HMT Samsunspor was formed in July 2023 in memory of the chairperson’s late father, ‘HMT’. Built on the principles of family, legacy, and impact, the team engages in charitable and community activities, alongside playing competitive football. In line with our commitment to ‘legacy’ and ‘impact’, we represent Turkish Süper Lig side Samsunspor, whose logo features the greatest Turkish leader, by wearing and championing their ‘no to violence against women’, purple, gender equality kits.

Hüseyin Mehmet Türkan, ‘HMT’, was a respected and valued business, family, and community man. Alongside his international transport business, HMT sponsored and chaired/presided over several Turkish community football teams. He was an avid supporter of charities, particularly dog shelters and children’s education charities in Turkey and North Cyprus. As an HMT Samsunspor family, we quote ‘following in your footsteps’ as our motto.

North Middlesex Hospital University Hospital Trust has been a constant in the Türkan family, with all three of HMT and his wife’s children born at the hospital. Over the years, HMT and his family received various aspects of their healthcare at the institution, and unfortunately, this was where HMT was cared for before passing away on the morning of the 13th of April 2020. Even during the stressful, uncertain, and restricted times of the pandemic, North Mid staff were supportive in connecting the Türkan family to HMT virtually and by taking in cards and personal belongings.

Upon meeting with North Mid staff in September 2020, the Türkan siblings found out just how emotive a time this was for all staff involved. We are grateful to all healthcare workers for their contributions to the care given to our loved ones during such a horrific time for so many.

As such, alongside our charitable relationships with IVAR dog shelter in North Cyprus and CATI/ROOF Homeless charity in the UK, we are looking forward to launching our first (hopefully not last) campaign with North Mid Charity, through which we hope not only to raise vital funds but also raise awareness of important healthcare messaging and shed light on the fantastic and courageous hospital and charity workforce.

We are proud of our HMT players and staff for supporting such impactful causes and hope that we can continue to positively impact not only the Turkish and Turkish Cypriot communities but also the diverse communities our team represents!