29.05.2026 20:11
Mustafa Yılmaz Toyran, a former football player and coach living in Erzincan, contributes to production today by cultivating 600 sour cherry trees on 11 decares of land, which he started as a hobby 6 years ago. Toyran said, 'Alongside sports, I am also engaged in farming. We have trained hundreds of football players so far, and now we are trying to grow sour cherries. Of course, we will also continue to train football players alongside this.'
Mustafa Yılmaz Toyran, an experienced sportsman who played football in professional leagues for years and now works as a technical director, produces organic products in his sour cherry orchard, which he established after retiring from the Provincial Directorate of Youth and Sports to make use of his spare time away from football.
“WE PUT EFFORT INTO THIS PLACE LIKE A CHILD”
Toyran, 60, who continues his work in his orchard in Yeniköy, a district of the central province, expects a productive harvest from the sour cherries this year. Toyran said he was unfamiliar with the agricultural sector but turned to sour cherry production on the advice of his agricultural engineer friend.
Stating that sour cherry is an important product for fruit juice factories, Toyran said, "This is our sixth year, but we put effort into this place like a child. Hopefully, this will be our productive year; if fate permits, we will supply it to the fruit juice factory and the market." he said.
“A PRODUCT AROUND 25-30 TONS IS EXPECTED”
Explaining that they practice organic farming, Toyran said, "We produce completely naturally grown sour cherries. We also have certificates for this. Our main job is football. I spend my spare time from football here; I don't go out much. When it reaches full capacity, a product of around 25-30 tons is expected. That depends on the weather. In other words, if the weather is good, but the product looks good right now. Because sour cherry is a fruit that blooms late." he stated.
"WE ARE INVOLVED IN FOOTBALL; WHEN GIVEN A DUTY, WE WILL WORK AGAIN"
Toyran continued as follows: "Regarding my hobbies, an impression has formed among people, 'He seems to have drifted away from football, he has no connection to football.' Actually, I am a coach. Last year, I coached Anagold 24 Erzincanspor, and I am the one who promoted this team. I am the one who took it from the amateur league to the professional league. I have worked in the Turkish 1st League, 2nd League, 3rd League, and I have championships. In other words, we are involved in football; when given a duty, we will work again." he said.
“WE RAISED HUNDREDS OF FOOTBALL PLAYERS, NOW WE ARE TRYING TO GROW SOUR CHERRIES”
Stating that he has raised many students and coaches, Toyran noted the following: "Alongside sports, I engage in production. Until now, we have raised hundreds of football players, and now we are trying to grow sour cherries. Of course, alongside this, we will also raise football players. I want to achieve something ambitious with sour cherries, that is, to produce a good product. The athletes we raised even played in the 1st League, and I am proud of that. This is a place where I relieve stress, relax, and release my energy. Therefore, I also enjoy working here. This is a resting area for me. I am very happy doing this, but it is a difficult job, the agricultural sector. May God not let anyone's efforts go to waste."