Two Gashead’s meet in Cyprus

By Richard Beale…

We have been planning this for a while a chance to meet another Gashead (nickname of a Bristol Rovers supporter), yes there are two Gashead’s in Cyprus!

So the meeting took place last Saturday March 2nd in Famagusta where Steve Comer and I introduced ourselves and began swapping stories of Bristol Rovers, Bristol and Cyprus.

We were also here for a special reason a chance to watch an ex Bristol Rovers player the ‘Turkish Messi” ERHUN ÖZTÜMER who had a loan spell at Rovers in season 2020-21. I suppose it’s fair to say, we didn’t see the best of “Ozzy” playing in a struggling side, having injuries, and contracting Covid, he still made 25 appearances scoring 1 goal in that season. He won’t be classed as a “legend” but he has worn the famous blue and white quarters and he will always be fondly remembered.

After leaving the UK Erhun played a couple of seasons in Turkey, before joining Northern Cyprus club Mağusa Türk Gücü in September 2023. MTG are the current TRNC Super League Champions in fact they have won the title for the last 4 seasons (allowing for one season not played due to Covid). They are currently in second place, one point behind Cihangir.

Chatting to ERHUN ÖZTÜMER

Before the match with Gençlik Gücü, we managed to have a brief chat with him and he obliged with us with a couple of photos.

He said he was enjoying his football in Cyprus where his family are from, has fond memories of Rovers especially Joey Barton “what character a proper footballing man” was his words.

Mağusa won the match comfortably 5-2, Erhun operating mainly in the centre of midfield, using his experience spraying the ball around . He had a couple of shots brilliantly saved by the opposing goalkeeper and looked a class act thoroughly enjoying his football in a successful team.

I remember Erhun playing for Walsall at the Memorial Stadium a few seasons ago and he completely destroyed us, the ball seemed to be tied to his foot, leaving players in his wake.

Steve and I hope to meet up again to take in another MTG match before the season ends.

All in all, a pleasant afternoon exchanging Bristol Rovers stories.

If you would like to see more pictures please visit my Facebook page.