Top 10 Former EFL Players In History

Top 10 Former EFL Players In History

Across the Championship, League One and League Two, there have been some extremely talented players to have graced the EFL over the years. Football Park have decided choose our top 10 best players to have played across the three divisions, since the inaugral 2004/05 season of the new football league structure.

10. James Coppinger

A true Doncaster Rovers legend, James Coppinger was a tricky attacking midfielder who made over 600 appearances in a spell that spanned 17 seasons with the Yorkshire side. The true meaning of a one club legend, he would play with Rovers in all three divisions of the EFL.

He scored vital goals, including a hat-trick in the League One 2008 play-off semi-final against Southend United. The final at Wembley was a Yorkshire derby against Leeds, which Doncaster prevailed as 1-0 victors, and earning them promotion to the Championship.

9. Dele Alli

In 2012 a future England star was born. Making the step-up from the MK Dons' academy and into the first team, Dele Alli was just 16-years-old when he made his debut in League One. Alli would truly make his mark the following season, and in March 2014, he scored a hat-trick away to Notts County to guide his side to a 3-1 win.

In his final season at MK Dons, the young midfielder was now a regular first choice. A memorable game that campaign included a 4-0 thrashing of Manchester United at home in the EFL Cup. Despite being the lesser side, Alli impressed and this sparked rumours he'd be set for a move to the Premier League. Tottenham would sign the midfielder in the winter transfer window and the rest was history.

5 years ago tomorrow, Dele Alli made his MK Dons debut

Tonight, scored TWO against Real Madrid in the Champions League.

Incredible journey pic.twitter.com/lQTeA15peW

— The #EFL Zone (@TheFLZone) November 1, 2017

8. Matt Ritchie

Matt Ritchie's rise to the summit of English football was unique to other players journeys to the top. After coming through Portsmouth's academy and having various loan spells, the midfielder would settle at Swindon Town. Here was where Ritchie would start to make a name for himself, being awarded the Robins'player of the season in his first campaign.

We've seen his wand of a left foot in action in the Premier League, but people forget his time at Bournemouth started off back in January 2013, with the club in League One. His two goals against Notts County helped the Cherries clinch promotion to the Championship. He'd repeat the success in the second tier, as Bournemouth were crowned league champions and promoted to the Premier League for the first time in their history.

7. Billy Sharp

If you think of the EFL, you think of Billy Sharp. At the age of 39, the veteran striker currently plays his football for League One side Doncaster Rovers, in his second permanent spell at the club. Sharp has scored goals everywhere he has played, starting off in League One with Scunthopre United, scoring 23 league goals in his debut season.

He's best recognised for being the Championship all-time top scorer with 130 goals. People also forget that he sits in 5th on the all-time scoring charts in League One with 107 goals. After a very brief spell in the MLS in 2023 with LA Galaxy, where the striker played just 12 games, it was clear his passion still lied with scoring goals in the EFL.

Billy Sharp scores goals. ⚡️ pic.twitter.com/10OPwkG6DD

— Sheffield United (@SheffieldUnited) May 6, 2025

6. Kevin Ellison

Simply a legend of League Two, Kevin Ellison made over 550 appearances in the division, which is the most in history. Ellison was a relatively old-fashioned winger, not the most technically gifted player, but you would struggle to find a more tenacious and hardworking footballer.

His ability to score crucial goals is why he makes this list, which he continued to do even after surpassing 40-years-old. He played for teams which included Southport, Leicester, Stockport, Lincoln, Chester, Hull, Tranmere, Rotherham, Bradford, Morecambe and Newport.

5. Wes Morgan

Arguably the greatest defender to ever play in the EFL, Wes Morgan's rise to the top is remarkable. Before the Jamaican made footballing history in the top flight with the Foxes, he began his career at Nottingham Forest. He truly established himself when he helped the Reds achicve promotion to the Championship in the 2007/08 season.

He'd later be named club captain and kept his side in the divison, right up until his transfer to East Midlands rivals Leicester City in January 2012. Leicester would gain promotion to the Premier League under the defenders captaincy in the 2013/14 season with Nigel Pearson in charge, amassing over 100 points in the process.

🖋️ ... 🏆

Wes Morgan signed #OTD in 2012! pic.twitter.com/krWV5PhfwU

— Leicester City (@LCFC) January 30, 2024

4. Adel Taarabt

One of the silkiest players to ever play the game of football, let alone feature in the Championship. The talented attacking midfielder had two full seasons in the Championship with QPR and the latter has gone down as one of the greatest we have ever seen.

Taarabt managed 19 goals and 16 assists in the 2010/11 season as QPR were crowned champions and promoted to the Premier League. Despite his attitude issues, the Moroccan was undoubtedly one of the best at entertaining the crowd with his box of tricks.

3. George Boyd

Before he was a regular feature for Sean Dyche's robust Burnley team, George Boyd began his career in League One. Despite not being the fastest winger, his versatility and endless quality from his left foot made him a huge asset to any team. His most memorable spell at any club came with Peterborough United and Boyd is considered a Posh club legend.

In his second season with Peterborough, he'd help them achieve promotion to League One, scoring 15 goals that campaign and earning him a spot in the PFA team of the season. They achieved a succssive promotion to the Championship the following season. Boyd had a short loan spell at Nottingham Forest and later played for Hull where he achieved promotion to the Premier League, but switched allegiance that summer to also promotion winners Burnley.

2. Peter Whittingham

The late Cardiff legend Peter Whittingham was a fabulous midfielder who helped the Bluebirds achieve promotion in 2013 to the Premier League. He has provided the most assists in Championship history with 72, demonstrating his ability to find a teammate in the final third.

His left foot was exquisite and he had an amazing ability to score important goals. His most prolific goal scoring season came in 2009/10, as he won the golden boot from midfield by scoring 20 goals, his best return during his career. He holds the record for the most appearances for Cardiff with 457.

17 years ago, Cardiff City signed Peter Whittingham from Aston Villa for £350k…

The rest is history 🤩

💙 457 appearances
⚽️ 96 goals
🤝 93 assists

🏆 League Golden Boot 09/10
🏆 PFA TOTY 09/10, 11/12, 12/13
🏆 Cardiff POTY 09/10, 11/12
🏆 Football League Team of the Decade pic.twitter.com/xzEZtBsSvZ

— Three Little Birds  (@ThreeBluebirds_) January 11, 2024

1. Aleksandar Mitrovic

Despite often being misunderstood due to his tempermant, there was no misunderstanding with Aleksandar Mitrovic's goal scoring ability during his time in the Championship with Fulham. The Serbian striker had arguably the greatest season ever seen in the Championship in the 2020/21 campaign, where he netted 43 times in 44 appearances as Fulham became eventual champions.

His goal tally beat the previous record in a 46 game season set by Guy Whittingham for Portsmouth in 1992. Since the Championship was rebranded in 2004, no player has come remotely close to beating the striker's record and it is unlikely that they ever will.

Aleksandar Mitrovic scored 43 goals in 44 Championship matches for @FulhamFC last season 😲

So will you be signing him for £6.5m? 🤔#FPL pic.twitter.com/DAJkGh2w3t

— Fantasy Premier League (@OfficialFPL) July 2, 2022