Non-League Paper Programme: Abdul Abdulmalik and Danny Ormerod show the talent on offer

By Matt Badcock

Non-League talents Abdul Abdulmalik and Danny Ormerod have been making headlines all summer.

They were making them last season as well in fairness, with their performances on the pitch.

Abdulmalik starred for Boreham Wood in their run to the National League promotion final, his dazzling quick-feet lighting up Wembley back in May.

Ormerod fired 31 goals as AFC Fylde, where he came through the academy, won the National League North title to return to Step 1.

Food chain

Unsurprisingly, the scouts had noticed and clubs higher up the food chain wanted in.

Both clubs were public in saying they didn’t want to sell their starlets.

And that’s been the position until last week where both were eventually sold within a matter of days of each other.

Abdulmalik to Swedish side Djurgardens IF for a reported £1.5million fee – a new record – and Ormerod to well-known diamond polishers Peterborough United for £600,000.

It shows the level of Non-League football and the talent of both players they are able to command such fees – with both clubs potentially bagging future revenue like sell-ons down the line.

The pursuit of Abdulmalik has turned into a bit of a saga with an unfortunate end where he was no longer training or playing for Wood – he did score against FC Halifax – and the club frustrated by “press leaks” around his situation.

Connections

But upon departure the 23-year-old, who won The NLP’s Young Player of the Year at our National Game Awards last season, said: “The club means a lot to me because of how I’ve been supported here by fans, players and staff.

“Something I didn’t expect was to make as many great connections with staff and teammates who are either still at the club or have left, it really is a great place.

“The support I was shown allowed me to express myself so freely on the pitch and produce memorable moments, and I can’t thank them enough.

“My relationship with the supporters was good, I’d say. We’d interact in the ‘Glass House’ sometimes and have positive conversations.

“I enjoyed playing in front of you all and I wish the club all the best. I can’t wait to see the club in the EFL and progress as far as they can.”

Talent

Ormerod scored in two of his three games for Fylde this season and made his Posh debut last Saturday in their League One defeat at Blackpool.

“We had a chat with him in the office a couple of days after getting promoted,” Fylde boss Craig Mahon told The NLP.

“Obviously there was all talk about him then. I know he was injured but he was coming back and loads of people were talking about him, what he could do and where he could go.

“My big thing to him was, ‘Just don’t lose your hunger to be the best player on the pitch’. That’s what Danny has.

“If you watch his games, he never stops running, he never stops giving everything.

“I said to him, ‘You’ve got all the talent, just keep your hunger and you will go onto bigger and better things’.

“He’s done that all through pre-season, he’s started the season so well again.

“It’s a shame for us to lose such a character and a great player in the dressing room. That’s football.

“We have nothing but good things to say about Danny.”