Every young football player dreams of playing in the Premier League but unfortunately, very few make it and for some, the road is a very long one. However, circumstances can change very quickly in football and a good season can put players on the radar of the big clubs. There are several success stories of non-league footballers who have caught the attention of the scouts in the top-flight and so we thought we’d put together a list of football players who have gone from non-league all the way to the Premier League.
1. Jamie Vardy
Jamie Vardy is perhaps one of the biggest success stories in football and has given hope to several players playing in the lower leagues.
Vardy was released by Sheffield Wednesday at the age of 16 and moved to non-league side Stocksbridge Park Steels where he spent three seasons. He signed for Halifax Town in 2010 where he won the ‘Players’ Player of the Year’ award after scoring 25 goals in his first season.
His performances caught the eye of Fleetwood Town who signed the striker in August 2011. Vardy went on to have another impressive season, scoring 31 goals for his new team and winning the ‘Player of the Year’ award.
The following year, Vardy got his big break as Championship side Leicester City called upon his services and secured his signature for £1m. Leicester went on to win the Championship in 2014, propelling Vardy from non-league to the top flight in just 3 years.
Just a year after playing in the Premier League, Vardy received his first England callup and has since achieved 26 caps for his country.
2. Joe Hart
Joe Hart is currently playing for Scottish side Celtic but has had stints at various top English clubs such as Manchester City, Burnley, West Ham and Tottenham. He’s also notched up 75 senior England caps which is impressive for a player who has worked his way up from non-league.
Hart made his senior debut for conference side Shrewsbury Town in 2003 and three years later signed for Premier League club Manchester City.
The England international has since won the Premier League, League Cup and FA Cup.
3. Ian Wright
Ian Wright had huge success at both Crystal Palace and Arsenal where he scored a combined 218 goals in 446 appearances. However, before signing for Palace, Wright had been playing for non-league club Greenwich Borough and was playing Sunday League football up until the age of 21.
After being given his big break, Wright went on to be called up for England and achieved a total of 33 caps.
4. Les Ferdinand
Les Ferdinand is the Premier Leagues 11th highest scorer with 149 goals but not many know he was once a non-league player.
Ferdinand played for non-league Hayes from 1986-87 before enjoying success at QPR, Newcastle, Tottenham, West Ham, Leicester City and other notable clubs.
5. Chris Smalling
Centre-back Chris Smalling made a quick rise to the top from non-league club Maidstone United to 13-time Premier League winners Manchester United.
Smalling spent just one season with Maidstone before being signed by Fulham in 2008. He spent two years with the London club and made the transfer to the Premier League giants in 2010 where he spent 10 years.
