Non League Star Heading To The Football League?

It is a sign that football has changed so much over the years that so few players are emerging from non-league football and making it ‘big’ anymore.

Gone are the days when players such as Stuart Pearce, Ian Wright, and Les Ferdinand among others were plucked from non-League Football with outstanding results.

In the modern game, there are a few examples, with Michael Kightly, Jermaine Beckford and Championship top scorer Charlie Austin all playing at a Conference level or lower.

One Striker aiming to make his mark on the football league though, is Loughborough University striker Daniel Nti.

The 20 year old, whose side play in the Midland Alliance league, has fired 17 goals in 10 games so far this season. This included an impressive hat-trick in the FA Cup qualifying rounds & solitary strike against a Manchester United XI, with his exploits reportedly attracting the interest of Notts County, Brentford, Burton Albion & Mansfield Town.

It is Npower League Two outfit Dagenham & Redbridge look to have stolen a march on their rivals in the race hotshot Nti though, with Daggers boss John Still renowned for unearthing non-league talent. Still – who has managed the East London club for 8 years now – is said to have been impressed with Nti, who has scored three goals in two games during a short trial spell, including a double in a 2-1 behind closed doors victory over npower Championship side Peterborough United.

Matthew Morlidge