Goodbye: Malone back to Wolverhampton Wanderers – but for how long? St Johnstone and Ujpest interested

There’s been a clear out of Les Rosbifs in recent days, what with the transfer silly season in full swing and approximately six weeks of the transfer window still to run. Even though a number of Englishmen abroad are contracted to their clubs, it gives their owners the prospect of a payday if they can cash in on them. As a result, a number of them have been out on trial at clubs in England – more on these at a later date. Some players have found themselves surplus to requirements though, while others have left for other reasons.

Scott Malone was a major success at Ujpest of Hungary over the second half of last season, playing a significant part in their success of reaching the Europa League. However, he is back at Wolverhampton Wanderers now, with the prospect of another loan move looking very likely. He was expected to play in a weekend friendly against Kidderminster Harriers, but didn’t feature, raising speculation that a move is imminent. Ujpest are known to be keen to get him back to Hungary for a further 12 months, while Scottish Premier new boys St Johnstone have also been mooted as a possible destination.

Still in Hungary, Jordan Robertson has been released by Ferencvaros following their runaway promotion to NBI. The biggest name to be released though is former Arsenal and Tottenham Hotspur striker Rohan Ricketts, who has been let go by Toronto FC in the MLS. This was inevitable in all fairness. Ricketts, if his Twitter feed is to be believed, has failed to settle into this season, with the new coach Chris Cummins and him failing to see eye-to-eye. His appearances for the Canadian side were sporadic and uninspiring and, following his (or his friend’s) ‘Twittergate’ outburst in May, it only seemed like a matter of time. There is no news of a possible destination for Ricketts, although he is still in Toronto. This may quash any prospects of a move back to the English game for now, but there is little else on the horizon.

Lloyd Butler, a friend of Les Rosbifs, is without a club as well following his release by Geylang United last month. This story is an unusual one and research and contacts have drawn blanks as to why he was released. What makes it all the more odd was the great start to his time in Singapore Butler enjoyed at the club. One source informed me that he has been training with Singapore Armed Forces FC, the home of Daniel Bennett and John Wilkinson. However, this is unproven, while a contract is out of the question unless SAFFC release one of their other foreign players. Wherever Lloyd is, I wish him all the best and look forward to hearing of his goals again very soon.

There have been some moves involving the Englishmen north of the border. Steve Lovell is currently without a club following his release by Falkirk. Boss Eddie May said ‘He isn’t fit to be a regular,’ following a series of injuries over the years. Lovell was training with Bournemouth last week but a move to another Scottish club looks the most likely destination. Rob Jones has left Hibernian and joined Scunthorpe United in a free, while Chris Swailes has been picked up by Blue Square Premier side Gateshead following his release by the Accies.

Sad news from Sweden where ex-Arsenal and Leyton Orient man Sam Oji has been released by Ljungskile and is currently looking for a club. Also club-less is Andy Kelly, who was released by Landskrona following injury. Les Rosbifs will be interviewing him very soon and wish him all the best in his recovery and search for a new club. Jody Banim never got going for Real Maryland Monarchs in the USL, as he was denied permanent entry to the USA due to work permit issues. He is back in England searching for a club.

Crossed off the Les Rosbifs list permanently are the following players, who have all been discovered to be aligned to other countries: Tyrone Mears (Jamaica; back in England now with Burnley following spell with Marseille), Chris James (Tampere United and New Zealand), Robert Cornthwaite (Adelaide United and a one cap wonder for Australia) and Shane Huke (Central Coast Mariners and Australia). Spencer Prior finally appears to have hung up his boots following a brief spell with Newcastle Jets in the A League.