out to Welling United and Hemel Hempstead Town.{{soccerway|mohamed-bettamer/216034|accessdate=11 November 2020}}
=Aldershot Town=
He signed for Aldershot Town on a free transfer from Barnet in October 2019. He joined Maidstone United on a one month loan in January 2022.{{Cite web|url=https://www.theshots.co.uk/loan-move-mo-bettamer-joins-maidstone-united-on-loan/|title=LOAN MOVE: Mo Bettamer joins Maidstone United on loan | Aldershot Town FC|date=25 January 2022}} On 26 February 2022, the loan was extended for a further month.{{Cite web |url=https://www.theshots.co.uk/loan-extended-mo-bettamers-loan-move-to-maidstone-united-has-been-extended/ |title=LOAN EXTENDED: Mo Bettamer's loan move to Maidstone United has been extended |publisher=Aldershot Town FC |date=26 February 2022 |accessdate=28 February 2022}} Bettamer was released by the club at the end of the 2021–22 season.{{cite web|url=https://www.theshots.co.uk/aldershot-town-announce-full-retained-and-released-list/|title=Aldershot Town announce full retained and released list|website=www.theshots.co.uk|date=18 May 2022|accessdate=18 May 2022}}
=Hayes & Yeading return=
In July 2022, Bettamer returned to Hayes & Yeading United.{{cite tweet|number=1551915242161991683|title=LEGS ELEVEN Striker Mo Bettamer is the next to sign. Experienced striker, who made 9 appearances in 2011/12 before moving on to make considerable impacts at Staines Town, Barnet and latterly Aldershot Town, from where he signs. Expected to lead the line with Moses Emmanuel.|user=HYUFC_Official|author-link=Hayes & Yeading United F.C.|date=26 July 2022|accessdate=27 July 2022}} In November 2022, he joined Concord Rangers on loan, a deal that was later extended until the end of the season.{{cite tweet|user=ConcordRangers|number=1613581621369896967|title=We are delighted to announce that Mohamed Bettamer has signed on loan until the end of the season}} On 2 June 2023, Bettamer joined Chelmsford City on loan.{{cite web|url=https://chelmsfordcityfc.com/bettamer-joins-on-loan/|title=Bettamer joins on loan from Hayes & Yeading United|publisher=Chelmsford City F.C.|date=2 June 2023|accessdate=2 June 2023}} On 31 January 2024, after five goals in 21 appearances in all competitions for Chelmsford, Bettamer was recalled by Hayes & Yeading.{{cite web|url=https://chelmsfordcityfc.com/bettamer-recalled-whilst-dunne-extended/|title=Bettamer recalled whilst Dunne extended|publisher=Chelmsford City F.C.|date=31 January 2024|accessdate=31 January 2024}}
=Return to Libya=
In August 2024, Bettamer returned to Libya to join Asswehly.{{cite tweet|number=1824898693515874322|title=Delighted to finally announce that i have signed for @swehlyclub 🔴⚪️ Back home 🇱🇾 and looking forward to the new season #Alhamduillah #letsgetit|user=MoBettz|author-link=Mohamed Bettamer|date=17 August 2024|accessdate=18 August 2024}} In February 2025 he joined Al Tahaddy.
International career
He has represented Libya at under-18, under-20 and under-23 youth levels. He was called-up by the senior team in November 2020. He debuted for the senior Libya national team in a 3–2 2021 Africa Cup of Nations qualification loss to Equatorial Guinea on 11 November 2020, scoring his team's second goal in his debut.{{Cite web|url=https://www.cafonline.com/total-africa-cup-of-nations/2021/news/equatorial-guinea-leaves-it-late-to-beat-libya-in-cairo|title=Equatorial Guinea leaves it late to beat Libya in Cairo|first=CAF-Confedération Africaine du|last=Football|website=CAFOnline.com}}
At the 2018 CONIFA World Football Cup, he represented the Barawa football team, scoring twice in five games. As he was added to the team after the tournament started, and as he was not of Somali descent, his inclusion caused a controversy which resulted in the Ellan Vannin football team, who had protested, to be disqualified from the tournament.{{Cite web|url=https://www.prostamerika.com/2018/11/10/mo-bettamer-the-man-who-nearly-brought-conifa-to-a-standstill-lands-on-his-feet-at-barnet/203272/|title=Mo Bettamer – The man who got a country expelled from ConIFA lands on his feet at Barnet|access-date=10 March 2023}}
Playing style
Primarily a centre forward, Bettamer can also play as a left winger.
Career statistics
=Club=
{{updated|end of 2022-23 season}}
| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
|+ Appearances and goals by club, season and competition | ||||||||||
| rowspan="2"|Club
!rowspan="2"|Season !colspan="3"|League !colspan="2"|National cup{{efn|Includes FA Cup}} !colspan="2"|League cup{{efn|Includes EFL Cup}} !colspan="2"|Other !colspan="2"|Total | ||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Division | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals |
| Kingsbury London Tigers
|SSML Premier Division |colspan="10"|No data currently available | ||||||||||
| London Tigers
|SSML Premier Division |colspan="10"|No data currently available | ||||||||||
| Hayes & Yeading United
|7 | 0 | colspan="2"|— | colspan="2"|— | 1{{efn|name=FAT|Appearance(s) in FA Trophy}} | 0 | 8 | 0 | |||
| Bedfont Town (loan)
|SFL Division One Central |1 | 0 | colspan="2"|— | colspan="2"|— | colspan="2"|— | 1 | 0 | ||||
| North Greenford United
|SFL Division One Central |2 | 0 | colspan="2"|— | colspan="2"|— | colspan="2"|— | 2 | 0 | ||||
| London Tigers
|SSML Premier Division |colspan="10"|No data currently available | ||||||||||
| Hampton & Richmond Borough
|Isthmian League Premier Division |colspan="10"|No data currently available | ||||||||||
| Al-Ahly Benghazi
|2013–14{{citation needed|date=March 2025}} |colspan="6"|No data currently available | 8{{efn|Appearances in CAF Champions League}} | 0 | ||||||||
| rowspan="3"|Staines Town
|2016–17{{Cite web|url=https://www.footballwebpages.co.uk/staines-town/appearances/2016-2017/mohamed-bettamer/336062|title=Staines Town | Appearances | Mohamed Bettamer | 2016-2017 | Football Web Pages|website=www.footballwebpages.co.uk}} |Isthmian League Premier Division |40 | 12 | 3 | 2 | colspan="2"|— | 1{{efn|name=FAT}} | 1 | 44 | 15 | ||
| 2017–18{{Cite web|url=https://www.footballwebpages.co.uk/staines-town/appearances/2017-2018/mohamed-bettamer/336062|title=Staines Town | Appearances | Mohamed Bettamer | 2017-2018 | Football Web Pages|website=www.footballwebpages.co.uk}}
|Isthmian League Premier Division |42 | 27 | 1 | 0 | colspan="2"|— | 2{{efn|One appearance in FA Trophy, one appearance in Alan Turvey Trophy}} | 0 | 45 | 27 | ||
| colspan="2"|Total
!82 | 39 | 4 | 2 | colspan="2"|— | 3 | 1 | 89 | 42 | ||
| Braintree Town
|15 | 6 | 0 | 0 | colspan="2"|— | 0 | 0 | 15 | 6 | ||
| rowspan="3"|Barnet
|National League |3 | 0 | 2 | 0 | colspan="2"|— | 3{{efn|One appearance in FA Trophy, two appearances in Middlesex Senior Cup}} | 0 | 8 | 0 | ||
| 2019–20
|National League |0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | colspan="2"|— | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | ||
| colspan="2"|Total
!3 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 8 | 0 | |
| Welling United (loan)
|6 | 2 | 0 | 0 | colspan="2"|— | 3{{efn|Two appearances in National League South playoffs, one appearance and one goal in London Senior Cup}} | 1 | 9 | 3 | ||
| Hemel Hempstead Town (loan)
|National League South |4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | colspan="2"|— | 0 | 0 | 4 | 0 | ||
| rowspan="4" valign="center"|Aldershot Town
|National League |19 | 5 | 1 | 1 | colspan="2"|— | 2{{efn|One appearance in FA Trophy, one appearance and two goals in Hampshire Senior Cup}} | 3 | 22 | 9 | ||
| 2020–21
|National League |40 | 8 | 1 | 1 | colspan="2"|— | 3{{efn|name=FAT}} | 3 | 44 | 12 | ||
| 2021–22
|National League |16 | 1 | 1 | 0 | colspan="2"|— | 0 | 0 | 17 | 1 | ||
| colspan="2"|Total
!75 | 14 | 3 | 2 | colspan="2"|— | 5 | 6 | 83 | 22 | ||
| Maidstone United (loan)
|National League South |5 | 0 | 0 | 0 | colspan="2"|— | 0 | 0 | 5 | 0 | ||
| Hayes & Yeading United
|2022–23{{cite web | url=https://southern-football-league.co.uk/Player-Display/104619/2022/2023 | title=Google }}{{Cite web|url=https://www.footballwebpages.co.uk/hayes-and-yeading-united/appearances/mo-bettamer/943423|title=Hayes & Yeading United | Appearances | Mo Bettamer | Football Web Pages|website=www.footballwebpages.co.uk}} |SFL Premier Division South |11 | 2 | 3 | 0 | colspan="2"|— | 2{{efn|name=FAT}} | 0 | 17 | 2 | ||
| Concord Rangers (loan)
|National League South |26 | 7 | 0 | 0 | colspan="2"|— | 0 | 0 | 26 | 7 | ||
| colspan="3"|Career total
!237 | 70 | 12 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 25 | 8 | 275 | 82 |
{{notelist}}
=International=
{{updated|match played 10 September 2024}}{{NFT player|80343|accessdate=12 November 2020}}
| class=wikitable style="text-align: center"
|+ Appearances and goals by national team and year | |||
| National team | Year | Apps | Goals |
|---|---|---|---|
| rowspan="2"|Libya
|2020 | 2 | 1 | |
| 2024 | 2 | 0 | |
| colspan="2"|Total | 4 | 1 |
:Scores and results list Libya's goal tally first.
| class="wikitable" style="font-size:100%;"
! No. !! Date !! Venue !! Opponent !! Score !! Result !! Competition | ||||||
| 1. | 11 November 2020 | Al Salam Stadium, Cairo, Egypt | {{fb|EQG}} | {{center|2–1}} | {{center|2–3}} | 2021 Africa Cup of Nations qualification |
References
{{reflist}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Bettamer, Mohamed}}
Category:English men's footballers
Category:Libyan men's footballers
Category:London Tigers F.C. players
Category:Hayes & Yeading United F.C. players
Category:Bedfont Town F.C. players
Category:North Greenford United F.C. players
Category:Hampton & Richmond Borough F.C. players
Category:Al Ahly SCSC (Benghazi) players
Category:Staines Town F.C. players
Category:Braintree Town F.C. players
Category:Welling United F.C. players
Category:Hemel Hempstead Town F.C. players
Category:Aldershot Town F.C. players
Category:Maidstone United F.C. players
Category:Concord Rangers F.C. players
Category:Chelmsford City F.C. players
Category:Men's association football forwards
Category:Libya men's youth international footballers
Category:Libya men's international footballers
Category:English people of Libyan descent
Category:English people of Moroccan descent
Category:Sportspeople of Moroccan descent
Category:Libyan people of Moroccan descent
Category:Footballers from the London Borough of Camden
Category:National League (English football) players
Category:Isthmian League players
Category:Southern Football League players
Category:Libyan Premier League players