The News Portsmouth suggest there are 15 ‘hottest’ non league players who look set to interest EFL giants later this summer.
The 2021/22 season delivered once more, proving there is enough talent to to be found in non league football. We continue to see footballers makes the step up from England’s non league tiers into the professional game.
Jamie Vardy is of course the biggest example who how one can go from semi pro life at a club like Stocksbridge Park Steels to go on and lift the Premier League trophy, win the FA Cup and play for England. Everyone’s always asking, who is the next one to do just that or come close.
We’ve also seen some players who have maybe had some sort of experience at clubs within the top four divisions but have since headed back into non league try find themselves again, reignite their career or purely to play for the love of the game.
When it comes to scouting and recruitment, it’s a must no matter what level the club are at, so a close eye is needed to be had on the non league scene.
All EFL clubs will no doubt be monitoring non league for those who are hot in form and indeed many of them will take advantage of this due to Covid and budget cuts affecting club’s finances.
Who are the 15 ‘hottest’ non league players who look set to interest EFL giants this summer? Take a look at who The News Portsmouth suggested below…
Alfie Rutherford
Alfie Rutherford is a striker who ignored FA advice to give up playing and has since helped Dorking Wanderers to become promotion contenders with 30 goals to his name. While the club missed out on the title, there is now hope he can play a huge part in seeing the club promoted to the National League for the first time in their history.
He was previously released by League One side Portsmouth, and has since played for the likes of Moneyfields, Havant & Waterlooville, Bognor and Eastbourne, before becoming one of the most talking about players in the National League South.
Rutherford was advised by the Football Association to quit playing during their teenage years due to a medical condition.
He was denied a Fratton Park scholarship in 2014 due to a heart condition – a two-year deal was withdrawn after he was diagnosed with aortic stenosis during a routine medical. This condition sees a narrow valve which consequently decreases blood flow from the heart. But he’s not let that stopped him from playing the game he loves.
He signed a new 2 and a half year contact at Dorking in January 2022, saying: “I’m very happy to sign a 2 year extension with Dorking. I really love the club and the journey I’ve been on so far, and I’m excited about what the future holds. It really feels like the club is on the up, and the fans have been absolutely brilliant with me. I’ve finally found my feet and form at Wanderers and long may that continue”.
SUPPORTERS PLAYER OF THE YEAR RESULT 🏆
The winner of the 21/22 season ‘Supporters Player of the Year’ award is…🥁
ALFIE RUTHERFORD 🍾
Well done Alfie and thank you to those who voted 👍
Special mention also to JOSH TAYLOR & MATT BRIGGS who came 2nd & 3rd respectively 👏 pic.twitter.com/3MDJL5NB1V
— Dorking Wanderers FC (@DorkingWDRS) June 6, 2022
Joe Sbarra
Sbarra started out at West Brom in his youth days, before Burton came calling and it was there where the 23-year-old launched his pro career. After 49 games with the Brewers, he left for Solihull on loan, impressed enough to secure a permanent deal, and stats don’t lie as he is dubbed one of the cleverest passers in the National League.
Sbarra was called up to the England C team for a friendly against Wales C in March 2022 having scored 24 times in 78 games since joining permanently in 2020.
He and Solihull striker Dallas have netted 38 goals between them this season to help the club to the playoff final, but lost to Grimsby.
What’s better than one show-stopper finish? 🤔
TWO! ☄️😲@SolihullMoors’ Joe Sbarra 👏 pic.twitter.com/L2dhgHbpIv
— The National League (@TheVanaramaNL) August 26, 2021
Kyle Hudlin
Huddersfield Town are in advanced talks to sign Solihull Moors forward Kyle Hudlin.
The 6ft 9in giant, who is the tallest outfield professional player in Britain, has been on the radar of multiple EFL clubs including the Terriers and Sheffield Wednesday.
Hudlin scored the opening goal for Solihull during the National League Promotion Playoff final on Sunday (5 June), adding to the five he also scored for the 2021/22 season. His total tally for the Moors sat at 15 in 62 games.
🗞️ Huddersfield Town are expected to see off competition from Sheffield Wednesday to sign 6ft 9in Solihull Moors striker Kyle Hudlin.
He’s the tallest outfield pro player in Britain 🇬🇧#HTAFC | #SWFC pic.twitter.com/rN6DG1t5dj
— The #EFL Zone (@TheFLZone) June 6, 2022
Kabongo Tshimanga
The DR Congo striker has scored 24 goals in 27 matches for Chesterfield in the National League this season, and it would have been more if it weren’t for a nasty injury towards the end of the campaign.
Tshimanga was named the Players’ Player of the Year and and Player of the Year. He can be proud of the amount of minutes played, puts him up there with some of the most prolific strikers in the club’s history.
He suffered a fractured leg and a dislocated ankle against Weymouth in February and his side struggled for goals and slipped down the table since, got a playoff place but failed to reach the final.
Several teams, including the likes of Norwich City and Middlesbrough, are reportedly want him but it is thought it would take a bid of around £1million to persuade Chesterfield to sell him.
2⃣4⃣ Goals in 2⃣7⃣
for Kabongo Tshimanga 💙💙💙
doesn’t make your team.
Best goal scoring ratio in the league. Scoring 0.90 Goals per 90 minutes.
Only Mullin scored more then him even tho he missed a 1/3 of season.
Madden 2⃣3⃣ In 4⃣3⃣
Rodrigues 2⃣0⃣ in 4⃣3⃣
Mcatee 1⃣5⃣ in 3⃣8⃣ https://t.co/J8VY9sZmdv pic.twitter.com/Xr8bSpP5UF— Woli Guacamoli (@Oli120312) June 5, 2022
Ruben Rodrigues
Dutchman is one of the hottest properties in the top tier of non league where he’s bagged 20 goals in 43 matches.
The playmaker provided plenty of excitement in his debut campaign, scooping May’s Vanarama National League Player of the Month award and helped the club to the playoffs but didn’t reach the final.
He was a crucial figure once again in our dramatic victory over Chesterfield before levelling up Notts County’s semi-final tie at Torquay with an excellent header.
And his overall efforts were enough to mark his debut campaign with the fans’ Player of the Season award.
Bullet header! 💥
There was no stopping this Rúben Rodrigues effort.
Notts County are level! pic.twitter.com/UXu8QvtTo5
— Football on BT Sport (@btsportfootball) June 12, 2021
Kyle Wootton
Notts County have offered a contract to Portsmouth and Stockport County target Kyle Wootton, 24, with Danny Cowley watching the Notts County striker who’s hit 19 goals in 44 for the Magpies this term.
It has also emerged that Championship outfits Rotherham United and Luton Town have looked at him as well.
He has fired 52 goals in 125 games for Notts County since his move there after playing for Scunthorpe and also had loan spells at Lincoln, North Ferriby, Cheltenham, Stevenage and Halifax to get experience.
Take a bow, @Kyle_Wootton_9 👏 pic.twitter.com/qPNzdvCQIj
— Notts County FC (@Official_NCFC) November 17, 2021
Max Kretzschmar
Former Wycombe player signed for Woking where he has 13 goals and six assists from an attacking midfield role. This game him a combined xG and xA of 20.66.
He signed a new contract in the summer of 2021. the attacking midfield player, who prefers to play in an advanced playmaker role but has also been utilised out wide, has had two spells with the Cards.
He originally moved to the Laithwaite Community Stadium in 2016, joining from Wycombe, making 24 appearances. Despite struggling with injuries, he still netted three times, including a goal against Dagenham & Redbridge on the final day of the 2016/17 season, a strike which ensured Woking’s National League survival.
After a one year absence he returned to the club in 2018 and played a key role in the Cards’ National League South promotion winning campaign.
He finished the year as the club’s joint top scorer with 15 goals in all competitions, including a memorable equaliser in the play-off semi-final against Wealdstone, a game which Woking would go on to win 3-2.
Injuries limited his impact on his return to the National League, keeping him to just 13 league starts, but he showed flashes of his best form ahead of the season’s untimely conclusion, scoring in the draw with Notts County and the win over FC Halifax Town.
Despite the Cards enduring a challenging year on and off the pitch, it was a successful campaign for the number ten as he once again finished as the club’s top scorer, netting 10 in all competitions for 2020/21 then got 13 in 36 for 2021/22.
10 points out of 12. Double figures for the season ⚽️.Enjoyment. Tougher games coming up though. pic.twitter.com/G3lFkb0b5w
— Max Kretzschmar (@max_kretzschmar) March 24, 2022
Jordan Davies
23-year-old Welshman Jordan Davies has scored 16 goals for Wrexham, and was rewarded for an excellent season with a place in the Vanarama National League Team of the Season.
He also helped his side reach this year’s FA Trophy final but lost to Bromley, before losing 5-4 against Grimsby in the playoffs.
Wrexham will no doubt do all they can to keep hold of this guy, but will EFL clubs do enough to tempt him in?
A lovely free kick from Jordan Davies puts Wrexham ahead against Weymouth! 🎯
The goalkeeper didn’t even move 💥 pic.twitter.com/oATEFEPmGm
— Football on BT Sport (@btsportfootball) December 11, 2021
Greg Olley
Former Hull City player Greg Olley has enjoyed one hell of a season, producing 28 assists with Gateshead to win the National League North title.
The former Tigers midfielder joined the Heed after his release from City back in 2018 and has since become as one of the best talents outside of the Football League.
His impressive assists tally this season is the highest in the top six divisions in England, bettering the likes of Mo Salah, Harry Wilson, Sean McConville and Mitch Pinnock who lead the way in their respective divisions.
Olley said: “The last four years have probably been the best footballing times of my career. I’ve loved every minute of being here.
“We’ve won the league and it isn’t an easy league to win at all. I wouldn’t say comfortably because we’ve been quite nervous – I’ve been nervous for the last six or seven weeks but it just shows how far we’ve come and long may it continue.
“I car school with Adam [Campbell] and every possibility that could have happened from Brackley losing, Brackley drawing or winning, us losing, drawing or winning, every scenario was debated and to come off the pitch at Brackley and to go unbeaten – is testament to what we have built.”
Greg Olley
Greg Olley
Put your hands all over my body https://t.co/Qkc6CuOUxc— Gilles (@GillesOffTheWeb) May 7, 2022
Ryan Colclough
He has previously had EFL experience and has been a standout winger in the National League for Altrincham.
He scored 11 and got 10 assists of the 42 matches he played to help Alty to a credible 14th place finish, 55 points from 44 games and well clear of relegation and around 20 points from the playoffs.
His old clubs are Crewe Alexandra, Wigan Athletic, MK Dons and Scunthorpe and has already won the Football League Trophy: 2012–13 with Crewe and League One: 2017–18 with Wigan.
2021/22 Season | ||||||
Apps | Starts | Sub | Mins | Goals | Assists | |
League | 38 | 36 | 2 | 3124 | 11 | 10 |
Cup | 4 | 3 | 1 | 293 | 0 | 0 |
Overall | 42 | 39 | 3 | 3417 | 11 | 10 |
Altrincham Career | ||||||
App | Starts | Sub | Goals | |||
League | 66 | 59 | 7 | 19 | ||
Cup | 4 | 3 | 1 | 0 | ||
Overall | 70 | 62 | 8 | 19 |
🏆FULL ALTY AWARDS DETAILS🏆
Young Player of Season:
Isaac MarriottMgr’s Player of Season:
Toby MullarkeyFans Player of Season:
1st- Ryan Colclough
2nd- Toby Mullarkey
3rd- Dan MooneyPlayers Player of Season:
Dan MooneyGoal of Season:
Ryan Colclough (Woking)Cont… pic.twitter.com/5TdWPz2qQx
— Inter Alty FC! (@Inter_Alty1977) May 19, 2022
Jacob Mendy
The left-back from Gambia has caught the eye of plenty of scouts as Boreham Wood had a journey to remember in the FA Cup this season, losing to Everton in the fifth round and also played a part in the club finishing 9th in the National League.
At 17, he spent a year in Atletico Madrid’s academy after initially rebuffing their interest during his time in Spain.
That loyalty was rewarded after the La Liga giants returned for Mendy at the end of the season.
After his time in Spain came to an end, Mendy had spells at Shoreham, Redhill and Carshalton Athletic before his time at Wealdstone led to his big break with Boreham Wood and has since turned down league interest to join an ambitious project at Meadow Park, with the Hertfordshire outfit currently vying for a historic promotion to the EFL, the wait for them goes on after missing out on the playoffs.
“Don’t let him on his left foo… ah”
This is what Jacob Mendy is capable of. Excited, @BOREHAM_WOODFC fans? 🎯#TheVanarama pic.twitter.com/6aZTru4Z14
— Vanarama (@Vanarama) August 6, 2021
Jeff King
Jeff King plays as a defender for National League side Chesterfield. King started his career in non-league playing for Altrincham, Prescot Cables, Nantwich Town, Kendal Town, Trafford, Ashton United, Witton Albion and Droylsden, before joining the academy of Bolton Wanderers.
King joined Chesterfield after winning FC Halifax Town’s Player of the Year award last season and being named in the Vanarama Team of the Season. He scored seven goals in 35 appearances last term, including one against the Spireites at the Technique Stadium.
King joined Halifax from St Mirren two years ago after playing for a number of clubs including Bolton and this season scored 5 goals in 37 appearances to help Chesterfield reach the playoffs but failed to get to the final.
💥 Rate this Jeff King free-kick out of 10? pic.twitter.com/dr1JPWA1Xv
— NonLeagueDaily — By Betting.co.uk (@NonLeagueNews) January 20, 2022
Ephron Mason-Clark
There is plenty of potential in the 22 year old winger Mason-Clark who currently plays for Barnet.
He signed his first professional deal with Barnet in July 2016 after graduating from the youth academy. Possessing the skill to play either as a striker or on the left-wing, he made his debut for the club as a substitute in the Checkatrade Trophy against Norwich Under 23’s.
A loan spell at Metropolitan Police from October to November got Mason-Clark his first taste of league football. He wouldn’t have to wait long until his Football League debut though, coming on as a substitute against Crewe Alexandra just a week later.
Mason-Clark has established himself as a first-team regular and is a fan favourite at The Hive London. With pace, power and goals to his games, the future is certainly bright for him.
What a finish!! 💥
Fantastic strike from @BarnetFC‘s Ephron Mason-Clark as he equalised for the Bees 🐝
Flew like a rocket 🚀 pic.twitter.com/UU8mBN0R0R
— Football on BT Sport (@btsportfootball) April 2, 2022
Ryan Seager
Seager has had a prolific season with the 26-year-old hitting 31 goals in 45 matches in the National League South for Hungerford Town.
He has been capped twice for England U17 and previously played for the likes of Southampton, Crewe, MK Dons, Yeovil, Telstar, Havant and Frome.
Overall for Hungerford’s he’s scored 45 goals in 66 goals since joining them in 2020.
The @HungerfordTown fans love a Ryan Seager mega drive 😍☄️
How many goals will the sharp shooter grab in 2021/22? 🥇 pic.twitter.com/QNjecLCV3G
— The National League (@TheVanaramaNL) August 3, 2021
Paul Mullin
Winning awards, scoring goals, it’s no surprise to see this 27-year-old top the National League goal charts after dropping out of the EFL with a move to Wales from Cambridge, after winning and taking the League Two golden boot last summer.
For 2021/22, he scored 32 goals in 44 matches, helped take Wrexham to the playoffs but lost 5-4 to Grimsby, one of his goals controversial with it described Maradona Hand of God style.
I think those Wrexham fans enjoyed this one from Paul Mullin!🤯
😍😍😍
📹 – @Wrexham_AFC pic.twitter.com/zhRnf7PZ9B
— Footy Accumulators (@FootyAccums) April 3, 2022
Vanarama National League Awards:
Player of the Season – Paul Mullin (Wrexham)
Manager of the Season – Dave Challinor (Stockport County)
Vanarama National League Team of the Season
Sam Johnson – FC Halifax Town
Jayden Richardson – Notts County
Ash Palmer – Stockport County
Aaron Hayden – Wrexham
Harry Boyes – Solihull Moors
Joe Sbarra – Solihull Moors
Jordan Davies – Wrexham
Ruben Rodrigues – Notts County
Kabongo Tshimanga – Chesterfield
Paul Mullin – Wrexham
Paddy Madden – Stockport County
PLAYER OF THE YEAR – NATIONAL LEAGUE NORTH
Macaulay Langstaff – Gateshead
TOP GOALSCORER – NATIONAL LEAGUE NORTH
Macaulay Langstaff – Gateshead – 28
MANAGER OF THE YEAR – NATIONAL LEAGUE NORTH
Mike Williamson – Gateshead
PROGRAMME OF THE YEAR – NATIONAL LEAGUE NORTH
Boston United
TEAM OF THE SEASON – NATIONAL LEAGUE NORTH
GK – Danny Lewis – Brackley Town
DF – Gareth Dean – Brackley Town
DF – Louis Lomas – Brackley Town
DF – Alex Penny – Kidderminster Harriers
MF – Nick Haughton – AFC Fylde
MF – Greg Olley – Gateshead
MF – Sam Austin – Kidderminster Harriers
MF – Shane Byrne – Boston United
STR – Macaulay Langstaff – Gateshead
STR – Glen Taylor – Spennymoor Town
STR – Cedwyn Scott – Gateshead
PLAYER OF THE YEAR – NATIONAL LEAGUE SOUTH
Joan Luque – Maidstone United
TOP GOALSCORER – NATIONAL LEAGUE SOUTH
Alfie Rutherford – Dorking Wanderers – 30
MANAGER OF THE YEAR – NATIONAL LEAGUE SOUTH
Hakan Hayrettin – Maidstone United
PROGRAMME OF THE YEAR – NATIONAL LEAGUE SOUTH
Chelmsford City
TEAM OF THE SEASON – NATIONAL LEAGUE SOUTH
GK – Ben Dudzinski – Oxford City
RB – Barry Fuller – Dorking Wanderers
CB – Joe Ellul – Maidstone United
CB – Tom Bonner – Dartford
LB – Jerome Binnom-Williams – Maidstone United
CM – Jack Jebb – Dartford
CM – Josh Ashby – Oxford City
CM – Matthew Briggs – Dorking Wanderers
STR – Alfie Rutherford – Dorking Wanderers
STR – Shaun Jeffers – St Albans City
STR – Joan Luque – Maidstone United

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