Hady Ghandour

Hady Ismail Ghandour (/ˈhædi ɡænˈdʊər/ HA-dee gan-DOOR;[3] Arabic: هادي اسماعيل غندور, Lebanese Arabic pronunciation: ['heːdi ɣan'duːr, -de]; born 27 January 2000) is a professional footballer who plays as a forward for National League club Aldershot Town.

In this Lebanese name, the father's name is Ismail and the family name is Ghandour.
Hady Ghandour
Ghandour with Charlton Athletic in 2020
Personal information
Full name Hady Ismail Ghandour[1][2]
Date of birth (2000-01-27) 27 January 2000
Place of birth Westminster, England[1]
Height 1.89 m (6 ft 2 in)
Position(s) Forward
Team information
Current team
 Aldershot Town
Number 23
Youth career
2014–2016 Tripoli
2016–2019 Tooting & Mitcham United
2020–2022 Charlton Athletic
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2018–2020 Tooting & Mitcham United 42 (13)
2020–2022 Charlton Athletic 0 (0)
2021 → Maidstone United (loan) 5 (0)
2022 → Chelmsford City (loan) 4 (0)
2022 → Maidstone United (loan) 10 (2)
2022–2023 Maidstone United 10 (0)
2023– Aldershot Town 1 (0)
International career‡
2015 Lebanon U16 4 (1)
2017 Lebanon U19 2 (0)
2021 Lebanon 1 (0)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 21:17, 28 August 2023 (UTC)
‡ National team caps and goals, correct as of 13:46, 7 September 2021 (UTC)

Coming through the youth system, Ghandour began his senior career at Tooting & Mitcham United in 2018. He moved to Charlton Athletic after two seasons at the club, and was sent on loans to Maidstone United and Chelmsford City. In 2022, Ghandour joined Maidstone United permanently, before joining Aldershot Town the following year.

Born in England, Ghandour is of Lebanese descent. He has represented Lebanon internationally at both youth and senior level, and made his senior debut in the qualifiers for the 2022 FIFA World Cup.

Early life

Born in Westminster, London, England on 27 January 2000,[1] and raised in Chelsea, London, Ghandour holds both English and Lebanese citizenship.[4] His father, Ismail,[5] had moved to the United Kingdom from Tripoli, Lebanon at age 13,[6][7] to study at the Royal Russel School in Croydon, South London.[8] His mother is also from Tripoli.[8]

While living in England, Ghandour used to play for AC Tripoli's youth team in Lebanon during the Easter and summer vacations.[8] Towards the end of his A-Levels, Ghandour trialed for Charlton Athletic;[6] however, he decided to concentrate on his studies.[6] He joined Tooting & Mitcham United in 2016, playing for the U18 and U23 teams.[4]

Club career

2018–19: Debut season

Coming through the youth system,[5] Ghandour made his senior debut for Isthmian League South Central Division side Tooting & Mitcham United on 9 October 2018, against Burgess Hill Town in the Velocity Trophy.[9] His first league game came four days later against Cheshunt.[9] One week later, on 20 October, Ghandour scored his first goal, helping his side beat Egham Town 4–3 away from home in the league.[9] On 23 February 2019, he scored his first brace for Tooting & Mitcham United, against Waltham Abbey in a 2–1 win.[9] Ghandour ended the 2018–19 season with seven goals in 25 league appearances.[9]

2019–20: Four goals in one game

Ghandour's first goal of the 2019–20 season came on 20 August 2019, in a 3–1 home win against Ashford Town.[10] On 7 December 2019, he scored four goals against Chertsey Town, helping his side win 5–0.[10] The player stated in an interview: "It’s just surreal. To score four goals – at any level – is crazy. It doesn’t come around often at all."[6] Ghandour scored six goals in 17 league appearances – seven in 31 in all competitions.[10] For his performances, Ghandour was nominated 2019–20 Tooting & Mitcham United Managers' Player of the Season,[11][12] and Supporters' Most Improved Player of the Season.[12]

2020–21: Professional debut

In January 2020, Ghandour went on an eight-week trial to Championship side Charlton Athletic,[13][14] for whom he had already trialed a few years prior.[6] On 14 August 2020, Ghandour signed for the Charlton Athletic Under-23s on a one-year contract, with an option to extend for a further year.[11][15] On 15 October 2020, he made his debut in the Professional Development League against QPR, becoming the first Lebanese to do so.[16] He played as a winger, helping create Charlton's second goal in a 3–0 win.[16]

Ghandour made his senior professional debut on 10 November 2020, playing as a starter against Leyton Orient in the EFL Trophy.[17] The match ended in a 3–1 win, with Ghandour providing a key pass to help set-up the 1–0 lead.[18] Ghandour scored his first goal for the Under-23s against Bristol City on 30 November 2020, scoring a chip goal following an individual run where he beat three defenders.[19] On 11 January 2021, Ghandour scored a brace for the Under-23s in a 4–0 home win against Cardiff City.[20] Charlton Athletic exercised the option of an extra year on 18 May.[21]

2021–22 season: Loans to Maidstone United and Chelmsford City

Ghandour scored his first goal for Charlton on 24 July 2021, equalising in a 1–1 pre-season friendly draw against Reading.[22] Ghandour made his EFL Cup debut on 10 August, as a starter in a 1–0 defeat against AFC Wimbledon.[23]

On 21 October 2021, Ghandour joined Maidstone United in the National League South on a one-month loan.[24][25] He made his debut on 23 October, as a starter in a 2–0 defeat to Dorking Wanderers.[26] Ghandour finished his loan spell with five games.[27]

Ghandour was once again loaned out to the National League South, joining Chelmsford City on 7 January 2022.[28] He played his first game on 11 January, starting against Bowers & Pitsea in the Essex Senior Cup; City lost on penalty shoot-outs following a 0–0 draw after regular time.[29] Ghandour's first league game came four days later, in a 0–0 home draw against Welling United.[30] On 17 January, he provided an assist in a 1–1 draw against St Albans City.[31] He played five games in the league and cup.[32]

On 11 March 2022, Ghandour returned to Maidstone United on loan for the rest of the 2021–22 season.[33] He made his second debut on 15 March, as an 86th-minute substitute in a 2–0 win against Dulwich Hamlet.[34] Ghandour scored against Chelmsford City on 30 April, to help his side win 3–1; with the three points, Maidstone were mathematically crowned National League South champions.[35] He finished the season with two goals in 10 games for the club.[36]

On 23 May 2022, it was announced that Ghandour was leaving Charlton Athletic at the end of his contract.[37]

Maidstone United

On 21 June 2022, Ghandour signed on a permanent basis with his former loan club Maidstone United ahead of the 2022–23 National League.[38] Ghandour was sidelined throughout September due to an adductor muscle injury.[39] He underwent an operation for a double hernia repair in October, and was due to recover within two to four weeks.[40] On 15 February 2023, the club announced the departure of Ghandour by mutual consent.[41]

Aldershot Town

On 26 April 2023, Ghandour signed for National League club Aldershot Town on a deal until the end of the following season.[42]

International career
Ghandour training with the Lebanon national team in 2021

Youth

Born in England, Ghandour is eligible to represent Lebanon internationally through his parents.[6] In 2015 he made his debut for the Lebanon U16 team, scoring in a friendly game against Syria which Lebanon won 3–2.[8] Ghandour participated in the 2016 AFC U-16 Championship qualifications,[1] playing in all three group stage games.[1] Lebanon failed to qualify to the final tournament, finishing last in their group.[43]

In 2017 Ghandour represented Lebanon U19 at the 2018 AFC Championship qualification, playing against Iraq and Qatar.[1] Regarding his match against the latter, Ghandour stated: "When I played in Qatar it was on TV, so my mum could watch from London. Singing the anthem was an incredible feeling – very emotional. It’s 100 per cent the best thing I’ve ever done".[6] As Lebanon lost both games, they failed to qualify for the final tournament, finishing last in their group.[44]

Ghandour was due to join the Lebanon U23 camp in Iraq in January 2021; however, due to COVID-19 restrictions, he wasn't able to join the national team.[45]

Senior

Ghandour was called up to the senior team ahead of the 2022 FIFA World Cup qualification matches against the United Arab Emirates and South Korea in September 2021.[46] He made his debut on 7 September, coming on as an 85th-minute substitute in a 1–0 defeat to South Korea.[47]

Style of play

Ghandour is a dynamic striker who has also played as a winger on occasion,[8] and can also play as an attacking midfielder.[28] His main characteristics are his work rate and tactical understanding; he "creates space for his team mates", and has been praised for "his hard work" and "dedication to get stronger and fitter".[5]

Upon Ghandour's loan move to Chelmsford, manager Robbie Simpson labelled him as a player who can "score goals" and is a "great runner", who "can play in any of our top three positions".[48]

Personal life

Ghandour is a supporter of English club Leeds United, and his favourite player is Robert Lewandowski, also citing Cristiano Ronaldo as a source of inspiration.[8] Ghandour studied at Cass Business School,[6] and at City, University of London.[49]

Career statistics

Club
As of match played 26 August 2023[36]
Club Season League FA Cup League Cup Other Total
DivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoals
Tooting & Mitcham United 2018–19[9] Isthmian South Central 25700002[lower-alpha 1]0277
2019–20[10] Isthmian South Central 176400010[lower-alpha 2]1317
Total 421340001215814
Charlton Athletic 2020–21 League One 0000001[lower-alpha 3]010
2021–22 League One 0000100010
Total 0000101020
Maidstone United (loan) 2021–22 National League South 50——0050
Chelmsford City (loan) 2021–22 National League South 40——1[lower-alpha 4]050
Maidstone United (loan) 2021–22 National League South 102——00102
Maidstone United 2022–23 National League 10000—1[lower-alpha 5]0110
Aldershot Town 2023–24 National League 1000—0010
Career total 721540101519216
  1. One appearance in Alan Turvey Trophy, one appearance in London Senior Cup
  2. Four appearances one goal in FA Trophy, one appearance in Surrey Senior Cup, three appearances in Alan Turvey Trophy, two appearances in London Senior Cup
  3. One appearance in EFL Trophy
  4. One appearance in Essex Senior Cup
  5. One appearance in FA Trophy

International
As of match 7 September 2021[50]
Appearances and goals by national team and year
National teamYearAppsGoals
Lebanon U16 201541
Lebanon U19 201720
Lebanon 202110
Career total71

Honours

Maidstone United

Individual

See also

References
  1. "Hady Ghandour". Global Sports Archive. Retrieved 7 September 2021.
  2. "EFL – Squad List 2020/21: Charlton Athletic – Under 21 Contract Players" (PDF). English Football League. p. 37. Retrieved 30 April 2021.
  3. Charlton Athletic F.C. [@CAFCofficial] (14 August 2020). "Get to know a bit more about our latest additions to the academy in their own words and the thoughts of Academy Manager, Steve Avory..." (Tweet) – via Twitter.
  4. "Tooting & Mitcham Football Club/FIRST TEAM". T&M United FC. Retrieved 1 March 2020.
  5. Best, Adam (14 August 2020). "Hady Goes Pro". SOUTH LONDON IS BLACK & WHITE. Retrieved 14 August 2020.
  6. Cawley, Richard (13 December 2019). "Tooting hotshot – who concentrated on studies rather than pursuing Charlton trial – on scoring four goals in one game for Tooting & Mitcham and pride at Lebanon international action". South London Press. Retrieved 1 March 2020.
  7. Association, The Football. "This Is Surrey Football: Hady Ghandour Interview". www.surreyfa.com. Retrieved 1 March 2020.
  8. Nehme, Ale (1 December 2020). "Exclusive interview with Hady Ghandour". FA Lebanon. Retrieved 1 December 2020.
  9. "Hady Ghandour | 2018–2019". www.footballwebpages.co.uk. Retrieved 1 March 2020.
  10. "Hady Ghandour | 2019–2020". www.footballwebpages.co.uk. Retrieved 1 March 2020.
  11. "U23S | New arrivals Ghandour and Ness eager to hit the ground running". Charlton Athletic F.C. 14 August 2020. Retrieved 14 August 2020.
  12. "Season Awards 2020". T&M United FC. Retrieved 14 August 2020.
  13. "U23S REPORT | Watford 3 Charlton 3". Charlton Athletic F.C. 5 February 2020. Retrieved 1 March 2020.
  14. "U23 PREMIER LEAGUE CUP REPORT | Charlton 2 Reading 2". Charlton Athletic F.C. 24 February 2020. Retrieved 1 March 2020.
  15. Mahfoud, Maroun (14 August 2020). "Official: Hady Ghandour signs with Charlton Athletic U-23". FA Lebanon. Retrieved 14 August 2020.
  16. Abou Diab, Rami (17 September 2020). "Hady Ghandour: England Professional Development League debut". FA Lebanon. Retrieved 17 September 2020.
  17. "TEAM NEWS | Jason Pearce set for first start of the season against Leyton Orient". Charlton Athletic F.C. 10 November 2020. Retrieved 10 November 2020.
  18. "PAPA JOHN'S TROPHY REPORT | Charlton 3 Leyton Orient 1". Charlton Athletic F.C. 10 November 2020. Retrieved 11 November 2020.
  19. "U23S REPORT | Charlton 3 Bristol City 1". Charlton Athletic F.C. 30 November 2020. Retrieved 30 November 2020.
  20. "U23S REPORT | Charlton 4 Cardiff City 0". Charlton Athletic F.C. 11 January 2021. Retrieved 12 January 2021.
  21. "Squad update following completion of the 2020/21 season". Charlton Athletic F.C. 18 May 2021. Retrieved 18 May 2021.
  22. "PRE-SEASON REPORT | Reading 1 Charlton 1". Charlton Athletic F.C. 24 July 2021. Retrieved 24 July 2021.
  23. Ally, Marcus (11 August 2021). "Jason Pearce reacts as Charlton Athletic fall to AFC Wimbledon defeat". Football League World. Retrieved 11 August 2021.
  24. "Charlton's Ghandour joins the Stones on-loan Town". Maidstone United F.C. 21 October 2021. Retrieved 21 October 2021.
  25. "Hady Ghandour joins Maidstone United on loan". Charlton Athletic F.C. Retrieved 21 October 2021.
  26. "Maidstone United 0-2 Dorking Wanderers". Maidstone United FC. 23 October 2021. Retrieved 23 October 2021.
  27. "Hady Ghandour". FA Lebanon. Retrieved 23 November 2021.
  28. "Ghandour joins on loan from Charlton". Chelmsford City F.C. 7 January 2022. Retrieved 7 January 2022.
  29. Haines, Andrew (12 January 2022). "City exit BBC Essex Senior Cup on penalties". Chelmsford City F.C. Retrieved 15 January 2022.
  30. Haines, Andrew (15 January 2022). "City held by Welling". Chelmsford City F.C. Retrieved 15 January 2022.
  31. Haines, Andrew (17 January 2022). "Jackson strike seals point against the Saints". Chelmsford City F.C. Retrieved 18 January 2022.
  32. "Ghandour and Freeman return to parent clubs". Chelmsford City F.C. Retrieved 31 January 2022.
  33. "Loan Update". Maidstone United FC. 11 March 2022. Retrieved 11 March 2022.
  34. "Maidstone United vs Dulwich". Maidstone United F.C. 15 March 2022. Retrieved 16 March 2022.
  35. Tucker, Craig (30 April 2022). "Report: Maidstone win National League South title". Kent Online. Retrieved 2 May 2022.
  36. Hady Ghandour at Soccerway. Retrieved 24 November 2020.
  37. "Academy Update : Retained and released players". Charlton Athletic Official Site. 23 May 2022. Retrieved 23 May 2022.
  38. "Stones get Ghandour". Maidstone United Official Site. 21 June 2022. Retrieved 21 June 2022.
  39. Tucker, Craig (30 September 2022). "Maidstone United manager Hakan Hayrettin desperate to get injured players back but boosts squad by signing Dylan Barkers on loan from Cheltenham Town". Kent Online. Retrieved 3 November 2022.
  40. "Update from the medical team (31 October)". Maidstone United F.C. 31 October 2022. Retrieved 3 November 2022.
  41. "Stones announce double departure". Maidstone United. 15 February 2023. Retrieved 16 February 2023.
  42. "NEW SIGNING: Hady Ghandour". www.theshots.co.uk. 26 April 2023. Retrieved 26 April 2023.
  43. "Schedule & Results | AFC". the-afc.com. Archived from the original on 25 September 2016. Retrieved 1 March 2020.
  44. "AFC U-19 Championship Qualification 2018 Indonesia". globalsportsarchive.com. Retrieved 1 March 2020.
  45. Abou Diab, Rami (28 December 2020). "The U-22 national team squad announced". FA Lebanon. Retrieved 28 December 2020.
  46. منتخب لبنان إلى دبي استعداداً للقاء الإمارات في الدور الحاسم من تصفيات المونديال [Lebanon national team to Dubai in preparation for meeting the UAE in the decisive round of the World Cup qualifiers]. The LFA (in Arabic). 22 August 2021. Retrieved 22 August 2021.
  47. "Match Report of Korea Republic vs Lebanon". Global Sports Archive. 7 September 2021. Retrieved 7 September 2021.
  48. Robbie Simpson (8 January 2022). The Claret. Chelmsford City F.C. p. 7.
  49. Conlon, Rob (5 October 2021). "Hady Ghandour: "There's no Leeds without worry, you know?"". The Square Ball. Retrieved 5 October 2021.
  50. "Hady Ghandour". National Football Teams. Benjamin Strack-Zimmermann. Retrieved 7 September 2021.
  51. "Report: Maidstone win National League South title". Kent Online. 30 April 2022. Retrieved 30 April 2022.
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