The English national team has a long history of featuring former non-league stars in its squads. Legends of the game like Ian Wright and John Barnes once worked their way up from the lower divisions and earned international caps.
More recently, Jamie Vardy and Callum Wilson have provided examples of how non-league football can nurture top-level internationals.
Ahead of the upcoming European Championships in Germany, one former non-league player is a nailed-on starter for Gareth Southgate’s side and another could be set for his major tournament debut.
Here we will look at the leading active crop of ex-non-league English footballers and the roles that they could play at the Euros.
Jordan Pickford
Jordan Pickford has been Southgate’s trusted man between the sticks throughout his tenure. This summer that is not set to change as he will be the number one goalkeeper in a potentially successful tournament for England.
The Three Lions are the favourites to win EURO 2024, they are offered as short as 3/1 in a football bet on the headline event. The early EURO 2024 betting suggests that France will provide the strongest opposition, offered at odds of 4/1.
Pickford could well end the summer as a European champion which would represent a great contrast to fighting relegation with Everton. However, what some fans may not know is that his journey to becoming an international footballer included stops in the non-league depths of the English football pyramid.
A fourth successive win and a fourth successive shutout. ⛔️
— Everton (@Everton) December 16, 2023
Jordan Pickford now tops the charts for PL clean sheets this season (6). 🧤 pic.twitter.com/rqsHZ9Dxg3
During his time at Sunderland, he went on valuable loan spells to Darlington and Alfreton Town where he managed 29 appearances combined. The former offered him his first taste of senior football and that stint has turned out to be the initial catalyst for the greatest England goalkeeper of the current generation.
Jarrod Bowen
Jarrod Bowen has genuinely established himself as one of the Premier League’s leading players and a regular for the national team. He netted 14 goals and three assists in the league ahead of the March international break and it would take something extraordinary for him to miss out on the England EURO’s squad.
🏴 Called up to the England squad
— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) March 14, 2024
⚽️ Scores his 18th goal of the season
It's a Thursday to remember for Jarrod Bowen 💪🌟 pic.twitter.com/6Nfhk4FVis
Bowen will most likely provide a pacey wide option from the bench for Southgate’s team in Germany. While West Ham United’s top scorer will be desperate to start, the fact he is on course to go to a major tournament at all is remarkable.
A decade ago Bowen was lining up for non-league Hereford United where he scored a single goal in eight appearances. After being spotted by Hull City in his debut season and making it to the Premier League just four years ago, it would now be a huge shock if he does not feature at EURO 2024.
This summer the Three Lions will ultimately have a player in the starting eleven and on the bench who began their senior careers in the non-league.
Pickford and Bowen have shown the determination and grit to miraculously work their way to becoming vital players for their country on the big stage. Those characteristics could help England to get over the line in Germany and secure the nation’s first major success since 1966.
Non-league football is a proven foundation for immensely driven and physically strong footballers, and that is set to benefit the quality of the national team yet again in 2024.
