At this point everybody knows the talent to be found in non-league football. Year after year, player after player makes the step up from England’s semi-professional leagues into the pro game, demonstrating not only the sheer strength in depth of English football’s pyramid but also the level of ability to be found across the board in semi-pro football.
While Jamie Vardy is the shining light, going from non-league at Stocksbridge Park Steels to winning the Premier League title, FA Cup and playing for England, there are countless examples of players making that jump from non-league to pro.
Nowadays, when it comes to scouting and recruitment, if your football club is not keeping a close eye on non-league then you are way behind the curve. All Football League clubs should be monitoring non-league for those next emerging gems, and indeed many of them now are as Covid-19 and budget cuts affect club’s finances. Finding the next unpolished gem simply makes business sense.
In 2017 I picked 7 non-league talents I thought would go on to play professional football. Six of these ended up making the jump, an 86% hit rate which I was quite proud of. Bear in mind this was before the days of easy video access via scouting platforms like Wyscout – you had to put in the hard yards and actually go out to games to find talent.
Nowadays it is a little easier and players can be monitored not only in-person but via video scouting platforms too. Finding non-league talents has been democratised, meaning more players are known earlier. That said, it still takes a good eye to be able to spot the ones that can go pro.
As a follow up to my 2017 piece, here are 10 players I feel can emerge in the 2021/22 season and make the grade in professional football.
Best non-league talents – 10 to keep an eye on
For the purposes of this article I am choosing National League players age 23 or under ONLY. Reason being – In the time since the 2017 article I have since co-founded a consultancy, Future Global Sports, whose founding aim is to work with, nurture and help guide the best young talent at semi-pro level and help them find opportunities and pathways into the professional game.
During this time we have had great success in helping discover players like Sorba Thomas, Priestley Farquharson, Sam Barratt and others, and continue to work in this space with the next crop of exciting young players.
Long story short, we keep our knowledge of the best talents at non-league Step 2 and below in house now. If you would like to access that information or learn more about our work feel free to drop me an email privately: [email protected], on Twitter @JFfutbol or check out our website Future Global Sports.
Jayden Harris (Aldershot Town)
Released by Fulham this summer, 21-year-old Jayden Harris is an exciting prospect you may well hear a lot about this season.
A combative player who can play in defence or midfield, Harris is different from many U23 academy players in that he is not afraid of the physical side of the game, and willingly makes tackles and defensive duels etc in midfield.
✍️NEW SIGNING: We are delighted to announce that @FulhamFC midfielder @jaydenharris38 has committed to Aldershot Town for the next two years!
Click the link below for more details! 👇
Welcome to the Shots Jayden!
— Aldershot Town FC (@OfficialShots) June 24, 2021
Harris adds bite and a threat when playing in central midfield areas but is also useful on the ball. He defends his box well from defensive set pieces e.g. corners and free-kicks and has a very committed, all-action style.
With a good physique, tall, long legs and the ability to play in multiple positions – he operated as a right-back, central midfielder and centre-back at Fulham, Harris is a player you can see enjoys the physical side of the game and embraces it. This should make him right at home in the hustle and bustle of National League football.
Though he does have a tendency to make the odd foul or two on occasion, the youngster is one to keep an eye on.
Chances of making it pro? 8/10
Joel Senior (Altrincham FC)
At 22 years old Joel Senior is a player who can definitely make the step up above non-league level. The former Burnley youngster is a physically robust full-back who operates predominantly as a right-back but can also play on the left hand side.
Energetic and strong in the challenge, Senior times his tackles well and is very good at reading the game to make timely interceptions. Going forward he can also create chances with positive forward play, an accurate long ball and decent crossing ability.
Despite his young age he already looks a seasoned campaigner at National League level, and while he may not be the quickest he can certainly get forward as an attacking outlet.
🏆 Supporters’ Player of the Season
🏆 Young Player of the Season
🏆 Manager’s Player of the Season
🏆 Goal of the Season⭐️ @JoelSenior_ is an absolute star.
You can now watch our awards presentations here ➡️ https://t.co/Th6LEYn9D3 pic.twitter.com/HPme9PSOFS
— Altrincham FC (@altrinchamfc) May 30, 2021
Chances of making it pro? 9/10
Kyle Hudlin (Solihull Moors)
Supposedly the tallest outfield professional footballer in Britain, young striker Kyle Hudlin is unlikely to be in non-league football much longer.
Though his enormous, basketballer-like frame is what first catches the eye, it belies the striker’s deft ability and impressive penalty box presence. The 21-year-old sniffs out chances and has a good instinct for sensing where the ball will land, capitalising on any errors from defenders or keepers and intuitive enough to grab any opportunity to pounce.
Cardiff City & Manchester City both interested in Britain’s tallest outfield player, 6ft 9in striker Kyle Hudlin? 🤔
It’s in the gossip ➡️ https://t.co/0DwTDq5ycd pic.twitter.com/mUIZPXCJhz
— BBC Sport Wales (@BBCSportWales) August 17, 2021
This time last year the forward didn’t even have a club. He was at Solihull United in step 7 of non-league football (English football’s 11th tier!) and went to trial at Solihull Moors in the National League in October after the season had already begun. He signed, scored 11 in 38 appearances, won the club’s Young Player of the Season award and Goal of the Season. A sign of just how quickly some players can step up when given a chance.
At 6ft 9ins it is easy to see why big clubs are taking a look at Hudlin. You can launch the ball up to him and he is good at receiving the ball on his chest and playing others in, as well as being an adept finisher. His extraordinary goal away to Halifax Town last season will tell you that – Hudlin controls a long ball on his chest, turns and fires an outstanding effort past the keeper from outside the area.
The links with Championship clubs like West Bromwich Albion, Cardiff City and Middlesbrough have been there for a while, but the rumour that Premier League champions Manchester City are scouting him certainly raised eyebrows.
Chances of making it pro? 8/10
Joe Sbarra (Solihull Moors)
Probably pushing it somewhat naming Joe Sbarra as a non-league talent – I have absolutely no idea what he is doing in non-league football given his ability – but a non-league footballer he currently is.
The intelligent central midfielder has made nearly 50-odd appearances at Championship and League One level for Burton Albion, but dropped into the National League at Solihull after being released by the Brewers in 2020, penning a two-year deal at Damson Park.
Sbarra has noteworthy technique, can unlock tight midfields, is a tenacious hard worker and can also find the back of the net. Still only 22, he can push to much higher levels.
😅 𝟗𝟎+𝟑 𝐨𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐜𝐥𝐨𝐜𝐤…
𝗦𝘁𝗲𝗽 𝗳𝗼𝗿𝘄𝗮𝗿𝗱 @JoeSbarra1 💥
💛💙 #SMFC #YourSolihullYourClub pic.twitter.com/GBsWImn7c5
— Solihull Moors FC (@SolihullMoors) February 7, 2021
Chances of making it pro? 9/10
Ephron Mason-Clark (Barnet FC)
A product of Barnet FC’s fruitful academy, Ephron Mason-Clark appears to be something of a hidden gem in non-league football. Despite this, the youngster is approaching close to 150 appearances for the Bees – and is still only 21 years old. Mason-Clark has been around the block and still has room to develop.
With a tidy turn of pace, good balance, the ability to accelerate past players with ease and also put in accurate crosses and through balls, the attacking wide player is a versatile young prospect who can aim to push up the divisions. Is also an England ‘C’ international.
The Bees were buzzing after Ephron Mason-Clark put @BarnetFC ahead versus @OfficialShots last season 🐝🤩 pic.twitter.com/qQ8OZmHqFa
— The National League (@TheVanaramaNL) September 18, 2020
Chances of making it pro? 8/10
Josh Walker (Dagenham and Redbridge)
A very smart signing by Dagenham and Redbridge, Josh Walker seems like a bit of an underrated player at this level and I was surprised not to see him snapped up by an EFL club this summer.
Walker scored 12 goals in 56 appearances for Barnet FC, but the former Fulham youngster never really thrived at the Bees due to the turbulent nature of the club during his time there. Save for a brief period under our one-time podcast guest Darren Currie who seemed to get the best out of him.
The former Fulham academy player has pace, bright movement, can beat a man 1v1 and knows how to finish off both feet. I like him and think if he stays injury free he can move up the ladder.
Chances of making it pro? 8/10
Ben House (Eastleigh FC)
The House always wins would be the obvious pun here but let me try and avoid it. Released by Reading FC, striker Ben House has shown resilience and determination to turn around his career and make a name for himself as one of the most talented forwards in non-league football.
The 22-year-old can operate as a target man-type striker but does also have a deceptive amount of pace on him. He presses and harasses opposing defenders. After leaving Reading he had spells at Swindon Town and Dagenham and Redbridge before a permanent move to Eastleigh FC.
11 goals in 46 appearances at National League level and a number of bustling performances have caught the attention of clubs both in the Football League and north of the border – House has duel English and Scottish heritage. Given the speculation it was somewhat surprising no teams came in for him this summer. It appears House will domesticate himself back at Eastleigh for another year after signing a new contract.
Monthly Awards 🏆 | Vanarama National League
👨🏫 Manager of the Month: Gary Johnson (Torquay United)
⚽ Player of the Month: Ben House (Eastleigh)
👤 Volunteer of the Month: Graham Keble (Dagenham & Redbridge)
➡️ https://t.co/ydrqK2NUmE pic.twitter.com/5FGTN5M0IT
— The National League (@TheVanaramaNL) November 9, 2020
Chances of making it pro? 8/10
Emile Acquah (Maidenhead United)
A striker who seems to have been written off by Southend United, both club and fans alike judging by some of the comments made when he left at the end of the 2020/21 season, but a player I have always liked whenever I have seen him play.
Emile Acquah came through Southend United’s academy, a tall, physical forward who can get on the end of crosses, offers strength and presence in the box and can shrug off defenders. As an U18 he had plenty of interest from other clubs but this seemed to dissipate. Southend’s problems over the past few years are also well documented, with back-to-back relegations.
Acquah was not retained after relegation so the 21-year-old was snapped up by Maidenhead United. Personally I think he can score goals at this level, he is still learning the game and I think under Alan Devonshire he can learn, win back some confidence in a new environment and kick on.
Chances of making it pro? 7/10
Tommy Block (Woking FC)
There was a huge amount of excitement around Tommy Block when he was a teenager at Bognor Regis Town, playing senior men’s football at the tender age of 17. Scouts flocked to watch the youngster marauding in midfield and his physique was that of a man even then.
Block eventually joined Scottish Premiership outfit Hibernian in 2019, but it never really worked out and he failed to make a single first team competitive appearance for the club before moving back down south to Woking FC.
Now 21, Block gives off Scott McTominay vibes – he is tall, tenacious, committed, hard-working, physically robust and can play a bit too, either in defence or midfield. He can kick on and move up the divisions again.
Chances of making it pro? 8/10
Sebastian Revan (Grimsby Town)
This one is cheating somewhat so we will count him as a bonus player only but I have to mention Sebastian Revan who I feel has the potential to be a really good player. He is in the National League for 2021/22, so he is included.
On loan at recently-relegated Grimsby Town from Aston Villa, Revan is an exciting left-back who is part of a really promising crop of young talents emerging at Villa Park.
Revan is an attacking left-back who is left footed, has good pace and is defensively alert for someone so young. The 18-year-old offers good delivery on his left foot crossing and is fleet of foot and quick enough to cover ground both ways. He is also capable of taking attacking free-kicks around the box looking to whip shots or crosses in and looks to have a very high ceiling.
How he adapts to the rigours of National League football will be intriguing. Can also play as a left-sided centre-back.
All the best at Grimsby, @SebRevan! 👊
— Aston Villa (@AVFCOfficial) July 28, 2021
Chances of making it pro? 8/10
Follow us on Twitter @JustFootball or Facebook for more coverage of world football – from Premier League to non-league level.
