Habib Beye
Encyclopedia
Habib Beye is a French
born Senegal
ese footballer who plays for Doncaster Rovers
on loan from Aston Villa
and for the Senegal national team
. His primary position is as a right back in defence, whilst he is also able to play in central defence.
in 1998 for an undisclosed amount.
in 1998, Beye made his league debut on 8 August 1998 in a home 0–0 draw against Olympique Lyonnais
, and played a total of 23 times in his first season at the club. He missed just five league matches in the following season, and netted for the first time on 2 October 1999 in a 2–2 home draw with Bordeaux
. He was a member of the RC Strasbourg
side that won the 2001 French Cup, eventually defeating third division Amiens SC
in a penalty shoot-out, whilch helped his team achieve UEFA Cup
qualification in the following season. He appeared a total of 134 times in the league for Strasbourg, scoring 8 goals, before moving to Marseille in 2003, a move which surprised many as he was a firm favourite at RC Strasbourg
and had established himself as a key player there.
and UEFA Cup
football. He was a key player for the Marseille
side that reached the 2004 UEFA Cup Final
, a run which involved him putting in a star performance as a central defender against (his now former team) Newcastle United, where he was particularly effective against Newcastle’s talisman striker Alan Shearer
. He ended up on the losing side as Marseille lost the Final
to Valencia
2–0. He was also a beaten finalist in the 2006 French Cup against former club Paris Saint-Germain, a match which his team lost 2–1, and again in 2007 when his Marseille team lost on penalties to FC Sochaux. His time with Marseille was a successful one where he established himself as one of the most accomplished defenders
in France
's top tier and was voted the fans’ Player of the Year in 2006. He was captain of Marseille for two years prior to his move to Newcastle United.
declaring that he was very pleased with the transfer. Allardyce said in a later interview on the clubs website that he felt he acquired Beye for a "bargain" price and that him and his international colleague who also signed with him, Abdoulaye Diagne-Faye
would be excellent signings for Newcastle.
He made his Newcastle debut on 17 September 2007, as a substitute in Newcastle’s 1–0 defeat at Derby County
. He then made his full debut at home to West Ham United
, a display which impressed many Newcastle fans. He has since been a fixture in the first team, and scored his first goal for Newcastle in the 2–1 win against Birmingham City
on 8 December, with a near-post header in second-half injury time.
His ability to defend well and provide a good outlet going forward have enamored him to the Newcastle faithful and a number of terrace songs have been heard, starting with a chant of his name to the tune of Happy Days
first heard at Fulham
.
His status as a cult hero was cemented by the creation of the tongue-in-cheek fan site Beyewatch
On 22 May 2008 Beye was named Newcastle player of the season based on fan votes to a poll organised by the Evening Chronicle
, he was then named the official Newcastle player of the season on 23 May 2008, as well as being named the Newcastle United Disabled Supporters Association Player of the Season on 22 August.
After missing the start of the 2008/09 season
from injury, Beye started against Manchester City
on 20 October 2008. He was sent off after only 12 minutes for a challenge on Robinho
, the first red card of his Newcastle career. Newcastle appealed the red card and on 23 October the claim of wrongful dismissal was upheld. After Newcastle were relegated from the Premier League at the conclusion of the 2008/09 season, an article on the clubs official website stated Beye's intention to remain at the club to help get them back into the Premier League.
However, the continuing problems behind the scenes at Newcastle would lead to Beye stating that he would have to leave the club in order to save his career.
chairman Paul Duffen
revealing that the Tigers had agreed a fee with Newcastle United to sign Beye on 6 August 2009, it was announced the following day that Beye had signed for Aston Villa
. Beye was substituted late into his Villa debut on the opening day of the 2009–10 season, a 2–0 defeat to Wigan Athletic
. He was sent off near the end of his third game for Villa in an away tie against West Ham United
. Beye has found it hard to break into the Villa first team with the likes of Carlos Cuéllar
and Luke Young ahead of him in the pecking order and has often found himself restricted to bench appearances.
since 2001, and has 35 caps and one goal. He made substitute appearances in Senegal's matches in the 2002 FIFA World Cup
, against Denmark
, Uruguay
and Sweden
. He retired from international football in an effort to concentrate on his club career following a shambolic Africa Cup of Nations by Senegal in 2008, though he was then called up for a friendly against Libya
on 20 August 2008, meaning that he had either not retired or chosen to come out of it.
Number 21 at newcastle
Marseille:
Aston Villa
France
The French Republic , The French Republic , The French Republic , (commonly known as France , is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan France...
born Senegal
Senegal
Senegal , officially the Republic of Senegal , is a country in western Africa. It owes its name to the Sénégal River that borders it to the east and north...
ese footballer who plays for Doncaster Rovers
Doncaster Rovers F.C.
Doncaster Rovers Football Club is an English football club, based at the Keepmoat Stadium in Doncaster, South Yorkshire. The team currently competes in the Football League Championship, after being promoted via the League One play-offs in 2008, and have remained there since.The club was founded in...
on loan from Aston Villa
Aston Villa F.C.
Aston Villa Football Club is an English professional association football club based in Witton, Birmingham. The club was founded in 1874 and have played at their current home ground, Villa Park, since 1897. Aston Villa were founder members of The Football League in 1888. They were also founder...
and for the Senegal national team
Senegal national football team
The Senegal national football team, nicknamed the Lions of Teranga, is the national team of Senegal and is controlled by the Fédération Sénégalaise de Football...
. His primary position is as a right back in defence, whilst he is also able to play in central defence.
Paris Saint-Germain
He joined Paris Saint-Germain in 1997, though he progressed no further than the reserve side, playing in the national fifth division. He transferred at the end of the season to RC StrasbourgRC Strasbourg
Racing Club de Strasbourg is a French association football club founded in 1906 and professional since 1933, based in the city of Strasbourg, in Alsace...
in 1998 for an undisclosed amount.
RC Strasbourg
Following his summer move to RC StrasbourgRC Strasbourg
Racing Club de Strasbourg is a French association football club founded in 1906 and professional since 1933, based in the city of Strasbourg, in Alsace...
in 1998, Beye made his league debut on 8 August 1998 in a home 0–0 draw against Olympique Lyonnais
Olympique Lyonnais
Olympique Lyonnais is a French association football club based in Lyon. They play in France's highest football division, Ligue 1. The club was formed as Lyon Olympique Universitaire in 1899, according to many supporters and sport historians, but was nationally established as a club in 1950. The...
, and played a total of 23 times in his first season at the club. He missed just five league matches in the following season, and netted for the first time on 2 October 1999 in a 2–2 home draw with Bordeaux
FC Girondins de Bordeaux
Football Club des Girondins de Bordeaux is a French association football club based in the city of Bordeaux. The club currently play in Ligue 1, the first division of French football, and won its last Ligue 1 title in the 2008–09 season....
. He was a member of the RC Strasbourg
RC Strasbourg
Racing Club de Strasbourg is a French association football club founded in 1906 and professional since 1933, based in the city of Strasbourg, in Alsace...
side that won the 2001 French Cup, eventually defeating third division Amiens SC
Amiens SC
Amiens Sporting Club is a French association football club based in Amiens. The club was formed in 1901 and currently play in Ligue 2, the second level of French football. The club plays its home matches at the Stade de la Licorne located within the city...
in a penalty shoot-out, whilch helped his team achieve UEFA Cup
UEFA Cup
The UEFA Europa League is an annual association football cup competition organised by UEFA since 1971 for eligible European football clubs. It is the second most prestigious European club football contest after the UEFA Champions League...
qualification in the following season. He appeared a total of 134 times in the league for Strasbourg, scoring 8 goals, before moving to Marseille in 2003, a move which surprised many as he was a firm favourite at RC Strasbourg
RC Strasbourg
Racing Club de Strasbourg is a French association football club founded in 1906 and professional since 1933, based in the city of Strasbourg, in Alsace...
and had established himself as a key player there.
Olympique Marseille
Beye signed for Marseille in the summer of 2003 for a reported €2.5million, by then manager Alain Perrin. In his opening season with the club, he took part in both UEFA Champions LeagueUEFA Champions League
The UEFA Champions League, known simply the Champions League and originally known as the European Champion Clubs' Cup or European Cup, is an annual international club football competition organised by the Union of European Football Associations since 1955 for the top football clubs in Europe. It...
and UEFA Cup
UEFA Cup
The UEFA Europa League is an annual association football cup competition organised by UEFA since 1971 for eligible European football clubs. It is the second most prestigious European club football contest after the UEFA Champions League...
football. He was a key player for the Marseille
Marseille
Marseille , known in antiquity as Massalia , is the second largest city in France, after Paris, with a population of 852,395 within its administrative limits on a land area of . The urban area of Marseille extends beyond the city limits with a population of over 1,420,000 on an area of...
side that reached the 2004 UEFA Cup Final
2004 UEFA Cup Final
The 2004 UEFA Cup Final was played on May 19, 2004 at Gothenburg, between Valencia CF of Spain and Olympique de Marseille of France. Valencia won the match 2-0 thanks to goals from Vicente and Mista...
, a run which involved him putting in a star performance as a central defender against (his now former team) Newcastle United, where he was particularly effective against Newcastle’s talisman striker Alan Shearer
Alan Shearer
Alan Shearer OBE, DL is a retired English footballer. He played as a striker in the top level of English league football for Southampton, Blackburn Rovers, Newcastle United and for the England national team...
. He ended up on the losing side as Marseille lost the Final
2004 UEFA Cup Final
The 2004 UEFA Cup Final was played on May 19, 2004 at Gothenburg, between Valencia CF of Spain and Olympique de Marseille of France. Valencia won the match 2-0 thanks to goals from Vicente and Mista...
to Valencia
Valencia CF
Valencia Club de Fútbol is a Spanish football club based in Valencia, Spain. They play in La Liga and are one of the most successful and biggest clubs in Spanish Football and European Football. Valencia have won six La Liga titles, seven Copa del Rey trophies, two Fairs Cups which was the...
2–0. He was also a beaten finalist in the 2006 French Cup against former club Paris Saint-Germain, a match which his team lost 2–1, and again in 2007 when his Marseille team lost on penalties to FC Sochaux. His time with Marseille was a successful one where he established himself as one of the most accomplished defenders
Defender (football)
Within the sport of association football, a defender is an outfield player whose primary role is to prevent the opposition from attacking....
in France
France
The French Republic , The French Republic , The French Republic , (commonly known as France , is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan France...
's top tier and was voted the fans’ Player of the Year in 2006. He was captain of Marseille for two years prior to his move to Newcastle United.
Newcastle United
Beye signed for Newcastle United for a fee of £2million (€3million) on 31 August 2007, during the closing minutes of the summer transfer window. He signed a 3 year contract, with then Newcastle manager Sam AllardyceSam Allardyce
Samuel "Sam" Allardyce , nicknamed "Big Sam", is an English football manager and former professional player. In June 2011 he was appointed as manager of West Ham United....
declaring that he was very pleased with the transfer. Allardyce said in a later interview on the clubs website that he felt he acquired Beye for a "bargain" price and that him and his international colleague who also signed with him, Abdoulaye Diagne-Faye
Abdoulaye Diagne-Faye
Abdoulaye Diagne-Faye , more commonly known as Abdoulaye Faye, is a Senegalese footballer who plays for Championship club West Ham United...
would be excellent signings for Newcastle.
He made his Newcastle debut on 17 September 2007, as a substitute in Newcastle’s 1–0 defeat at Derby County
Derby County F.C.
Derby County Football Club is an English football based in Derby. the club play in the Football League Championship and is notable as being one of the twelve founder members of the Football League in 1888 and is, therefore, one of only ten clubs to have competed in every season of the English...
. He then made his full debut at home to West Ham United
West Ham United F.C.
West Ham United Football Club is an English professional football club based in Upton Park, Newham, East London. They play in The Football League Championship. The club was founded in 1895 as Thames Ironworks FC and reformed in 1900 as West Ham United. In 1904 the club relocated to their current...
, a display which impressed many Newcastle fans. He has since been a fixture in the first team, and scored his first goal for Newcastle in the 2–1 win against Birmingham City
Birmingham City F.C.
Birmingham City Football Club is a professional association football club based in the city of Birmingham, England. Formed in 1875 as Small Heath Alliance, they became Small Heath in 1888, then Birmingham in 1905, finally becoming Birmingham City in 1943.They were relegated at the end of the...
on 8 December, with a near-post header in second-half injury time.
His ability to defend well and provide a good outlet going forward have enamored him to the Newcastle faithful and a number of terrace songs have been heard, starting with a chant of his name to the tune of Happy Days
Happy Days
Happy Days is an American television sitcom that originally aired from January 15, 1974, to September 24, 1984, on ABC. Created by Garry Marshall, the series presents an idealized vision of life in mid-1950s to mid-1960s America....
first heard at Fulham
Fulham F.C.
Fulham Football Club is a professional English Premier League club based in southwest London Fulham, in the London Borough of Hammersmith and Fulham. Founded in 1879, they play in the Premier League, their 11th current season...
.
His status as a cult hero was cemented by the creation of the tongue-in-cheek fan site Beyewatch
On 22 May 2008 Beye was named Newcastle player of the season based on fan votes to a poll organised by the Evening Chronicle
Evening Chronicle
The Evening Chronicle is a daily, evening newspaper produced in Newcastle upon Tyne, covering Tyne and Wear, southern Northumberland and northern County Durham. It was founded in 1885 by Joseph Cowen...
, he was then named the official Newcastle player of the season on 23 May 2008, as well as being named the Newcastle United Disabled Supporters Association Player of the Season on 22 August.
After missing the start of the 2008/09 season
2008–09 in English football
The 2008–09 season was the 129th season of competitive football in England.-Overview:* West Bromwich Albion, Stoke City and Hull City were all playing in the Premier League after winning promotion from the Championship last season. Stoke returned to the top flight after a 23-year absence, while...
from injury, Beye started against Manchester City
Manchester City F.C.
Manchester City Football Club is an English Premier League football club based in Manchester. Founded in 1880 as St. Mark's , they became Ardwick Association Football Club in 1887 and Manchester City in 1894...
on 20 October 2008. He was sent off after only 12 minutes for a challenge on Robinho
Robinho
Robson de Souza , more commonly known as Robinho, is a Brazilian professional footballer who currently plays as second striker and winger for Serie A club AC Milan...
, the first red card of his Newcastle career. Newcastle appealed the red card and on 23 October the claim of wrongful dismissal was upheld. After Newcastle were relegated from the Premier League at the conclusion of the 2008/09 season, an article on the clubs official website stated Beye's intention to remain at the club to help get them back into the Premier League.
However, the continuing problems behind the scenes at Newcastle would lead to Beye stating that he would have to leave the club in order to save his career.
Aston Villa
Despite Hull CityHull City A.F.C.
Hull City Association Football Club is an English association football club based in Kingston upon Hull, East Riding of Yorkshire, founded in 1904. The club participates in the Football League Championship, the second tier of English football...
chairman Paul Duffen
Paul Duffen
Paul Jeremy Duffen is the ex-chairman of Hull City A.F.C. and was formerly Chief Executive Officer of Catalyst Media Group plc , where other board members included Sir David Frost and Steven Smith...
revealing that the Tigers had agreed a fee with Newcastle United to sign Beye on 6 August 2009, it was announced the following day that Beye had signed for Aston Villa
Aston Villa F.C.
Aston Villa Football Club is an English professional association football club based in Witton, Birmingham. The club was founded in 1874 and have played at their current home ground, Villa Park, since 1897. Aston Villa were founder members of The Football League in 1888. They were also founder...
. Beye was substituted late into his Villa debut on the opening day of the 2009–10 season, a 2–0 defeat to Wigan Athletic
Wigan Athletic F.C.
Wigan Athletic Football Club is an English Premier League Association football club based in Wigan, Greater Manchester, having been promoted from the Championship in 2005. Wigan's current spell in the Premier League is the only top flight run in the club's history.They have played at the DW...
. He was sent off near the end of his third game for Villa in an away tie against West Ham United
West Ham United F.C.
West Ham United Football Club is an English professional football club based in Upton Park, Newham, East London. They play in The Football League Championship. The club was founded in 1895 as Thames Ironworks FC and reformed in 1900 as West Ham United. In 1904 the club relocated to their current...
. Beye has found it hard to break into the Villa first team with the likes of Carlos Cuéllar
Carlos Cuéllar
Carlos Javier Cuéllar Jiménez is a Spanish footballer who plays for Aston Villa. He is primarily a central defender, but can also operate as a right-back.-Early career:...
and Luke Young ahead of him in the pecking order and has often found himself restricted to bench appearances.
International career
Beye has been a regular in the Senegal national squadSenegal national football team
The Senegal national football team, nicknamed the Lions of Teranga, is the national team of Senegal and is controlled by the Fédération Sénégalaise de Football...
since 2001, and has 35 caps and one goal. He made substitute appearances in Senegal's matches in the 2002 FIFA World Cup
2002 FIFA World Cup
The 2002 FIFA World Cup was the 17th staging of the FIFA World Cup, held in South Korea and Japan from 31 May to 30 June. It was also the first World Cup held in Asia, and the last in which the golden goal rule was implemented. Brazil won the tournament for a record fifth time, beating Germany 2–0...
, against Denmark
Denmark national football team
The Denmark national football team represents Denmark in association football and is controlled by the Danish Football Association , the governing body for the football clubs which are organized under DBU...
, Uruguay
Uruguay national football team
The Uruguayan national football team represents Uruguay in international association football and is controlled by the Uruguayan Football Association, the governing body for football in Uruguay. The current head coach is Óscar Tabárez...
and Sweden
Sweden national football team
The Swedish national football team represents Sweden in association football and is controlled by the Swedish Football Association, the governing body for Football in Sweden. Sweden's home ground is Råsunda Stadium in Stockholms län and their head coach is Erik Hamrén. Sweden made their first...
. He retired from international football in an effort to concentrate on his club career following a shambolic Africa Cup of Nations by Senegal in 2008, though he was then called up for a friendly against Libya
Libya national football team
The Libya national football team is the national association football team of Libya and is controlled by the Libyan Football Federation. The team has never qualified for the senior FIFA World Cup. They have qualified for three Africa Cup of Nations, one in 1982 where they finished runners-up and...
on 20 August 2008, meaning that he had either not retired or chosen to come out of it.
Individual
- Newcastle United Player of the YearNewcastle United F.C.Newcastle United Football Club is an English professional association football club based in Newcastle upon Tyne, Tyne and Wear. The club was founded in 1892 by the merger of Newcastle East End and Newcastle West End, and has played at its current home ground, St James' Park, since the merger...
: 2008
Number 21 at newcastle
Club
Strasbourg:- French Cup Winner: 2001
Marseille:
- French Cup Runner up (2): 2006, 2007
- UEFA CupUEFA CupThe UEFA Europa League is an annual association football cup competition organised by UEFA since 1971 for eligible European football clubs. It is the second most prestigious European club football contest after the UEFA Champions League...
Runner up: 2004
Aston Villa
- League CupLeague CupIn association football, a League Cup or Secondary Cup generally signifies a cup competition for which entry is restricted only to teams in a particular league. The first national association football tournament to be called "League Cup" was held in Scotland in 1946/47 and was entitled the Scottish...
: Runner-up 2010