The 10 Greatest Players To Have Come From England's Non League (Ranked)

Non-League to The Big Leagues

In honor of Antoine Semenyo's recent transfer to Manchester City and his stint playing in non-league, we are ranking the best players to come out of the lower leagues. Non-league (any league below League Two) hosts some great talent that don’t get the scouting coverage like the other big leagues around the world. However, some players have been lucky enough and had the ability to become top, top players.

10 – Charlie Austin

My personal favourite makes it into the top 10. Throughout his career, Charlie Austin has been a cheeky character that has a knack for finding the back of the net. He was never afraid of confronting what he thought was wrong if you remember that interview for Southampton after a VAR incident.

But did you know that Austin rose through the ranks of non-league. After being released from Reading at 15 for being too small, Austin played for local sides Kintbury Rangers and Hungerford Town. His best season came for Poole Town scoring 48 goals in 42 games which earned him a move to Swindon Town and the rest is history.

What’s brilliant is his love for non-league as he is still playing for AFC Totton in the National League South and played against former side Poole Town recently.

9 – Dan Burn

Dan Burn’s story is inspirational. He is the epitome of never giving up and that if you really want something then you will get it. The 6”7 centre back has had his best football towards the latter stages of his career being the focal point of Newcastle’s defence and also playing for England.

His journey started throughout Darlington academy where he made his professional debut in 2009 after opting to go for the lower league route rather than the glamorous pro academies. After two years there he signed for Fulham and finally returned to his boyhood club Newcastle in 2022.

Whilst he may not have played many games in non-league, his grind and work-hard attitude to play in the lower leagues instead of the big academies is deserving of a spot in this list.

Dan Burn's story is quite something...

⚫️ Boyhood NUFC fan
❌ Released by Academy aged 11
🛒 Pushed trollies at Asda
🙏 Worked his way up the leagues
✍️ Signed for Newcastle at 29
🤩 Champions League goal at 31
🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿 England call-up at 32
🏆 Wembley on Sunday #NUFC #ENG pic.twitter.com/kUpcc48jf6

— Olly Hawkins (@Olly_Hawk) March 14, 2025

8 – Steve Finnan

Youngsters in this day and age might not know who Steve Finnan is, but he was a classy full back that was always reliable. He had his best days of his career at Liverpool and was in the starting XI at THAT night in Istanbul where Liverpool lifted the Champions League trophy. He began his playing days in the lower leagues with Welling United at the age of 16 adjusting to the physicality of men’s football after being released from Wimbledon.

Unlike nowadays where bigger clubs often go for talent in the professional leagues, Birmingham took a chance on Finnan and signed him for £100,000, a huge fee for a non-league side. Finnan is in a small class of footballers who can say they played in non-league and won the Champions League.

7 – Vinnie Jones

If there was a player you never messed with in football, it was Vinnie Jones. The man was made of steel, and one wrong look could leave you in the hospital. Most notably known for his scary demeanour, Jones was a quality midfielder in the First Division and was one-of-a-kind really. They don’t come like Jones anymore.

A factor for his style of play could be his roots, as he began his playing career for semi-pro club Wealdstone in The Alliance Premier League at the age of 19. The roughness of non-league certainly paved a way for Jones’ career and led him becoming a part of the “crazy gang” during his playing days for Wimbledon in the first division and is definitely worth a read if you haven’t heard of it.

He also featured for Wimbledon, Leeds United, Sheffield United, Chelsea, and Queens Park Rangers. Oh and also, he did become a Hollywood star after he retired from football…

Vinnie Jones (5 January 1965) — “The Hard Man” ⚔️
Tough-tackling Wimbledon legend (FA Cup ’88), cult hero of the Crazy Gang. Later traded boots for Hollywood, starring in Lock, Stock, Snatch & more. Football’s fearless enforcer turned screen star. 🎬⚽️ pic.twitter.com/gJljWTjfCv

— football nostalgic (@futball_diary) January 5, 2026

6 – Chris Smalling

Chris Smalling’s story might not have all the entertainment like the others, but his rise from non-league to Manchester United and now Roma proves that even a season in the lower leagues is enough.

He only had a short spell for Millwall academy in his youth instead playing for local and school sides Walderslade Boys and Lordswood. He joined Maidstone’s youth set up and rose quickly through the youth and reserve sides.

After impressing early on, Smalling played in the Isthmian League for the first team in 2008 which comprises of the seventh and eighth levels of English football. He impressed coaches and scouts alike which had many professional sides calling for his signature. He eventually signed for Fulham and made his Premier League debut a year later.

5 – Kevin Phillips

Another striker and another player who decided to test their luck in non-league after being released from an academy. Kevin Phillips was released from Southampton for being too small as a youth, an often used harsh excuse by academies even though Lionel Messi is 5”7.

Anyways, Phillips joined semi-pro side Baldock Town at 18 and played there for three years. Funnily enough he often played as a defender but after an injury crisis at the club, Phillips’ true striker instincts became a reality.

After impressing for Baldock, Watford took a chance on him, but he emerged as a goalscoring machine for his next club Sunderland. After helping The Black Cats achieve promotion to the Premier League, Phillips earned his first call up for England. His best season came a year later scoring 30 goals alongside winning the golden boot and European golden shoe.

Without his experience in non-league, Phillips might’ve never become the striker he was destined to be.

4 – Les Ferdinand

These QPR scouts really know a good non-league striker when they see one. Les Ferdinand was unlucky to play in a generation full of brilliant England strikers as he would’ve made many more international appearances.

Nevertheless, Ferdinand is still known as one of the best goalscorers to have played in the First Division and also when it changed to the Premier League. His goalscoring prowess began for non-league side Southall where he managed to reach the FA Vase final but lost 3-0 to Halesowen Town. His non-league journey didn’t end there signing for Hayes and scoring 20 goals in his first and only season at the club.

That was enough for First Division side QPR to sign Ferdinand for £50,000. He went on to score 80 goals for the club in just over 160 appearances which is an impressive record for a striker. Ferdinand also had prominent spells for Newcastle United and Tottenham Hotspur ending up as the 11th highest scorer in the history of the Premier League.

31 years ago today Les Ferdinand’s first touch is dreadful. His second makes amends. And his third is a proper pisswhistler.

Pick that out, pal.

pic.twitter.com/pVUfzgSh5o

— A Funny Old Game (@sid_lambert) December 10, 2025

3 - Stuart Pearce

What’s amazing about Stuart Pearce is that he didn’t play a mere one or two seasons in non-league. He dedicated a good five seasons to local side Wealdstone amassing 176 appearances and was even reluctant to sign for a professional club. Pearce was the definition of solid and was a hard-working left back for his whole career.

He could’ve been playing non-league his whole career if it wasn’t for a matchday visit from then Coventry City manager Bobby Gould in 1983. A £30,000 fee later, Pearce signed for the Sky Blues and made his debut immediately. His best days came at his next club, Nottingham Forest where

Pearce played over 400 games from the club proving his loyalty even when the club were relegated. He also had 78 caps for England and was part of the infamous 1996 Euros run and penalty shootout nightmare. Pearce had a long, illustrious career that started in the lower leagues of England.

2 - Jamie Vardy

The temptation to put Jamie Vardy number one was extremely high but based off achievements and goals scored, we had to stick him in the second spot. His story is absolutely incredible and is an inspiration to all footballers that haven’t made it yet or have been released by an academy. He singlehandedly gave non-league football a massive boost in terms of viewership and the quality of players who are now choosing to play semi-pro football.

Vardy’s iconic story began for his boyhood side Sheffield Wednesday where he was released at the age of 16. Vardy’s first non-league bout came for Stocksbridge Park Steels earning £30 a week and working in a factory whilst playing. He then signed for FC Halifax Town scoring a bundle of goals there, but he really let his shooting boots do some damage for then Conference side Fleetwood Town. In a title winning and 31 goal season, Leicester City made the best choice in their club’s history and signed the prolific striker for £1 million, the most expensive transfer for a non-league player in history.

At 25 years old, Vardy made his professional debut. Three years later, he was a Premier League winner with Leicester in the biggest upset in Premier League history. Despite huge interest from clubs all over the league, Vardy rode his time out with the club and is still scoring goals for fun at Cremonese at the age of 38. He was a late bloomer, non-league sensation and quite rightfully earned himself a Premier League medal. Hats off to you Vardy.

•Premier League Champion
•FA Cup Champion
•Community shield winner
•Record for longest scoring run in PL history

From non league football to conquering England. Jamie Vardy❤️ pic.twitter.com/PwqONehgBN

— (fan) Trey (@UTDTrey) April 24, 2025

1 – Ian Wright

Just overtaking his English counterpart Vardy, Ian Wright claims the top spot. Before we even begin his journey in the non-league, no one can question that Ian Wright is one of the best strikers to ever play in England. His footballing journey began very late and he faced a turbulent time as he tried to make it as a player. Professional clubs weren’t interested in his talents, and he spent many years playing only amateur and Sunday league football.

It wasn’t until 21 years of age that Wright was signed by Crystal Palace after impressing for non-league outfit Greenwich Borough beginning his professional career. He was brilliant at Palace for a number of years, but his career will always be remembered by his days at Arsenal.

Not only did he score 185 goals from 288 appearances, but he also became Arsenal’s greatest ever goalscorer (2nd to Thierry Henry now) and helped the Gunners to a Premier League title, two FA Cups, a League Cup and a European Cup Winners’ Cup. Don’t forget his 33 caps for England as well. His story proves to footballers that they should never give up on their footballing dreams and remains one of the most loved footballers and pundits to this day.

Arsenal Legend Ian Wright breaks down in tears as he’s reunited with his beloved teacher Mr Pigden, the teacher who gave him direction and purpose during his turbulent upbringing. You can’t help but love Wrighty, he wears his heart on his sleeve, what a beautiful human being ⚪️🔴 pic.twitter.com/jjjTpGu0Eg

— Gooner Chris (@ArsenalN7) March 4, 2022