You don't have to be a Jamie Vardy or Chris Smalling to make the leap from non-league to Football League

Making the step from non-league football to the full-time professional game is widely discussed and debated – and something that many footballers aim to do, writes Eastbourne Borough's former Football League man James Ferry.
Sergio Torres in Crawley Town action in 2014 / Picture: GettySergio Torres in Crawley Town action in 2014 / Picture: Getty
Sergio Torres in Crawley Town action in 2014 / Picture: Getty

There are a few well-known names who have made the journey from the bottom to the top. Jamie Vardy, Grant Holt and Chris Smalling come to mind.

But what about the players who have made the step up from non-league and earned themselves professional careers in League One and Two, rather than the dizzy heights of the Premier League?

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Two players who have done this are Sergio Torres and Chris Whelpdale.

Chris Whelpdale in the yellow of AFC Wimbledon taking on Northampton / Picture: GettyChris Whelpdale in the yellow of AFC Wimbledon taking on Northampton / Picture: Getty
Chris Whelpdale in the yellow of AFC Wimbledon taking on Northampton / Picture: Getty

Torres had a successful career in League One and League Two, most notably playing for Crawley Town FC, during his professional days, but also has experience playing in non-league at the start and back end of his career.

Whelpdale began his senior career at non-league club Maldon Town before moving to Billericay Town. He was then bought by Peterborough United and had spells playing for Gillingham and AFC Wimbledon during a successful professional career in the Football League.

I spoke to both about their thoughts on what it took to make the progression from non-league football to the EFL.

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Whelpdale said: “I think consistency is massive. There are a lot of good players in non-league, but as you go higher the players are more consistent, professional players may not have more ability, but usually they can do things more often.”

From my own experiences at EFL clubs, this rang absolutely true. As a young professional, one of my first coaches at Brentford FC told me: “If you are a 7/10 every week, you will have a professional Football League career.’

Often, we see an outrageous skill or top-corner strike from a player in non-league and many people think they should be playing professionally.

But, in fact, what gives players a good full-time professional career is the ability to play consistently at a good level, rather than sporadically.

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Torres told me he believed one of the major differences between non-league and the EFL was physicality.

He said: “When I was in the National League with Crawley, we only lost 1-0 to Manchester United. I think fitness, power and physicality was the biggest difference, it gives you the little percentage you need to win games.

“If you want to play higher, you must be working on your physical attributes all the time.”

It is common knowledge that the older you are the less chance you have of securing a move to the higher professional leagues.

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So, I asked both Whelpdale and Torres what advice and tips they had for any young players looking to make the grade and progress.

Torres said: “Work as hard as you can in games and training, listen to coaches and experienced teammates because you won’t get far with a bad attitude.”

I was also interested to hear Whelpdale’s thoughts on whether men’s non-league football is more beneficial for a young player compared to playing U23s football at a professional club.

He said: “I came through non-league. I was playing first team non-league football at 16, you develop so much more playing in men’s football at that age. You end up understanding the nasty side of the game a lot quicker.

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“In U23s players tend to be wrapped in cotton wool. My advice would be, if you are at a pro club you should go out on loan as quick as you can.

“You will be exposed to team talks about winning and this sort of experience will really help you have a good professional career.”