Non League Success Stories

With Hanwell Town in the 7th Tier of the English Football League Ladder, they are in similar depths that many current footballing stars started their careers in. In the world of football, anything is possible, with the majority of players seen in the professional leagues starting their careers in many different tiers of the football ladder. Here are some of the most prominent non-league player success stories that have helped teams in the Premier League.

Andre Gray: After Shrewsbury released the striker early in his career, he was playing in the 7th tier, at Hinckley United before signing for the then Conference side Luton in 2012. After a fantastic season in 2013/14 scoring 30 goals, he helped the Hatters to the Conference title and was then picked up by Brentford in the Championship. But ever since 2016 Gray has been in the Premier League, first at Burnley and now Watford, and has netted over 20 goals in the top flight.

Michail Antonio: Antonio made his senior footballing debut at 17 for Tooting and Mitcham, after playing for them for 5 years prior. Reading then signed the attacker a year later, and by the age of 25 has become a regular for West Ham in the Prem, having won the Iron’s player of the year award in 2017 and playing over 100 games in the top flight.

Tyrone Mings: A player who has received lots of praise this season is Villa centre half Tyrone Mings. Mings played for Chippenham Town and had a second job before Ipswich signed the defender for £10,000. Since then he has signed for Bournemouth and currently plays at Aston Villa, having a solid season and has been a name that many clubs will look to buy this summer.

Chris Smalling: Now playing his football in Rome, the former Manchester United center back was playing his football for Maidstone United before Fulham signed him in 2008. Just 18 months later Manchester United bought the Englishman, and he has since then won 2 Premier League titles, the FA Cup and the Europa League, as well as making 31 appearances for the England national team.

Ian Wright: A fairly late success story for the quality of the veteran striker, Ian Wright was signed by Crystal Palace at the age of 21 from Greenwich Borough. His career at Palace was appreciated, helping them to promotion and famously scoring in the FA Cup final against Manchester United in 1990. He moved to Arsenal when he was 28, and Won the Premier League and FA Cup with the gunners, netting 113 league goals over the years, as well as making 33 national team appearances, scoring 9 goals

Jamie Vardy: The most infamous success story in england over the last decade has got to be this man. After spells at Stocksbridge Park and Halifax Town it was at Fleetwood where the striker flourished, scoring 31 league goals in their 2011/12 campaign, and completing a move to then Championship Leicester City. Since then, he has helped them to promotion to the top flight, and was one of the key players in the amazing Leicester Premier League title win of the 2015/16 season, scoring 24 league goals that year. He is also currently in pole position for the golden boot this season, scoring 19 goals in just 26 league games.