Hussein Isa

**Last statistical update: n/a**

**Hussein Isa** is a footballer who played for **Hashtag United** (men).

Isa played in the academies of Queens Park Rangers and Tottenham Hotspur, notably training with the latter's first-team squad for a period of time. With *Spurs*, he credits former coach Ricardo Moniz for instilling his play style. After leaving Tottenham, Isa had a stint with Barnet.

Brentwood Town
At the age of 16, around December 2004, Isa was with Essex Senior League side Brentwood Town.

Staines Town
In January 2007, Isa was a recent new signing for Isthmian League - Premier Division club Staines Town. He remained until at least August.

Wingate & Finchley
By December 2007, Isa had signed with Wingate & Finchley of the Isthmian League - Division One North.

Dartford
In the 2008–09 season, Isa made the breakthrough into the senior set-up at Isthmian League - Premier Division side Dartford. He made 4 appearances that campaign, which included an appearance in a fixture with Tooting & Mitcham United on 28 February 2009. That year also saw him net 10 goals for their under-21s, who he continued to feature for in 2009–10.

Canvey Island
In August 2010, Isa switched to Canvey Island of the Isthmian League - Premier Division; remaining until the succeeding March.

Aveley
On 30 March 2011, Isa joined fellow Isthmian League - Premier Division team Aveley.

Romford
At the beginning of 2012, Isa signed for Romford. He made it a goalscoring debut for *The Boro* on 22 February against Ilford in the Isthmian League - Division One North, which preceded a further appearance that month versus Leiston. He netted again in his fourth appearance as Romford defeated Heybridge Swifts one nil away from home. Overall, the midfielder appeared 12 times in a campaign that saw them finish mid-table. In the subsequent 2012–13, Isa scored 4 goals across 10 matches. The first of those came in a 27 August 2012 victory over Ilford from the penalty spot, with the next arriving on 6 October in a win at Ware; as he also notched two assists. Isa then scored in his next two appearances against Chatham Town and Harlow Town (with an assist) to end October.

Heybridge Sports
Around December 2012, Isa completed a move across the Isthmian League - Division One North to Heybridge Swifts. He made his debut on 8 December during a six-goal thrashing away at Ilford.

Broxbourne Borough
At some point during 2012–13, Isa was with Broxbourne Borough in the Spartan South Midlands League - Division One.

Romford (return)
In November 2013, Isa sealed a return to Romford. His stint back was short, as he made substitute showings in Isthmian League - Division One North fixtures with AFC Sudbury, Redbridge and future team Waltham Forest before departing once more.

Waltham Forest
Isa was attached to Waltham Forest in the Isthmian League - Division One North around March 2014.

Cray Wanderers
Isa spent a large portion of 2014–15 with Isthmian League - Division One North side Cray Wanderers. His first appearance came on 2 September 2014, as he replaced Danny Lye off the bench in a league home loss to Maldon & Tiptree. Further sub participations occurred in games with Great Wakering Rovers and Burnham Ramblers in that month, which ended with Isa getting his first start for the club in a 4–1 defeat on home soil to Redbridge. The midfielder stayed with *The Wands* until just into the new year, as he amassed 19 appearances in total.

### HTU

2016–18
Having been introduced to the club by Steve Carmichael-Brown and having featured in the 7-a-side Next Level Football League for the Hashtag Academy, Isa was moved into their first-team squad in mid-2017. He debuted up in Bodymoor Heath as HTU won 6–2 at Aston Villa Staff, with the midfielder netting his first goal in the process. Isa netted again next time out by scoring twice versus Pitchero United, also grabbing his first assist, in the club's final Divisions encounter. He ended 2017 with assists in friendlies with Real Oviedo XI and Eibar XI, prior to getting his first of 2018 against Panjab. Soon after, Isa scored his fourth goal in HTU's final match of chapter one - a 10–2 victory over Primetubers at the bet365 Stadium.

2018–19
As *The Tags* headed into non-league football, Isa was selected to remain with the senior squad under new manager Jay Devereux. He would appear in 5 of their 7 pre-season friendlies, notably notching an assist versus ex-club Romford on 14 July 2018. His competitive bow for HTU arrived on 4 August as they lost their Thurlow Nunn League - Division One South opener on the road to Little Oakley, though Isa himself ended the game with two assists after setting up Marcus Stamp and Aaron Couch. On 29 January 2019, after an assist in the months prior versus F2, Isa scored his final HTU goal in 27th appearance as he converted a free-kick in a mid-season friendly at AFC Hornchurch. His last assist came in a First Division Knockout Cup quarter-final win over Benfleet on 12 February.

2019–20
Ahead of 2019–20, after promotion as champions, Isa took on a player/coach role. However, after featuring 5 times in pre-season (picking up his 10th and last assist versus Anstey Nomads), his complete departure from *The Tags* was revealed on 17 September 2019 - with the midfielder noting a desire to play more often. He left after 5 goals in 41 overall games.

### Post-HTU

Woodford Town
After departing HTU, Isa signed with fellow Essex Senior League team Woodford Town. His debut on 24 September in the London Senior Cup versus Clapton was followed by a league showing against St. Margaretsbury on 28 September, with his third and final appearance coming on 11 October in an Essex Senior League fixture with Clapton.

## Personal Life

Isa attended Eastbrook School. He supports Arsenal and Barcelona. In the past, Isa worked as a body double in advertisements, including for Adidas, for Sergio Agüero, Eden Hazard and Lionel Messi. He has also worked as a PE teacher. Away from football, Isa has represented England in futsal; winning at least 28 caps.

Coaching
Isa works as a coach, notably teaching young footballers in various academies (including his own) down the years. He previously worked for Queens Park Rangers and Crystal Palace at youth level, prior to going it alone. In January 2023, it was reported that he had been appointed as a first-team attacking-phase coach by Arsenal ahead of the 2023–24 season.

## HTU Statistics

Breakdown

'*Other Cups' includes competitions like the FA Trophy, the FA Vase and friendly tournaments. See also: HTUwiki:DataIssues.*

Appearances (41)
* List of appearances of Hussein Isa

Goals (5)
* \*indicates date is that of the video upload.

Aston Villa Staff  v  Hashtag United

Hashtag United  v  Pitchero United

Primetubers  v  Hashtag United

AFC Hornchurch  v  Hashtag United

## HTU Honours

* Thurlow Nunn League - Division One South (1): 2018-19

## References

1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 "Hussein Isa" .
2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 2.5 2.6 2.7 "Dartford FC Player Profiles" .
3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 "MEET THE TEKKERS GURU!" , 22 September 2017.
4. ↑ "International stars, academy players and five-year-olds are doing it, but is one-to-one coaching worth it?" , 19 December 2019.
5. ↑ 5.0 5.1 "De Lisser a Swan again but play-offs look unlikely" , 4 January 2007.
6. ↑ "Tilbury 4-1 Brentwood Town (Eastern Floodlight League)" , 2 December 2004.
7. ↑ "Amateurs stun Premier Division Swans" , 13 August 2007.
8. ↑ "Blues can have no complaints" , 3 December 2007.
9. ↑ "Winger Isa fills boots of Barcelona’s Messi" , 8 March 2011.
10. ↑ 10.0 10.1 10.2 10.3 10.4 10.5 10.6 10.7 10.8 "Hussein ISA" .
11. ↑ 11.0 11.1 "Isa may get Heybridge Swifts home debut" , 13 December 2012.
12. ↑ "Hussein Isa" .
13. ↑ "Waltham Forest 1-3 Chatham Town" , 13 March 2014.
14. ↑ 14.0 14.1 14.2 14.3 "Cray Wanderers - Appearances - Hussein Isa - 2014-2015" .
15. ↑ "Hashtag United Coaching Changes" , 10 July 2019.
16. ↑ "Official: Hashtag United announce the departure of Hussein ‘Tekkers Guru’ Isa" , 17 September 2019.
17. ↑ 17.0 17.1 "Hussein Isa player stats" .
18. ↑ 18.0 18.1 18.2 "Ornstein: Arsenal hire ‘Tekkers Guru’, Zaha to stay at Palace, Hazard talks, West Ham in for En-Nesyri" , 9 January 2023.
19. ↑ 19.0 19.1 "Lionel Messi’s body double is PE teacher from Canvey Island" (archived) , 8 March 2011.