International Clearance

We get all our 1977 Team Hawaii questions answered by none other than their Scottish player/coach Charlie Mitchell. Charlie spent many years in the North American Soccer League, playing for Rochester Lancers, New York Cosmos (with Pele!), Toronto Blizzard and Tulsa Roughnecks, but listeners will know it's his year in Hawaii that has us salivating! There's also overseas news on Titus Bramble, Terry Fenwick and another English arrival at David Beckham's MLS franchise Inter Miami. Follow @IntlClearance for all show updates!

This week we get into a bumper list of updates about Brits playing or coaching around the globe, from Lee Clark's first games managing in Sudan to some title winners in Belgium and India. We also discuss Valencia forward Yunus Musah's recent international football declaration, and another Palace youngster to potentially follow in former guest Mandela Egbo's footsteps... The Higher or Lower game returns, while there's also a quick chat with Cam Melling, the man behind the much-referenced social media resource English Players Abroad (@EnglishPlayersAbroad on Instagram, @EnglishAbroad1 on Twitter). Stay up to the date with the podcast @IntlClearance!

We're delighted to be joined this week by Sheffield United legend Brian Deane. In his 30s, the former England international played under Graeme Souness at Benfica and Steve McMahon at Perth Glory. Brian is also our first guest to have managed overseas, having spent two seasons as head coach at Sarpsborg 08, and we get an insightful conversation on his reasons for starting out in Norway. Be sure to follow @IntlClearance on Twitter and Instagram to stay up to date with the podcast!

Chatting with Joe & Scully on this episode is Chris Dickson, whose goalscoring exploits span from non-league to the Champions League. 'Dicko' shares stories of his time in Cyprus, where he played for five clubs - Nea Salamis, AEL Limassol, Pafos FC, Enosis Neon Paralimni and Ermis Aradippou - and his time in China with Shanghai SIPG. The London-born striker also looks back on the time he was called up for Ghana, earning two caps in 2008-09. Subscribe to the podcast to get new episodes as they arrive, and make sure to follow us @IntlClearance on Twitter and Instagram.  

'Sir' Les Ferdinand is a Premier League legend, but did you know he spent a season on loan with Beşiktaş early into his pro career? The now QPR Director of Football joins us on this episode to share stories of his formative time in Istanbul. Follow us @IntlClearance on Twitter and Instagram! Get in touch with the show: intlclearance@gmail.com

Former Hamilton, Doncaster and Carlisle striker Richard Offiong shares his experiences as a player in a number of countries, with mixed results. His story is one of an undying enthusiasm for travel and the beautiful game, in spite of a number of obstacles. We also discuss the response to our Mandela Egbo chat, and even more transfers abroad to keep an eye on! Get in touch with the show @intlclearance on Instagram and/or Twitter

We're joined this week by New York Red Bulls right back Mandela Egbo, who shares the story behind his move from the Premier League to the Bundesliga at age 17, as well as arriving in The Big Apple during a pandemic. Follow the show @intlclearance on Twitter + Instagram, or get in touch with us via email: intlclearance@gmail.com

London-born, Antigua and Barbuda international Brentton Muhammad speaks to the pod from Iceland, where he currently plays in goal for Vestri. We learn about his experience of 'soccer' in the US college system, the dedication required to make a career in the game we love, and the many culture shocks along the way. There's also some transfer window updates, and we get into more of your correspondence. Follow the show @intlclearance

Former Aberdeen keeper David Preece talks about his experiences playing in Denmark and Iceland, as well as offering insight into his current coaching role at Swedish side Östersunds. There's some interesting transfer window activity to bring you, and we go through your correspondence from episode 1. Keep it coming!

Our first guest on International Clearance is former Premier League player and now Newcastle United youth coach Peter Ramage, who shares his experiences playing in India with Kerala Blasters, and the United States with Phoenix Rising.

Co-hosts Joe Walker & Scully introduce their new podcast, speaking with British footballers about their adventures playing or coaching overseas. Subscribe to stay up to date with the forthcoming first season of interviews, and follow @intlclearance on Twitter + Instagram!