The Champions League and Europe League are two competitions that every non-league footballer aspires of reaching one day.
Here is a look at three former non-league players who are set to feature in the premier European competitions next season.
Joe Hart (Celtic) – Champions League
After winning the Scottish Premiership last season, Celtic have earned themselves an entry into the group stages of the Champions League next season. It means former England goalkeeper Joe Hart will get the chance to play in the competition again.
Hart is a great example of what can be achieved. He began his career at Shrewsbury Town. The ‘keeper featured in the 2003-04 Football Conference for the Shrews. After impressing the club, he moved to Manchester City in 2006 where he won two Premier League titles.
It is Hart’s former club Manchester City who are the favourites at 11/4 in the bet on Champions League odds for the European trophy next season. Celtic will not be expected to be competing in the latter stages of the tournament, however, for Hart and fans of the Scottish champions, they will be delighted to just be back amongst the giants of Europe again.
Jon McLaughlin (Rangers) – Champions League/Europa League
Rangers goalkeeper Jon McLaughlin began his career at Harrogate Town in the Conference North where he played 21 times for the Yorkshire club. He has since gone on to play at the highest level in Scotland for Hearts and Rangers.
The Gers will be looking to qualify for the Champions League group stage this season. If they don’t make it to the main draw, they have the Europa League to fall back on. The experienced 35-year-old ‘keeper, who has played twice for Scotland, will be hoping to be in between the sticks in either of those competitions.
Allan McGregor played the bulk of Rangers’ games last season, but he is now 40 years old. If McLaughlin can impress against some of the biggest teams in Europe, he could do enough to earn himself another call-up for his country.
Chris Smalling (Roma) – Europa League
England defender Chris Smalling made his senior debut at Maidstone United when they were in the Isthmian League Division One South. It was clear in the early stages of his career that he was going to go to the top of the sport. He was snapped up by Fulham in 2008.
Smalling is now playing for Roma in Italy, a club who are managed by former Chelsea, Manchester United and Tottenham boss Jose Mourinho. He was part of the Italian side which won the inaugural UEFA Europa Conference League last season. That success has given the Serie A club automatic entry in the Europa League.
Smalling won the Europa League with Manchester United in 2017. The former Maidstone United player will get the chance to try and lift the trophy again in the upcoming campaign. Supporters of his former club will be keeping a close eye on how he does in the European competition.
Hopefully the three above men will inspire other non-league players into keeping their dreams alive of featuring in Europe one day.
