The sixth tier of English Football has proven to be a league full of hidden diamonds in recent seasons, proving the value of EFL clubs to recruit from Non-League. In this blog piece I will be focusing on the National League South (Step 2 of Non-League), picking out ten players that I believe are too good for that level and deserve a step up into a higher league.
Whilst there is obviously so much talent in this league, I have limited myself to just ONE PLAYER PER TEAM to add some variety to the piece. I will definitely be coming back to this topic to complete a part Two and Three as well in the future, so don’t be disappointed if one of your players isn’t included.
Enjoy the read! Any feedback or support is massively appreciated and I’d love to hear the thoughts of fans who give this a read. Who would you pick that I haven’t? Any shares on the blog are greatly appreciated as well.
So let’s get into it…
Ben Brookes – Maidstone United
We begin this blog with someone who has become one of, if not THE BEST fullbacks in the second step of Non-League in the last two seasons, firstly at Chelmsford City, before joining Maidstone United, becoming Full-Time.
Brookes has taken his game to a new level since joining The Stones in the Summer of 2024. The former Hashtag United defender is on a wonderful rise through the lower leagues of English Football. The 23 year-old will continue that rise into the Football League within the next two-three seasons.
Despite his young age, Brookes has become a consistent performer for whoever he has played for, proving his robustness and ability to stay fit for prolonged periods of time. Within just two seasons, Brookes has racked up over seventy appearances in The National League South, 26 of them coming for his current side.
The fullback has proven is quality in the final third for George Elokobi’s side with an impressive two goals and eight assists in just 25 league games this season. His strength on both feet gives him an advantage in the attacking areas and makes him so difficult to defend because of being able to go both ways and deliver with quality on either foot.
Ben Brookes is a player on a rapid upward scale at the moment, a player that I thought make the step up to the National League in the previous Summer but his decision to stay in Step Two has proven to be an excellent decision. I’d say that Brookes has the technical, physical and tactical ability to make the big jump into the Football League in the Summer or 2025.
The 23 year-old certainly won’t be short of offers, even if Maidstone are promoted into The National League.
Leon Chambers-Parillon – Slough
For the next player of this blog, I’ve gone with one of the more unrecognised names of my list, but still a player who’s had a fantastic season in the National League South in a side who started superbly but have really struggled to find any consistent run of form as of late
Unfortunately, Slough have had a fairly disappointing last few months in The National League South, failing to win in their last seven league games. In contrast, the start of The Rebels 2024/25 campaign was a successful one. Scott Davies’ side won five of their first six games!
Despite the inconsistent, strange form from this Slough Town side this season, one excellent consistency throughout has been the bright emergence of the 23 year-old box-to-box midfielder, Leon Chambers-Parillon, who has scored five goals and assisted once in just 25 appearances this season in Step 3, Scott Davies took the risk on Chambers-Parillon at the beginning of the 2023/24 season.
Over the last six-twelve months, Chambers-Parillon has become one of the most exciting, young midfielders in the league. He’s such a dynamic athlete, allowing him to cover so much ground. He’s been nurtured fantastically by player/ manager, Scott Davies, who is also a midfielder.
I really like Leon Chambers-Parillon as a brilliant ball-carrying midfielder who loves to take the ball in deep areas before carrying it 20-30 yards forwards, taking opposition players out of the game. He’s a true box-to-box midfielder; Bags of energy to get up and down. Arrives late in the penalty area as a box-crasher and he helps out defensively with his excellent defensive discipline as well.
I think a side in the National League, like Woking, could massively do with his levels of athleticism and energy in their midfield. He’s technically good enough to play in Step One, which mixes perfectly with his physical attributes, to make a really complete, powerful midfielder.
George Alexander – Eastbourne
The first centre forward of the blog comes from one of the most exciting projects in the National League South. Eastbourne have such a dynamic, young side plying their trade towards the top of the table, playing entertaining, attacking football.
In recent seasons, Alexander has proved his quality at Step 2 for multiple different clubs. The 24 year-old striker scored goals at Welling, Slough, Chelmsford and current Eastbourne, where he has scored eleven goals in just 25 games at the beginning of the 2024/25 season.
He tried his luck at Bromley in the National League but really struggled to get a consistent run of games for The Ravens, playing just 38 times for the club across a three-year spell, scoring six times. The former Millwall academy striker is a good link-up forward as well. He’s got a good control of the ball
Despite this, I feel that Alexander would be a success in The National League Premier, if he was at the right club, because of excellent physical profile and his superb composure in front of goal. The former Millwall academy striker is also an excellent link-up forward. He’s good with ball at his feet, holds it up excellently and he can pick out a pass.
As I mentioned, I’d like to see George Alexander make the step up to The National League to see how he does. A club who create plenty of chances would suit him superbly.
Kyle Ajayi – Hemel Hempstead
From attack to defence: Defensive powerhouse, Kyle Ajayi, of Hemel Hempstead, is the next player on the list. The central defender has become one of the most underrated players in The National League South in recent seasons, becoming a consistent excellence in the Hemel back line.
Similar to Slough, Hemel have had a fairly strange first half of their National League South campaign. The Tudors were unbeaten for their opening nine games of the 2024/25 season, looking like they were going to become an impressive force under Bobby Wilkinson. Form then dipped dramatically as the club failed to win any of their next 13 league games, including a 7-1 loss to Dorking and a 5-0 loss to Salisbury. Things have improved again recently as Lee Allison has come in as the new manager.
Despite The Tudors’ defensive frailties this season, Kyle Ajayi has been a consistent rock in the backline, showing his leadership at such a young age. The 24 year-old should be on the watch of many clubs in The National League because of his excellent physical profile and brilliant defensive mentality. He’s so dominant in both aerial and ground duels, winning most of the ones challenges he contests. His pace allows him to stay in a high line when defending, meaning he can get back in efficiently when needed.
Very little is able to get past the former AFC Dunstable defender because he reads the game so well and times his tackles and challenges to perfection. His ball-playing ability is nothing special but it’s certainly not a weakness to Ajayi’s overall game.
I think he’d be the perfect central defender for a National League side because of how well-rounded his game is. He’s a threat from set pieces and defends his own penalty area like it means the world.
Danny Cashman – Worthing
As we reach the halfway stage, I have come to one of my favourite players in The National League South, Danny Cashman, who plays for Worthing; The most exciting, entertaining team in the division. What a combination to talk about!
Worthing have had an unbelievable first half of The National League South campaign, under Chris Agutter, who has his side sat in 3rd place, joint top. The Rebels are sat on 52 points, joint with Boreham Wood, Torquay United and Eastbourne. A key reason for their success is because of how exciting they are in the final third, displaying their creativity and free-flowing football in abundance.
As previously mentioned, Agutter’s side is full of creative gems, one of them goes by the name of Danny Cashman. The 24 year-old, former Brighton and Coventry midfielder has 10 goals and 6 assists in just 27 appearances for The Rebels this season.
He has mainly played as a wide midfielder/winger for Worthing this season but I’d say that Cashman’s strongest position is probably as an attacking midfielder, where he can see as much of the ball as possible
He is a wonderful, creative player who loves to have the ball at his feet. His passing is superb; Can pick out a long pass. Plays through the lines excellently and has great vision to spot runners in behind. When he’s on the ball, he protects it with ease, using his body as well as his lovely control of the ball. Has added lots of flair to his game as well; Glides past defenders and gets out of tight spaces brilliantly. Tries things, showing his confidence. The level of Danny Cashman’s goal contributions display that he has a positive end product, to match with all his other qualities.
I would like to see a Football League side take the gamble on Cashman, I think his superb attributes would make him a proper player in League Two. He has minimal experience at the level with Rochdale and Walsall as well.
Richard Chin – Farnborough
My next choice of player for this list of Ten superb National League South players, I’ve gone with one of the most well-known players on the list, former Charlton Athletic academy graduate, Richard Chin, who plays for Spencer Day’s Farnborough.
Farnborough are ANOTHER National League South side who started the season excellently, before dropping off in recent weeks/months. Richard Chin is a player who has been in and out of the Boro team over the past few games but over the course of the season, has proven how good he can be on a number of occasions.
The versatile 22 year-old can play as a wingback, anywhere in the midfield or even as a right winger, where he has spent a large part of this season for Farnborough. The Malaysian playmaker has six goals and 4 assists in 23 games for Boro this season, an impressive return.
Richard Chin has the technical ability to play in The National League AT A MINIMUM, if not League Two. He’s a joy to watch at his best; glides past defenders on the ball, using his quick feet and unpredictability to take on his man. He has a lovely passing ability, excellent vision and weight of pass to play through the lines. Brings a goal threat from anywhere on the pitch as well, excellent at arriving late into the penalty area.
As I mentioned, I’d love to see a League Two or National League club take the gamble on Chin, he needs to improve his consistency but at his best he’s one of the best players in The National League South.
Sam Dreyer – Torquay United
For the second and final Central Defender on my list, I’ve gone for a player who is very different to Kyle Ajayi. Sam “Virgil Van” Dreyer has had an excellent season for The National League South big guns, Torquay United, who sit in second place, joint top of the league.
Under Paul Wotton, Torquay United have built the basis of their successful season off of having an extremely strong defence, whether that be playing a back 3, or a back 4. One consistency in that backline has been the former Stevenage and Peterborough academy prospect, Sam Dreyer.
The highly-rated, 21 year-old defender has had an excellent season for The Gulls so far, displaying, not just his fabulous box-defending ability but his willingness to get on the ball and play progressive passes into Cody Cooke or The Yellows creative players such as Jordan Young and Matt Jay
Sam Dreyer is a brilliant representation of a modern-day, ball-playing defender. He defends his box excellently. Reads the game very well. Good in the air and times his tacklers to perfection. He’s a player who carries the ball into midfield really well, playing progressive, brave passes at the correct periods in a game.
At 21 years-old, he still has a lot of developing to do, both physically, technically and tactically but he certainly has a bright future in football. Certainly in the Football League. For now, I think he’s best off to stay in Devon, with Torquay, until the end of the season. He then may find a move to the EFL in the Summer, where his career belongs.
Josh Hedges – Salisbury
Onto player number seven of the blog, a player who has been injured for a month or two now, having not played a National League South game since Salisbury’s 1-0 loss to Bath City, on the 26th of November. Versatile, creative forward, Josh Hedges is a player who has made the step up to Step Two look incredibly easy.
Josh Hedges has played just seventeen times for The Whites this season, a potential reason to why the club went through a poor vein of form for around a month. Things have picked up recently for Brian Dutton’s side, who are unbeaten in six league games.
As mentioned, The 21 year-old has played just seventeen times for Salisbury in the 2024/25 season. However. The former Didcot man has an unbelievable seven goals and eight assists in that short period, displaying his incredible ability to score and create chances in the final third.
I expect Hedges to go on and have a wonderful career in the English Football Leagues, especially if he can stay fit. His versatility and profile of creative attacker is one of high request in football. Excellent on the ball. Never afraid to take his man on. Good ability to pass through the defensive line. Goals and assists to bring it all together.
I would be surprised to see Josh Hedges in Step Two of non-league past the Summer of 2025. His technical ability and work-rate would make him a top signing for National League sides.
Sam Pearson – Weston Super-Mare
Into our penultimate player of the blog now, former Bristol City, AFC Wimbledon and Yeovil town forward, Sam Pearson has proven that his quality is above the National League South standards in his short spell at Weston Super-Mare so far.
Weston have had a really good season in the clubs second season after being promoted back to The National League South. Scott Bartlett’s side have seriously struggled with injuries this season but currently sit 5 points outside of the playoffs, in eight place. Bartlett is a coach who has a rich history of developing young talent, hence why the move was attractive for Sam Pearson.
Pearson spent the beginning of the 2024/25 season in the National League with Yeovil Town, where he scored once, providing four assists, in just 690 minutes of football. He was then moved on, signing for Weston on a free transfer. The former Welsh youth international has five goals and two assists in just 16 National League South games.
He’s a versatile attacker who can play as a winger or attacking midfielder, providing real quality on the ball. He’s such a willing runner and is someone who works hard. Pearson’s end product has improved massively in the past 6-9 months, which gives me the belief that he could be an excellent signing a National League club.
He’s such an enjoyable player to watch when at his best because of energy and direct play style. Always has the desire to cut through a defence with his pace, agile and ball control.
Jaze Kabia – Truro City
Nine players down, just one left. The final player of this blog piece is someone who is spending his in English Football, after a frustrating start to his career with disappointing spells in Scotland and Ireland. Jaze Kabia, of Truro City, has had a wonderful season under John Askey, as The Tinners sit happily in the final playoff spot.
As mentioned, The 24 year-old has spent disappointing spells at clubs such as Livingston, Cork City and Greenock Morton, before joining Truro at the start of the 2024/25 season. Despite being in his mid 20s, the Irish forward has played for eight different clubs across Ireland and Scotland.
His move down to Cornwall, England was an extremely rogue move by Truro in the Summer of 2024, a piece of recruitment that was superbly done, when you look back on it now. John Askey has his side playing exciting, attacking football with a group of athletic, technical players. This has been the recipe to success for The Tinners throughout this season.
Speaking of Jaze Kabia himself, he’s an energetic athlete who uses is physical profile and attributes to the maximum, usually playing off of the last defender, spinning in behind. At top speed, Kabia is an excellent runner; Long, powerful strides allow him to get away from his man.
His technical attributes are exciting as well; If in tight spaces, he can find himself in a tight area, with defenders around him but has the ability to get out of it with a bit of a flair or skill. He’s a brilliant link-up forward who can drop deep to pick the ball up and pass forward. His finishing in front of goal is superb, shown by ten goals in 27 league games. The forward also has five assists in that period.
I’d love to see Kabia stick the season out with Truro and see where they end up within The National League South. I believe he will be playing in The National League or Football League within 18 months because of how well-rounded a forward he is.
Thankyou!
Thankyou for reading! I would appreciate any feedback or support on the blog, either commenting on this piece or through social media. I hope you enjoyed the read.
Who is your favourite player in The National a league South and who would you like to see on the next list? I would you sign any of these players for your club and why?
If you have requests for pieces you’d like to see me do, drop them in the comments.
Callum Hallett 
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