NON-LEAGUE
As Jamie Vardy hoist the Premier League
trophy above his rain-soaked head, he became
one of just two former non-league, current
Premier League players to have done so, the
other being Joe Hart. Yet there are plenty of
rough diamonds that once shimmered on the
muddy turf of the National Leagues.
One such example is Crystal Palace’s dazzling
dribbler Yannick Bolasie. The Democratic
Republic of Congo international began his career
at Hillingdon Borough, just off the M40, moving
on to short spells in Malta and the South West of
England prior to establishing himself at Selhurst
Park.
20
Swansea City and Wales international Neil Taylor
was once flying down the flanks like Frankel at the
Racecourse Ground, home of National League side
Wrexham, before making the short trip to Swansea
where he has plied his trade since 2010.
Manchester United Players’ Player of the Year
Chris Smalling was a star at Maidstone United
before becoming a regular for both the Red Devils
and England, playing in the club’s youth ranks
ahead of a move to Fulham in 2008.
There are many more names, too. Charlie Austin,
Craig Dawson, Ashley Williams, Lee Tomlin,
Michail Antonio, Callum
Wilson, Dwight Gayle, Ben
Foster, Steve Cook and Danny
Ings have all forged careers on
the back of time in non-league
football.
Vardy isn’t a one off.