Nigel Dias

Probably the best British defensive back of alltime. His trophy cabinet speaks for itself:- two European championship wins with the GB Lions (1989 and 1991), a Eurobowl win with the Manchester Spartans (1990), two national titles with the Manchester Spartans (1989 and 1990) and a national title with the Birmingham Bulls (1995). 


Dias playing for the Manchester Spartans

Started his career with the Manchester Spartans in 1985, becoming their Head Coach for the 1991 season. He led the NDMA league in tackles in 1992 with 79 solo tackles. He moved to Munich Cowboys in the Football League of Europe in 1994, before returning to the UK and the Birmingham Bulls in 1995 where he won the Bulls last national title. Dias played for the Bulls for many years and was still playing with tremendous influence through to the 2006 season.

Mike Taylor

Mike Taylor was the star big-hitting cornerback for the London Olympians in the late 80's, before moving to the Manchester Spartans. He is best known for being one of the first British players to be signed by the WLAF, when in 1991 he was signed by the NY/NJ Knights along with Les Jackson as their operation discovery talents. He was also a starter for GB in their 1989 European win. 

No photo - if you one of Mike then we'd like to put it here.

Rowelle Blenman

A real talent who played with superb effect at running back, wide receiver and special teams as well as his best position as a defensive back.

Played safety for London Olympians between 1990-94, winning the British title four times and also the EuroBowl championship twice. He has also played for the GB Lions on 3 occasions, all in 1997, when he also scored a TD.

Attended Harper College in Chicago and selected for the London Monarchs (95-98) and Scottish Claymores (99-03) becoming one of the Claymores key special teams players. Became the longest-serving national players in NFL-EL eclipsing the record of 67 games set by Scott Couper by the end of the 2001 campaign. Blenman played nine NFL Europe seasons with 75 appearances. In 2001 he led the Claymores in special teams tackles with a total of nine and two forced fumbles. In 2000 was a member of Claymores World Bowl squad, recording 10 special teams tackles, a team high. Spent four seasons playing with the Monarchs as a defensive back, wide receiver and on special teams … recorded five tackles, one sack, one pass defence and returned a kick-off for 29 yards during the Monarchs 1997 season. 

Paul Roberts

One of the very top DB's to play in the UK who could handle one on one coverage with the very best US import receivers. In 1991 Roberts killed the Nottingham Hoods in the 1991 semi-final with 2 interceptions returning one for the winning score. Called up for the GB Lions in 1991, where he helped win the title and was also selected for the Euro Allstar squad for that tournament.

Paul Roberts playing for the Birmingham Bulls in 1991

Scott Rowe

Scott Rowe was voted the greatest UK born defensive back after a superb career. Rowe started his football career for the Kent Rams youth team before he became one of the youngest players to earn a starting spot at the London Olympians at eighteen years old in 1991. He made an interception on just his third play.

Rowe then spent two years at Nicholls State University in Louisiana, went on to win numerous British Championship titles and was a member of the London O's team for all three of their European Championship wins. He also played for the GB Lions from 1995 to 2001. He also spent a number of seasons playing professionally in Europe, spending seasons with the Madrid Panteras (Spain), Hanau Hawks (Germany) and Stuttgart Scorpions (Germany).

He was also selected for the London Monarchs in 1995 and played for the Monarchs for four seasons. Rowe retired from playing after the 2005 season and went on to coach defensive backs and special teams at the Olympians, before joining the Exiles in 2008 becoming their Head Coach for the 2009 season.

Mark Williams

Mark Williams (#32) in centre of picture holding the 1988 Bud Bowl