ENGLISH PLAYERS ABROAD - THE 2020 CANADIAN PREMIER LEAGUE

The 2020 Canadian Premier League season is the second season of the Canadian Premier League, the top level of Canadian Football. The season was due to be start in early April but was put on hold due to the covid pandemic. The season has just got underway on Friday 14th August with a shortened tournament named 'The Island Games' with all games being played behind closed doors at the University of Prince Edward Island. All players involved were required to self isolate for 14 days before travelling with a further 5 more days upon arrival as well as undergoing testing procedures.

The league is made up of the following teams 

Atlético Ottawa 
Cavalry
FC Edmonton 
Forge 
HFX Wanderers 
Pacific 
Valour
York9 

There a number of English players and managers involved. Cavalry are managed by former Swindon Town, Torquay United and Yeovil Town player Tommy Wheeldon. He has a number of English players in his squad. 

Nathan Mavila, 24, came through the ranks at West Ham United from 2012 to 2016 before going to play for Wealdstone, Wingate and Finchley, Maidstone United, Leyton Orient and Dulwich Hamlet amongst other clubs. 

Elijah Adekugbe, 24, grew up in Manchester playing briefly for Manchester City's academy between 2000 to 2004. His family moved to Canada - His older brother Sam Adekugbe is a full Canadian International and currently plays for Norwegian side Valerenga. 

Jordan Brown, 23, was in the same West Ham academy teams as Mavila. He made one appearance in the Europa League for The Hammers under Slavan Bilic. After a very short stay with Chelmsford City on loan he was released by the Premier League club and has since played in Germany for Hannover and in the Czech Republic for Znojmo. He has been with Cavalry since January 2019. 

Jay Wheeldon, 31, is brother of Tommy and has been with the club since 2019. He has played for Torquay United and Hungerford Town as well as spell in Belgium with Montegnee. 

FC Edmonton are captained by Tomi Ameobi (brother of Shola and Sammy) who came through the academy ranks of Leeds United and Newcastle United. He has played for a number of clubs in England as well as in Iceland and Finland as well as short spell with FC Cincinnati in America. 

Cory Bent signed for HFX Wanderers. His youth career took in Manchester United, Preston North End and AFC Fylde. His dad is Junior Bent who is best known for his time with Bristol City and Blackpool during his professional career. His cousin is Darren Bent. 

Valour are managed by Rob Gale who was with Fulham as a schoolboy between 1991 to 1994. His playing career was spent with Winnipeg Alliance, Winnipeg Luciana and Sons Of Italy. He has coached for the Canada International youth teams and joined the club in 2018. He was born in Zambia in 1977 where his English father was also a foootball coach. 

Results and Fixtures

Friday 14th August 
Forge 2 Cavalry 2 

Saturday 15th August 
York9 2 Atlético Ottawa 2 
HFX Wanderers 2 Pacific 2

Sunday 16th August
Valour 0 Cavalry 2 
Forge 2 Edmonton 0 

Wednesday 19th August
Pacific v York9 
Atlético Ottawa v Valour 

Thursday 20th August 
HFX Wanderers v Forge 

Friday 21st August 
Edmonton v Cavalry 

Saturday 22nd August
York9 v Valour
Forge v Pacific