In England, football is, without a doubt, the most popular sport, established in this country in 1863. England has more than 40K registered football clubs and associations, which is more than any other country. Non-league players might not be in the spotlight as much, but it was the perfect starting point for many players.
Thus, let’s look at players who had humble beginnings, yet they managed to hit the arenas for most of the most prestigious football tournaments. Remember Jamie Vardy? A genuinely inspirational legend that had his start in Fleetwood Town. Now, he is a Premier League winner and a record-breaker.
1. Michail Antonio
Another excellent example of a non-league player turned professional is Michail Antonio. He started his career in Tooting and Mitcham United. At the age of 17, he showcased enough skills and talent to end up targeted by Championship side Reading. The road to success took a lot, but Antonio was prepared for more. Finally, he signed with West Ham United for approximately 7 million pounds. Most recently, he is still fighting hard at the same club and both for Jamaica national team.
2. Troy Deeney
Troy Deeney was only 19 years old when he played one of his first professional football matches for Walsall. Before that, he was a part of Chelmsley Town, and those were simpler times. However, at the age of 15, he was spotted by the Walsall’s then Head of Youth. The rest is history. Of course, Deeney was no stranger to more complex things in life. For instance, he has admitted to being hungover for his trial at Walsall. In one article, Deeney shared his traumatized past.
Deeney is one of the best strikers despite his complicated life, and his story can be an inspiration for fans struggling with similar issues.
3. Chris Smalling
Chris Smalling also began his career in non-league football. His performance for Maidstone United was the main reason why Fulham F.C. started to pay attention to Smalling. Suddenly, he was no longer a part of the non-league football. He realized that somehow, he began playing under Sir Alex Ferguson. Smalling has won two titles with the Red Devils, and there are many glorious moments of him in the field.
4. Yannick Bolasie
Yannick Bolasie started his journey at Southern Division One South and West side Hillingdon Borough. He had also moved to Europe to be a part of Floriana in the Maltese Premier League. However, it did not take long for him to return as he was offered a trial with Plymouth Argyle. Bolasie has also played for Bristol City, Crystal Palace, and Everton. Most recently, he played for the EFL Championship club Middlesbrough.
5. Joe Hart
Joe Hart has done a lot throughout his career, and he continues to astonish. As his first passion, he had also tried cricket and played alongside Steven Davies. However, football never left his heart. The first career began in Shrewsbury Town in the Football Conference and League Two. However, it did not take long for some top-rank teams to notice his talent.
Hart has played for Manchester City, Burnley, and Tottenham Hotspur. He currently plays for the Celtic F.C.
A true inspiration
Every legend needs to start somewhere. And non-league football is a great way to hone skills and prepare for intense matches in the big arena. All these players are inspirational, and their talent has allowed them to reach for the stars. You can also still cheer for them during matches. For instance, Joe Hart will constantly surprise and showcase his talent. However, geo-restrictions could stand in the way of you watching these players. Luckily, you can change IP and beat these blocks. A VPN is an excellent solution for ensuring that your activities are private, and you can access the content you want even when visiting abroad.
