Kemal "Kem" Izzet (; born 29 September 1980) is an English football coach and former professional player. He most notably played for Colchester United between 2001 and 2013, where he made over 400 league appearances. He was previously on the books at Charlton Athletic but failed to break into the first-team setup at The Valley. He spent three years with Needham Market after leaving Colchester.
Izzet started his career with Premier League club Charlton Athletic and played in the youth system. However, he did not break into the first team at Charlton Athletic. He had previously played for London-based Sunday league side Senrab alongside Jermain Defoe, Ledley King, Jlloyd Samuel, John Terry and Bobby Zamora.
In February 2001, Izzet went on trial with the Second Division side Reading, alongside Anthony Allman. The following month, he joined Colchester United on a one-month loan period.
After quickly impressing the club's reserve team, Izzet made his Colchester United debut, coming on as a 31st-minute substitute, in a 3âÂÂ1 win against Luton Town on 31 March 2001. Just into making two appearances for the club, he joined Colchester United on a permanent basis. Having set a target to score his first goal for the club, Izzet's target came true when he scored the equalising goal, in a 2âÂÂ2 draw against Peterborough United on 17 April 2001. After the match, he said: "Now I've opened my account I hope it's the first of many." However, in a 2âÂÂ1 win against Reading on 28 April 2001, Izzet suffered an injury and did not play for the rest of the 2000âÂÂ01 season. At the end of the 2000âÂÂ01 season, he made six appearances and scoring once in all competitions.
At the start of the 2001âÂÂ02 season, Izzet was given Colchester United's number 10 shirt following the departure of Steve McGavin. He began to establish himself in the first team, playing in the midfield position. On 21 August 2001, Izzet scored his first goal of the season, which turned out to be a winning goal against Portsmouth in the first round of the League Cup. The club's manager Steve Whitton praised both and Thomas PinaultâÂÂs performances, due to "their skillful and competitive midfields in the league". On 18 September 2001, he scored his first league goal of the season, in a 2âÂÂ1 win against Oldham Athletic. Izzet scored on 13 October 2001 and 16 October 2001 against Blackpool and Swindon Town respectively. However, during the FA Cup match against York City, he suffered a damaged ankle ligaments and was substituted in the 38th minute, as Colchester United drew 0âÂÂ0. After being out for a month, Izzet returned from injury, coming on as a 64th-minute substitute, in a 3âÂÂ2 win against Northampton Town on 26 December 2001. Later that year, he was linked with Ipswich Town and Leicester City but was happy to stay with the club. Following his return from injury, Izzet said his aim was to help Colchester United reach the Second Division playâÂÂoffs and resumed his place in the first team. He also began to play "wearing a lightweight cast to protect his broken wrist injury". On 2 March 2002, he scored his fifth goal of the season, in a 4âÂÂ1 loss against Oldham Athletic. On 19 March 2002, Izzet ended the transfer speculation by signing a long-term contract with the club. In his first full season at Colchester United, he made fortyâÂÂfive appearances and scoring five goals in all competitions.
Despite suffering from a minor back injury at the start of the 2002âÂÂ03 season, Izzet continued to remain in the first team, playing in the midfield position. He then scored his first goals of the season, in a 2âÂÂ0 win against Chesterfield on 18 October 2002. Throughout October, Izzet played through with a broken wrist and it was emerged in lateâÂÂNovember that saw him out for weeks. On 14 December 2002, he made his return from his injury, starting the whole game, in a 2âÂÂ1 win against Luton Town. Izzet scored on 26 December 2002 and 28 December 2002 against Peterborough United and Blackpool respectively. He, once again, scored on 15 March 2003 and 18 March 2003 against Huddersfield Town and Chesterfield. Izzet scored his seventh goal of the season, in a 1âÂÂ0 win against Swindon Town two weeks later on 29 March 2003. He scored his eighth goal of the season, in a 3âÂÂ0 win against Cardiff City on 19 April 2003. At the end of the 2002âÂÂ03 season, Izzet made fortyâÂÂeight appearances and scoring eight goals in all competitions. For his performances, he finished second place in Colchester United/Evening Gazette Supporters' Player-of-the-Year. But Izzet won his second award for the club's Young Player of the Year. Reflecting on his injury, he said: "Let's hope all my troubles are behind me now. I had quite a big piece of bone taken off my hip and grafted into the wrist and although I can't move it at all everything is going well. The doctors tell me the bone will quickly grow back on my hip again and I should be as good as new in two to three weeksâ time.âÂÂ
Ahead of the 2003âÂÂ04 season, Izzet said he could not wait for the new season, while also recovering from his injuries. Izzet continued to remain in the first team, playing in the midfield position. However, in midâÂÂOctober, he suffered an injury that saw him out for one match. But Izzet made his return from injury, starting the whole game, in a 2âÂÂ0 loss against Grimsby Town on 18 October 2003. However, his return was shortâÂÂlived when he suffered an injury and was out for one match. But on 22 November 2003, Izzet returned from injury, coming on as a 59th-minute substitute, in a 4âÂÂ0 loss against Rushden & Diamonds. On 31 January 2004, he scored an equalising goal in the 89th minute to earn Colchester United a point, in a 1âÂÂ1 draw against Tranmere Rovers. Izzet scored on 17 February 2004 and 21 February 2004 against Southend United and Grimsby Town respectively. Following the match, he said his aim is to help the club aim for a place in the Second Division promotion play-off. A month later, on 20 March 2004, Izzet scored an equalising goal, in an eventual 2âÂÂ1 loss against Brighton & Hove Albion. On 21 April 2004, he signed a twoâÂÂyear contract extension with Colchester United. At the end of the 2003âÂÂ04 season, Izzet went on to make fiftyâÂÂsix appearances and scoring three goals in all competitions.
However, at the start of the 2004âÂÂ05 season, Izzet suffered a stomach muscle problem and ankle injury that saw him out for months. By October, he made a recovery from his injuries and fully fit to make a first team return. On 16 October 2004, Izzet made his return from injury, starting the whole game, in a 1âÂÂ1 draw against Blackpool. Following his return from his injuries, he said his determination to score more goals for Colchester United. However, Izzet missed most of the 2004âÂÂ05 season owing to an ankle injury that required surgery. By April, he made his return to training and was working towards his recovery. Izzet made his return from his injury, coming on as an 84th-minute substitute, on the last game of the season against Torquay United and helped the club win 2âÂÂ1. At the end of the 2004âÂÂ05 season, he made four appearances in all competitions.
Izzet recovered for the 2005âÂÂ06 season and regained his first team place, playing in the midfield position. On 9 October 2005, he set up a winning goal for Greg Halford, who scored twice, in a 2âÂÂ1 win against Blackpool. By December, Izzet's form soon dipped and was dropped to the substitute bench. Despite this, he remained a key member of the team that challenged for promotion that season. However, Izzet suffered ankle injury in February that saw him out for a month. On 3 March 2006, he signed a contract extension with Colchester United. On 4 March 2006, Izzet made his return from injury, starting the match, in a 3âÂÂ0 loss against Southend United. However, his return was shortâÂÂlived when he received a straight red card in the 87th minute, in a 1âÂÂ0 loss against Oldham Athletic on 11 March 2006 and served a one match suspension. By April, Izzet suffered ankle injury that saw him out for a month. On the last game of the season against Yeovil Town, he came on as a 76th-minute substitute and played the remainder of the match, in a 0âÂÂ0 draw, a result that saw the club promoted to the Championship. At the end of the 2005âÂÂ06 season, Izzet made fortyâÂÂone appearances in all competitions.
Ahead of the 2006âÂÂ07 season, Izzet believed that Colchester United have two âÂÂseret weaponsâ to compete in the Championship and is looking to play more in the first team. Since the start of the 2006âÂÂ07 season, he continued to regain his first team place, playing in the midfield position alongside Kevin Watson. Izzet also began to suffer from goal drought that saw him score goals for the club. He then scored his first Championship goal, in a 1âÂÂ1 draw against Birmingham City on 3 February 2007. This was his first goal in over three years. Since the start of the 2006âÂÂ07 season, Izzet played in every league matches for Colchester United until he missed one match, due to him picking up five yellow cards this season. After serving a one match suspension, Izzet returned to the starting lineâÂÂup, in a 0âÂÂ0 draw against Burnley on 24 February 2007. Following his return, he helped the club achieved a 10th-place finish in the league, defying the odds and a club record best ever league finish. At the end of the 2006âÂÂ07 season, Izzet made fortyâÂÂseven appearances and scoring once in all competitions.
Ahead of the 2007âÂÂ08 season, Izzet revealed that he had talks with Colchester United over a new contract. At the start of the 2007âÂÂ08 season, Izzet continued to be in the first team regular, playing in the midfield position. His performance against Preston North End on 29 August 2007 resulted in him being named Coca-Cola Championship's Team of the Week, alongside Wayne Brown. However, during a match against Blackpool, on 22 September 2007, he suffered a knock and was substituted at halfâÂÂtime. But Izzet quickly recovered and scored his first goal of the season, in a 4âÂÂ2 win against Queens Park Rangers on 3 October 2007. Since the start of the 2007âÂÂ08 season, he was featured in every league matches until missing one match, due to picking up his fifth booking of the season. After serving a one match suspension, Izzet returned to the starting lineâÂÂup, in a 1âÂÂ1 draw against Norwich City on 15 December 2007. However, in the club's second meeting against Queens Park Rangers on 22 December 2007, Izzet suffered a finger injury and was substituted in the 36th minute, as Colchester United loss 2âÂÂ1. After being out for two matches, he returned to the first team, coming on as a secondâÂÂhalf substitute, in a 2âÂÂ1 win against Charlton Athletic on 1 January 2008. After a lengthy negotiations, Izzet signed a contract extension with the club on 28 January 2008. At that time, he was Colchester United's second longest serving player behind Karl Duguid. However, Izzet was unable to help the club avoid relegation to League One, as they finished 24th place in the league. At the end of the 2007âÂÂ08 season, he went on to make forty appearances and scoring once in all competitions.
Ahead of the 2008âÂÂ09 season, Izzet said he expressed his optimism to help Colchester United bounce back and help the club win the promotion. Izzet captained Colchester United for the first time against Huddersfield Town on 16 August 2008 and led the club to a 0âÂÂ0 draw. Since the start of the 2008âÂÂ09 season, he continued to be in the first team regular, playing in the midfield position. On 21 October 2008, he scored his first goal of the season, in a 2âÂÂ1 loss against Millwall. However, the following month saw Izzet suffer a shoulder injury that saw him out for one match. On 22 November 2008, he made his return from injury, starting the whole game, in a 2âÂÂ1 loss against Peterborough United. In a followâÂÂup match against Yeovil Town, Izzet suffered a hamstring injury and was substituted at halfâÂÂtime. But he recovered and appeared as a 73rd-minute substitute, in a 2âÂÂ1 win against Northampton Town on 29 November 2008. In February 2009, Izzet then missed one match due to picking up five yellow cards this season. After serving a one match suspension, he returned to the starting lineâÂÂup, in a 2âÂÂ0 loss against Walsall on 14 February 2009. The following saw Izzet captain in a number of matches for Colchester United. Despite his optimism, the club were unsuccessful of their attempts to bounce back to the Championship. At the end of the 2008âÂÂ09 season, he went on to make fortyâÂÂeight appearances and scoring once in all competitions. By the end of the 2008âÂÂ09 season, Izzet had made over 330 league and cup appearances for Colchester United.
In the opening game of the 2009âÂÂ10 season, Izzet set up Colchester United's seventh goal of the game, in a 7âÂÂ1 victory against Colchester's recently relegated rivals Norwich City. However, in a match against Southampton on 5 September 2009, he received a straight red card in a 36th minute for a violent conduct on Adam Lallana, in a 0âÂÂ0 draw. After serving a three match suspension, Izzet returned to the starting lineâÂÂup, in a 3âÂÂ0 win against Charlton Athletic on 29 September 2009. By the end of the year, he found himself out of the first team, due to injuries on three separate occasions. On 25 February 2010, Izzet signed a contract extension with the club, keeping him until 2012. Shortly after, he missed one match as a result of his absent. Izzet made his return to the starting lineâÂÂup, in a 0âÂÂ0 draw against Brighton & Hove Albion on 8 March 2010. However, his return was shortâÂÂlived when he missed two matches after picking up his tenth booking of the season. After serving a two match suspension, Izzet made his return to the starting lineâÂÂup, in a 3âÂÂ3 draw against Brentford on 23 March 2010. At the end of the 2009âÂÂ10 season, he made fortyâÂÂone appearances in all competitions.
In the 2010âÂÂ11 season, it was announced that Izzet was named as a new captain of Colchester United. He set up a goal for Andy Bond, in a 1âÂÂ1 draw against Sheffield Wednesday on 14 August 2010. On 28 September 2010, Izzet made his 345th league appearance for the club, in a 2âÂÂ2 draw against Dagenham & Redbridge. Since the start of the 2010âÂÂ11 season, he started in every matches for Colchester United, playing in the midfield position. However, Izzet suffered injuries on two separate occasions by the end of the year. After being dropped for two matches, Izzet returned to the starting lineâÂÂup for a match against Oldham Athletic on 22 March 2011 and set up a goal for Ashley Vincent, who scored the only goal of the game. At the end of the 2010âÂÂ11 season, he went on to make fortyâÂÂseven appearances in all competitions. Shortly after, Izzet was inducted into Colchester's Hall of Fame in 2011 prior to the final game of the season for his testimonial year.
The first two matches of the 2011âÂÂ12 season saw Izzet assisted on 6 August 2011 and 9 August 2011 against Preston North End and Wycombe Wanderers respectively. However, Colchester United's poor form in defence prompted Izzet to acknowledge the mistakes for his responsibilities. Since the start of the 2011âÂÂ12 season, Izzet rotated between the starting lineâÂÂup and substitute bench. By February, he soon regained his place in the first team despite being out on three separate occasions along the way. On 3 March 2012, Izzet made his 400th league appearance for Colchester United, in a 3âÂÂ0 win against Preston North End. At the end of the 2011âÂÂ12 season, he went on to make thirtyâÂÂeight appearances in all competitions. Shortly after, Izzet was named CUSA home player-of-the-season. On 3 July 2012, he signed a new contract, having made over 400 league appearances since signing in 2001 and just played his testimonial season.
In the 2012âÂÂ13 season, Izzet continued to remain as the captain of Colchester United. However, at the start of the 2012âÂÂ13 season, he found himself place on the substitute bench, as well as, his own injury concern. Izzet was out further when he suffered a hip injury that saw him out for six weeks. On 15 December 2012, he made his return from injury, starting the match, in a 1âÂÂ0 loss against AFC Bournemouth. Two weeks later, on 26 December 2012, Izzet set up the club's only goal of the game, in a 3âÂÂ1 loss against Brentford. However, his return was shortâÂÂlived when he suffered ankle injury that kept him out for a month. But on 26 February 2013, Izzet returned from injury, playing for Colchester United's reserve team, in a 4âÂÂ3 loss against Ipswich Town's reserve team. Izzet did not play for the club again until the last game of the season against Carlisle United, coming on as a late substitute, in a 2âÂÂ0 win, a result that saw Colchester United retain their League One status. At the end of the 2012âÂÂ13 season, he went on to make twelve appearances in all competitions.
Izzet brought an end to his 12-year stay with Colchester United on 2 September 2013, leaving the club by mutual consent. He left Colchester United having received his testimonial in 2012 and a runners-up medal from the club's promotion to the Championship in 2006. Having failed to make an appearance for the first-team in the 2013âÂÂ14 season, Izzet decided to end his long association with the U's in order to look for regular football at a new club.
After leaving Colchester, Izzet joined local Isthmian League Division One North club Needham Market on 10 September, beginning his time with the club on the bench alongside fellow ex-U's player Jamie Guy. Despite interest from Football League clubs including Exeter City, he instead chose to invest his financial settlement agreed with Colchester after ending his contract in setting up a football school business, with help from financial advisor and Needham Market manager Mark Morsley.
Izzet scored on his debut for the club, in a 2âÂÂ1 win against Brantham Athletic in the first qualifying round of the FA Cup on 14 September 2013. On 19 October 2013, he scored his second goal for Needham Market, in a 2âÂÂ1 loss against Redbridge. Since joining the club, Izzet became a first team regular, playing in the midfield position, as well as, captain. A month later, on 23 November 2013, he scored his third goal of the season, in a 4âÂÂ0 win against Waltham Abbey. Three weeks later, on 11 December 2013, Izzet scored his fourth goal of the season, in a 4âÂÂ0 win against Waltham Forest. Two months later, on 21 February 2014, he scored his fifth goal of the season from a penalty spot, in a 2âÂÂ1 win against Heybridge Swifts. Izzet then scored from a penalty spot on 9 April 2014, 12 April 2014 and 15 April 2014 against Erith & Belvedere, Tilbury and A.F.C. Sudbury respectively. At the end of the 2013âÂÂ14 season, he went on to make fortyâÂÂone appearances and scoring eight goals in all competitions.
In the 2014âÂÂ15 season, Izzet continued to be a first team regular for Needham Market, playing in the midfield position, as well as, retaining his captaincy. On 23 August 2014, he scored his first goal of the season, coming from a penalty spot, before being sentâÂÂoff for a second bookable offence, in a 5âÂÂ3 win against Tilbury. On 11 October 2014, Izzet scored his second goal of the season, coming from a penalty spot, in a 2âÂÂ1 loss against Witham Town. On 1 November 2014, he scored his third goal of the season, coming from a penalty spot, in a 5âÂÂ0 win against Burnham Ramblers. On 7 February 2015, Izzet scored his fourth goal of the season, coming from a penalty spot, in a 6âÂÂ2 win against Romford. On 3 March 2015, he scored his fifth goal of the season, coming from a penalty spot, in a 1âÂÂ0 win against Tilbury. On the last game of the season, Izzet scored from a penalty spot, in a 5âÂÂ0 win against Chatham Town, resulting in Needham Market winning the Ryman Division One North title. At the end of the 2014âÂÂ15 season, he made fortyâÂÂfive appearances and scoring six goals in all competitions.
At the start of the 2015âÂÂ16 season, Izzet scored from a penalty spot, in a 3âÂÂ3 draw against Tonbridge Angels on 15 August 2015. He then scored his second goal of the season, coming from a penalty spot, in a 4âÂÂ2 loss against Harrow Borough on 19 September 2015. However, Izzet suffered Achilles injury that saw him out for weeks. After returning from injury, he continued to remain in the first team, playing in the midfield position. On 12 December 2015, Izzet scored his third goal of the season, coming from a penalty spot, in a 3âÂÂ2 loss against Enfield Town. On 5 April 2016, he scored his fourth goal of the season, coming from a penalty spot, in a 2âÂÂ1 win against Canvey Island. At the end of the 2015âÂÂ16 season, Izzet made thirtyâÂÂfour appearances and scoring four goals in all competitions. After making 120 appearances and scoring 16 goals, Izzet left the club after his role as academy manager was effectively removed following restructuring. But he remained as a player due to having one year left to his contract and was placed on a transfer list instead.
The start of the 2016âÂÂ17 season saw Izzet out with an injury. After being out for a month, he scored on his return, scoring from a penalty spot, in a 2âÂÂ0 win against Lowestoft Town on 11 October 2016. After the match, manager Mark Morsley praised his performance and his return form. Izzet scored two more goals by the end of the year, both coming from penalties against Hendon and A.F.C. Sudbury. He later scored twice against Bognor Regis Town, both coming from penalties, on two separate occasions on 17 January 2017 and 25 February 2017. Izzet soon won his place in the first team, playing in the midfield position. He scored the penalty and helped Needham Market beat Leiston 4âÂÂ2 on penalties to reach the Suffolk Premier Cup final. It was announced on 14 April 2017 that Izzet would be leaving the club at the end of the 2016âÂÂ17 season, which he said he want to leave Needham Market with a bang by reaching the playâÂÂoffs. On 8 May 2017, Izzet led the club to win the Suffolk Premier Cup final by beating Lowestoft Town 3âÂÂ2, in what turns out to be his last appearance for Needham Market. Following this, he retired from professional football.
Izzet was also studying towards his UEFA B Licence in the latter stages of his Colchester career and continued working toward coaching badge with Needham. In January 2014, he opened his first football school called Kem Izzet Soccer Academy. In December 2014, Izzet was appointed as a new manager of Brantham Athletic centre, having also worked for Football Careers Centre (FCC).
On 11 May 2017, Izzet was appointed manager of Eastern Counties League club Stanway Rovers as player manager. He was joined by his former teammate, Karl Duguid as the assistant manager. Izzet said his aim is to "put heavy emphasis on youth development" at Stanway Rovers.
His first match as manager came on 29 July 2017, in a 3âÂÂ1 loss against Thetford Town. On 27 October 2017, Izzet led the club to a 9âÂÂ0 win against Wivenhoe Town. He led Stanway Rovers to the League Challenge Cup semi-finals, but the club was eliminated by Brantham Athletic. Izzet led Stanway Rovers to an eighth-place finish, which saw the club was transferred to the Essex Senior League.
At the end of the 2017âÂÂ18 season, Izzet left Stanway. Following this, he was appointed as a new first team coach at East Thurrock United.
Izzett was appointed manager of Brightlingsea Regent on 15 October 2019.
His first match in charge as manager of Brightlingsea Regent came on 19 October 2019, losing 3âÂÂ0 against Worthing. The club soon found themselves in a relegation zone in Izzet's first two months as a Brightlingsea Regent manager. His first win as a manager of the club came on 7 December 2019, in a 2âÂÂ1 win against Corinthian-Casuals. However, Brightlingsea Regent's poor form continued to see the club placed in the relegation zone. Despite expressing his optimism of Brightlingsea Regent's chances of avoiding relegation, the 2019âÂÂ20 season ended early because of the COVID-19 pandemic.
However, Izzet left Brightlingsea Regent on 19 October 2020, seven games into the 2020âÂÂ21 season.
Izzet's father is a Turkish Cypriot, who came to England as a small boy, and his mother is English. His elder brother, Muzzy Izzet, was a Turkish international footballer. According to Kemel, their father pushed both him and Muzzy into becoming footballers, due to his passion of the sport. After scoring a brace against Chesterfield on 18 October 2002, he dedicated his goals to his brother. Izzet also spoke about his brother, saying: " I'm just going to concentrate on my own game and approach it like any other match. I can't get caught up in the comparisons with my brother. I've just got to give my all for Colchester. I'm proud of what my brother has achieved and if I could do half of that I will be happy."
Izzet is good friends with teammate, Karl Duguid. He is married and together, they have three children. In October 2019, Izzet underwent a hip operation.
Colchester United
Needham Market