SHORTS: Latest news about former Arsenal, Blackpool, Dunfermline, Leyton Orient and Chelsea players PLUS Phoenix news

A regular update of snippets, news and views involving Les Rosbifs – past and present.

MOVE: Saunders saunters to Levante

George Saunders, the inspiration for this website way back in April 2009, moved on from Villarreal ‘C’ in ther Tercera Division of the Spanish League late last summer, moving on to Group 6 rivals UD Levante ‘B’, one of his previous clubs. Saunders, a defensive midfielder who was once on  the books of Arsenal as a schoolboy before moving with his family to Spain, has also played for Espanyol. At 20 years of age, now is the time he needs to step up a level. Regular injuries though have delayed his progress and at the time of writing, he has only made four appearances for Levante ‘B’ this season.

Phoenix rises from the Ashes: Ex-FC United and Altrincham attacker on verge of contract in Albania

Jamie Phoenix, a man who epitomises everything Les Rosbifs stands for, has finally reappeared on the international football scene in far-flung Albania. Phoenix, who has a string of clubs in England and abroad to his name, including Altrincham, Stafford Rangers, Bolton Wanderers (perhaps) and Manchester City (perhaps), is currently on trial with Superliga side KS Vllaznia and, all being well, looks a certainty to be offered a contract.

Phoenix, who celebrates his birthday today, had a difficult time getting to Albania due to the inclement weather in the UK last week. A lengthy journey started last Friday and took in Manchester, Gatwick, Belgrade and Podgorica, before finally arriving in Ulcinj on Tuesday evening. Despite being weary, Phoenix was brought on as a second half substitute in a friendly against Gramozin.

SPAIN: Jermaine Pennant latest; Former Chelsea and West Ham United men turn up

Pennant playing for struggling Zaragoza…Smith injured with Real Union…Ex-Chelsea man Simmonds continues exodus from Hoddle’s Academy…Ex-Hammers legend Tommy Taylor joins Torry Army…

Spain has been a favourite haunt of English footballers and coaches over the years but those present this season have experienced some indifferent fortunes over the course of the first half of the season.

The best-known Englishman in the Iberian Peninsula at the moment is former Liverpool, Arsenal and Notts County winger Jermaine Pennant, who is with Primera Division side Real Zaragoza. Despite his team languishing in the relegation zone, Pennant has been a regular in the starting line-up, with 14 appearances thus far. No goals have come his way though and on present form, it is safe to say that Fabio Capello will not need to book a flight to view him ahead of the World Cup. Recent talk has linked him with a move out of the club, possibly to Aston Villa. However, since the recent appointment of coach Jose Aurelio Gay, Pennant has declared himself happier in the country, although reports about poor attitude have never been far away.

ISRAEL: Ex-Aston Villa and Queens Park Rangers manager Gregory in troubled times

Perhaps the most interesting move during the Les Rosbifs hiatus is that of former Aston Villa and Queens Park Rangers manager John Gregory to Israeli side Maccabi Ahi Nazareth.

Ahi, who were languishing at the bottom of the Premier League at the time of the appointment in early December, signed Gregory in an attempt to improve their poor start to the season, which yielded just nine points from twelve matches. Gregory, who hadn’t managed since leaving QPR in 2007, is reported to be on a salary of $5000 per month and is looking at it as a stepping stone to a bigger Israeli club. An issue over whether he is actually ‘qualified’ to coach in Israel has been bandied about by some local media, as he needs a UEFA Licence, rather than the full English FA award he holds.

LATEST: Henderson leaves Turkey for Colchester United; ex-Peterborough United coach leaves Skonto

There is some four months worth of news to sift through, but we’ll make a start with a couple of ex-Norwich City men. Ian Henderson has joined Colchester United this week, having recently played for Ankaragucu. Henderson never really settled in Turkey, despite having a girlfriend from the country, and he left the club by mutual consent late last year after just two appearances. He has recently been training with Aidy Boothroyd’s men (another ex-Canary) and a deal was signed this week, following international clearance. Whilst it is sad to see Henderson leave Ankara, thereby leaving Darius Vassell as the only Englishman there, the recent upheavals at the club are certain to have not helped the situation.

Another former Norwich City man and ex-Peterborough United assistant manager, Paul Ashworth, left his post as manager of Skonto Riga after a tight battle to the Latvian Virsliga title ended with his side finishing third. The result was as expected by the club, but Ashworth felt the financial situation at the club was limiting ambitions and quit at the end of the season. He is in negotiations with two other clubs and is sure to be coaching somewhere again soon. Watch this space…

….And we’re back

It has been a while but Les Rosbifs is now back in action. I will be looking at posting regular updates on the fortunes of the Englishmen playing and coaching abroad, as well as updating the all-important list, which is in a state of disrepair since I last worked on it in mid-August.

Please, if you have any information about English footballers or coaches abroad, do let me know. It will take me a few weeks to get back into the swing of things, but I will!  I am also looking for some writers to help out. If you are keen on penning a regular article about Englishmen playing in your (or another) country, drop me a line. I am all ears.

So where have we been? Well, in short, my young son has been ill. Although this has pretty much been the case since his birth in May 2008, things were not getting sorted out. There have been sleepless nights (more so for him than us, but it all adds up), and these continue. However, his current treatment has been the best yet, he is a lot more settled and a semblance of real life is starting to seep through. This means I have some time on my hands once again to get the blog going.

Sam Tillen Blog (6): Liverpool, Manchester United and the Premier League – Icelandic Style

Sam Tillen of Fram Reykjavik will be writing regularly for Les Rosbifs, revealing the behind-the-scenes stories and events of his team’s Europa League and PepsiDeild campaigns. If you would like to ask Sam a question, or leave a comment, please do so clicking on the link below.

The Premier League is back in England and nowhere was it more welcomed than in Iceland. It is very strange to see the fanaticism with which Icelanders follow their English teams here. Some I know have never been to Anfield or Old Trafford but the intensity of their support is easily comparable to the Scousers and the Mancs. As the world over, Liverpool and Manchester United are the two most popular English teams here. Just like any bar in England, you have to be the early bird if you are to catch a seat in the sports bars especially so when these two sides are in action.

SWEDEN LATEST: Former Portsmouth players in good form; Ex-Newcastle United and Huddersfield Town man making his mark with Ostersunds

Some great news coming from Sweden concerning the Englishmen plying their trade in the Allsvenskan. Former Portsmouth and Kidderminster Harriers striker James Keene has propelled his Elfsborg side to the top of the league, while ex-Millwall man Kenny Pavey has played his part in cementing AIK in 2^nd spot.

MEDITERRANEAN LATEST: Former Blackburn Rovers man injured in Greece; ex-Aston Villa and Manchester City striker gets off the mark in Turkey

Bad luck for Matt Derbyshire, whose permanent deal at Olympiacos in Greece has got off to a bad start. The former Blackburn Rovers man picked up an abdominal injury during the pre-season and is out until sometime next month, as he has needed surgery. We wish him a speedy recovery.

MLS LATEST: Former Queens Park Rangers and Sunderland striker doing his best in a weak Toronto attack, while ex-Norwich City man’s side continue slump

Columbus Crew are the best team in the MLS at the moment, having won their last five matches in the MLS, being unbeaten in their last eight and conceding just four goals in their last eight matches. For Andy Iro it has been a successful time, despite only playing in six league matches. His stock is rising and he is highly thought of at the club, having slotted into a variety of defensive positions as and when called upon.

David Beckham’s Los Angeles Galaxy had enjoyed a good run of form after his return from Milan and England.