Playing in the Premier League is the pinnacle for most footballers in the UK and many others around the world. But, the competition for places in England’s top-flight is intense and only a few get a chance to play in the Premier League.
While the league has had some of the best footballers in the world, arriving from world-class clubs or being groomed by top teams in the league. But, there have been some who have made it to the league the hard way, playing their way from non-league football to the top.
Here, we take a look at 5 players who went from playing non-league football to the Premier League:
Jamie Vardy
The most recent and obvious choice is Jamie Vardy, who was a key player in Leicester City’s inspirational Premier League title win. Vardy played for non-league clubs Stocksbridge Park Steels, Halifax Town, and Fleetwood Town before the Foxes – who were in the Championship – signed him 2012.
Vardy helped the club get promoted to the Premier League and then win the league in the 2015-16 season. He also earned 26 England caps, scoring 7 times.
Chris Smalling
Manchester United defender Chris Smalling, who is currently on loan at AS Roma, made the big jump from non-league club Maidstone United to Fulham – who were then in the Premier League – in 2008. After a quiet first season, he made several appearances in his second season with the Cottagers, impressing for them, which led to his move to Manchester United in 2010.
Smalling has made over 300 appearances for the Red Devils, won two Premier League titles, and 31 England caps.
Ian Wright
Arsenal legend Ian Wright had a fascinating rise to top-flight football, having played for Sunday League side Ten-em-Bee and Greenwich Borough, before being signed by Crystal Palace at the age of 21. He helped the Eagles to England’s First Division (which was England’s top-flight league before the Premier League), and after scoring bucketloads of goals, earned a move to Arsenal.
He continued his impressive goalscoring at the Gunners, ending his Arsenal career with 185 goals in 288 games, winning the Premier League.
Troy Deeney
Troy Deeney is a Watford icon, having played over 10 seasons for the club and made over 350 appearances. The Englishman played for non-league side Chelmsley Town before earning a move to Walsall in 2006 who were then in League Two.
He joined Watford in 2010, and after a few years in the Championship, shot them to the Premier League, scoring 21 goals in the 2014-15 Championship season, helping the club to a second-place finish. He has helped the club stay in the Premier League since their promotion, scoring 43 Premier League goals in 154 appearances.
Joe Hart
Joe Hart was an integral part of the Manchester City team for a long time before the arrival of Pep Guardiola to the Etihad. Hart joined City in 2006 from League Two side Shrewsbury Town, who were in non-league football when Hart made his debut for them. Hart made 348 appearances for City, winning two Premier League titles and one FA Cup.