The Premier League Stars Now In Non-League

With the fixtures now released and the new season fast approaching, we look at the ex-Premier League stars now playing in Non-League football.

A number of ex-Premier League stars ply their trade in Non-League football, with Argentinian Julio Arca still going strong at the age of 36.

Having made more than 300 combined appearances for Middlesbrough and Sunderland in the Premier League and Championship, he joined South Shields in 2015 and has been banging in the goals with regularity.

Jonathan Greening is a couple of years older than Arca but, after spells with Manchester United, West Brom, Boro and Fulham in the top-flight, he ended up at Tadcaster Albion in 2015.

He actually has a Champions League-winner’s medal having been on the bench for the Red Devils in their 1999 triumph, despite not playing a single minute of their European campaign.

Lee Hughes tasted the Premier League with West Brom, while also playing for many other clubs such as Coventry, Blackpool and Oldham but, at 41, can now be seen at Worcester City in the Midlands Football League.

The veteran has scored goals wherever he has played and fans of The Blues will be happy to hear that the tipster experts at BonusCode.co.uk have him to keep firing them in for the foreseeable future.

Centre back Darren Purse enjoyed a season in the Premier League with Birmingham City and one with Midlands rivals West Brom but has been around Non-League football for some time.

The 40-year-old has played for Chesham, Welling United, Staines, Rushden and Diamonds and Hayes & Yeading United but now finds himself at Enfield Town.

The former England Under-21 defender is also assistant manager at the Queen Elizabeth II Stadium in the Isthmian League Premier Division.

Solihull-born Darren Carter also played at the top level for Birmingham and the Baggies and, having spent last season with Forest Green Rovers, will turn out for Solihull Moors this term.

Paul Konchesky earned two England caps and featured in England’s top division for Charlton, Tottenham, West Ham, Fulham, Liverpool and, most recently Leicester City.

The Barking-born 36-year-old enjoyed his first taste of Non-League football at Billericay Town having left Gillingham in February to move to the Essex outfit.

He has now signed up for the upcoming campaign to play for Glenn Tamplin at the New Lodge.

Ex-Republic of Ireland forward Clinton Morrison is best known for his stints at Birmingham City and Crystal Palace but can now be seen at Northern Premier League Premier Division Mickleover Sports.

Now 38, the Londoner’s first experience of Non-League football came at Long Eaton United while he also turned out for Redditch United before ending up at Mickleover.

Former Tottenham, Wolves and Fulham midfielder Jamie O’Hara joined Billericay Town late last season and will again ply his trade for the club in the coming campaign.

Still only 30, he has clause in his contract enabling him to leave if a Championship club or better comes in for him but, for the time being, is with Konchesky in Essex.

There is not enough time to list Steve Claridge’s former clubs but he graced the Premier League with Leicester City and lifted the League Cup.

The popular TV and radio pundit manages Salisbury but dusted off his boots to turn out for The Whites in pre-season.

It remains to be seen if he gets a run-out in the regular season, however.