He was the embodiment of the word "VETERAN," with each letter written in bold and large fonts.
With his sportsmanship that could make the English jealous and his generosity, he was not just a football player. He was BEYTULLAH BALİÇ, who had carved a place in the hearts of all Altınordu fans.
Like many footballers, his football journey began in the streets in the years 1944-45.
The neighborhood team, Altınpark, with the same colors as Altınordu, red and navy, played competitive matches. Altınpark and Anafartalar, the two semi-independent teams of the Basmane district, were the sources of the youth development for Altınordu.
Everything started on Sunday, June 8, 1947, in Manisa.
Altınordu was going to play a friendly match with Manisa-Sakarya Gençlik Club, founded in 1931. Captain Adil Bümen, Hüseyin bey, Halil bey, and Niyazi Muslu, older Altınordu players, took young Beytullah and his Altınpark teammate İsmail Sezmener (Gandi İsmail) with them.
17-year-old Beytullah Baliç would guard the Altınordu goal.
The match ended in a 2-2 draw.
Towards the end of 1948, Beytullah Baliç obtained his license for Altınordu. Our legend's first match with the A-team was against Karşıyaka, playing as a right winger. He played in some matches during the 1948-49 season. A year later, he went to the military and joined İzmir Karagücü. After completing his military service, he returned to Altınordu in 1951.
Beytullah Baliç's chronological football periods are as follows:
- 1948-50 Altınordu
- 1950-51 İzmir Karagücü
- 1951-52 Altınordu
- 1952-53 Yün Mensucat
- 1953-55 Altınordu
- 1955-56 Adana Milli Mensucat
- 1956-1962 Altınordu
Beytullah Baliç, with his speed and agile dribbles, played in every position, including goalkeeper, for a total of 11 years.
In the Baliç family, who were part of the Altınordu family, his brothers Abdullah, Hamit, and his brother Adem Baliç also played for Altınordu.
In the 1959-60 season, Beytullah Baliç scored his first goal for Altınordu in the 1st League by heading it into Karşıyaka's net.
In an interview, Beytullah Baliç described the goal he will never forget as follows:
"In order to earn the right to participate in the dam matches in Bursa, matches were being played among the last six teams in Izmir. Our situation was critical. We played against Demirspor. We had to leave the match with at least a draw to be able to go to Bursa. The final minutes of the match approached, and we were losing 2-1. Finally, the last minute of the match arrived. We won a free kick from 30 meters. This was our last chance. With great anxiety, responsibility, and fear, I prepared to take the free kick. I was tense. I shot. I could hear the referee's final whistle, the sound of the crowd cheering for the goal, and my teammates embracing me. I had saved my team by scoring a goal from the free kick."
After his active football career ended, Beytullah Baliç also took on coaching duties at Altınordu for many years. Responding to all Altınordu fans' calls of "Come on, Beyto," he took his place in the club's dugout, which he loved so much.
Beytullah Baliç served as a coach at Altınordu in the 1971-72, 1972-73, 1973-74, 1974-75, and 1983-84 seasons.
