There’s an old saying; if there is no risk, there is no reward. Here we delve into ten current EFL starlets who made the life-changing leap from the depths of non-league to the English football league.
With the ever-growing constant injection of cash, even non-league outfits are becoming more sustainable and recognised as ‘professional’ clubs, therefore we are going to look deeper into those individuals who performed at step three or below in the non-league pyramid (seventh to tenth tier).
London-born Jones began his career with Tooting & Mitcham United (step three of non-league), where he would spend two campaigns with The Terrors competing in England’s seventh tier, The Isthmian League Premier.
Middlesbrough would roll the dice on the then 20-year-old who initially linked up with the Championship outfit’s Under 23’s. Eventual loan moves to Scottish clubs; St Johnstone and Queen of the South would transpire respectively, helping Jones to gain valuable experience.
It was the 2021/22 campaign where the 24-year-old would ultimately break into the first-team, enjoying a stellar season at the Riverside Stadium. Gradually, Isaiah Jones has been recognised as one of the second tiers’ most devastating attackers, with the lightning quick wide-man recording 15 assists in the Championship since the beginning of the 2021/22 season.
Unlike many professional’s who develop in recognised academy systems, Dan Scarr’s journey has been unique. Born in Bromsgrove, the 6’2 central defender, spent time with Redditch United alongside Stourbridge.
In 2017, whilst playing in the Northern Premier League (step three of non-league), Scarr would impress local giants, Birmingham City, prompting them to snap-up the then 22-year-old. Despite spending two-and-a-half seasons with The Blues, the boyhood Birmingham fan would fail to register a single league appearance in his stay at St Andrews.
Moving to Walsall in January 2019, it was with The Saddlers where the 29-year-old would quickly establish himself as a defensive rock in League Two, ultimately earning a move to current employers Plymouth Argyle in the summer of 2021.
Spending time in the youth set-ups with both Charlton Athletic and Arsenal, Tanner failed to earn a professional deal, leading the winger to join non-league Bromley. After only making a handful of appearances for The Ravens, the 21-year-old spent time with Folkestone Invicta, before linking up with Lewes in the Isthmian Premier Division (step three of non-league).
Despite receiving interest from Premier League giants Tottenham Hotspur, a move to Cardiff City would come to fruition in June 2022. Unable to break into the first-team in his maiden professional campaign, Tanner headed to the National League, with York City on loan in January 2023.
With the appointment of Erol Bulut, The Bluebirds ’32’ has become a valuable squad-member, featuring 23 times in the Championship already this campaign, including a memorable strike against rival’s Swansea City.
Three-cap Albanian international, Anis Mehmeti, spent time with Fulham, Tottenham Hotspur and Norwich City as a youngster. However, after failing to secure a deal with The Canaries, the Islington-born attacker joined Essex senior league outfit Woodford Town in 2019.
With the campaign coming to an abrupt halt due to the arising Coronavirus pandemic, Mehmeti found himself sidelined from the pitch. Fast-forward to September 2020, and after a successful trial, the 22-year-old joined Wycombe Wanderers, making an instant impact and recording 29 appearances in the Championship.
After featuring 97 times for The Chairboys, Mehmeti would earn a move back to England’s second tier, with Bristol City, for an undisclosed fee. Although the figure has not been revealed, Wycombe acknowledged it as club-record sale.
A true non-league journeyman, Alfie May spent time with Billericay Town, Chatham Town, VCD Athletic and most notably Hythe Town, where he would earn his dream move to the EFL, with Doncaster Rovers.
Signed as a rapid winger, May spent three years in Yorkshire with The Rovers, totalling 117 appearances alongside 23 goals. In January 2019, Cheltenham Town would secure the 30-year-old’s services for a small, undisclosed fee.
In Gloucestershire, the Kent-born forward would become a club-legend, breaking The Robins top EFL goal-scorer record, and helping Micheal Duff and co to the League Two Title in 2021. Wanting to move closer to home, after four years in red and white, Charlton Athletic signed the clinical finisher for a rumoured fee of £250,000.
22-year-old George Thomason, has taken one of the biggest jumps on the list. After failing to earn a scholarship with Blackpool, the midfielder joined Longridge Town who compete in the North West Counties League (step four of non-league).
However after impressing in England’s ninth tier as a young, composed defensive midfielder, Bolton Wanderers would secure Thomason’s services in January 2020. Later being loaned out to Bamber Bridge of the Northern Premier Division (step three of non-league).
Since then, The Trotters have become reliant on their hidden gem, with their number four making 101 appearances across a four-year period, with a recent bid from Bristol City being rejected.
Martial Godo is a name many wouldn’t have been familiar with prior to this campaign. However, prior to his move to Fulham in 2022, the 20-year-old was playing in the Isthmian League (step three of non-league) as recent as March 2022 with Margate.
The winger has only featured once for The Cottagers since his move, but since linking up with Wigan Athletic, he has certainly raised eyebrows with his skilful play. Already contributing three goals as well as three assists in League One this season for The Latics, Godo is certainly one to watch for the future.
23-year-old Chris Forino-Joseph is another individual with an exceptionally unique pathway into the professional scene. Starting out with Wingate & Finchley in the Isthmian League Premier Division, the St Lucia international continued to play football alongside his studies.
Furthermore whilst at Loughborough University, he played for their renowned football team who compete in the United Counties League Premier Division (step four of non-league). After a successful trial with Wycombe Wanderers, Forino-Joseph abandoned his studies to persuade a career in professional football.
Since signing for The Chairboys, Wycombe’s number five has made 77 appearances including 19 in League One, so far this campaign.
Now 34, Charlie Austin has had the kind of career which you could turn into a movie.
Starting out in England’s tenth tier with Kintbury Rangers, Austin moved to Hungerford Town before joining Poole Town where he returned 64 goals in 57 outings in the Wessex League Premier Division (step four of non-league) alerting Swindon Town.
After spending two seasons with The Robins and bagging 37 goals, eventual moves to Burnley, QPR, Southampton and West Brom would prove fruitful, with Charlie Austin being recognised as one of the countries top strikers despite never earning an England senior call-up.
Winding down his career, and after a stint in Australia with Brisbane Roar, Austin returned to Swindon Town in 2022, 11 years after progressing further up the footballing ladder.
Born in Sudan, but growing up in London, Mo Eisa spent his early footballing years in the non-league system with the likes of Dartford, Leatherhead, Corinthian and most notably Greenwich Borough.
Playing in the Isthmian Division One South (step four of non-league) in 2016/17, Cheltenham Town decided to take a gamble on the then 22-year-old. The Robins would reap the rewards instantly with Eisa returning 23 league goals in his only season with the Gloucestershire outfit.
Bristol City would come calling in the summer of 2018, securing the Sudanese attacker’s signature for an undisclosed fee, however his time at Ashton Gate would be short lived. After registering just five Championship appearances, Eisa joined Peterborough United, quickly finding his shooting boots, returning 14 goals in League One before the season was halted by Covid-19.
After two seasons with Posh, another league one move came to fruition with the attacker joining current employers Milton Keynes Dons. The 29-year-old has made 100 appearances, returning 31 goals.
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