Which NLF players have the biggest social media followings? Andy Carroll, Wilfried Zaha, Robbie Savage and more

By Oliver Shorland

The Non League football scene is now littered with former Premier League players plying their trade in various roles across the pyramid.

There are former Liverpool, Manchester United and Newcastle United stars playing, managing or owning clubs across the vast spectrum of Non League teams.

Here, Non-League Paper writer Oliver Shorland takes a look at some of the biggest names with big social followings in their locker.

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Andy Carroll: Striker, Dagenham & Redbridge – 235k Instagram, 262k X

Once an England international, Andy Carroll spent the last few years of his career in France playing for both Amiens and Bordeaux. 

Carroll opened his account for the Daggers last Saturday, netting the only goal in a 1-0 victory over Chippenham Town to give his side their first away win of the season.

Robbie Savage: Manager, Forest Green Rovers – 134k Instagram, 1.5M X

Former player turned pundit and now manager, Robbie Savage seems to have done it all when it comes to football. 

After winning the Northern Premier League title with Macclesfield in his maiden season in the managerial game, Savage took the step up to the National League in a bid to take Forest Green Rovers back to the EFL on the second time of asking. 

Playing in his own words an “aggressive form of football”, Savage’s side currently occupy fifth place in the National League table whilst they also sit top of their group in the National League Cup.

Adam Le Fondre: Player, FC United of Manchester – 24.4k Instagram, 59.9k X

In a career that has seen him play in Australia, India and most recently Scotland, Le Fondre has come full circle in his career and is now back in Manchester, this time with fan-owned FC United of Manchester. 

At the age of 38, the former Bolton Wanderers and Rotherham United forward has racked up 24 goals in his two seasons so far in the Northern Premier League.

Miguel Azeez: Player, Morecambe – 327k Instagram, 89.9k X

Still just 23 years old, Miguel Azeez has travelled across England, Greece and Spain in search of a permanent home, but found one in the summer with the Shrimps. 

A product of Arsenal’s Hale End academy, Azeez has so far been unable to find his feet after several loan spells away from his parent club.

Wilfred Zaha: Part owner, AFC Croydon Athletic – 2M Instagram, 1M X

In 2023, it was confirmed that former Crystal Palace forward Zaha was part of a three-man consortium, including rapper Stormzy, that acquired AFC Croydon Athletic. 

Zaha and co will be happy with where the Croydon-based side are at so far, sitting third in the Isthmian South-East Division table after 13 games this season.

Charlie Austin: Player, Basingstoke Town – 39k Instagram, 161k X

The former QPR and West Brom hitman recently joined Basingstoke Town after a brief spell at AFC Totton following their promotion to the National League South. 

Before moving to the non-league scene, the forward had a dream reunion with Swindon Town, joining the club he made his senior debut for in 2022.

READ MORE: Which Non-League sides will take part in the Isuzu FA Trophy Second Round Proper?