More on KentOnline
More on KentOnline
The dream of making it from the bottom to the top of the game is no easy feat.
In recent years a handful of players from Kent have taken the leap from non-league to the professional game but how have they got on? We take a look.
There have been no shortages of success stories of players emerging from non-league to the top of game, including Ian Wright, who before getting spotted by Crystal Palace had been playing for Greenwich Borough.
More recently, Jamie Vardy appeared for Stocksbridge Park Steels and FC Halifax before a move to ambitious Fleetwood Town got the wheels of his career turning rapidly.
So what of the hopefuls in Kent. Many have trials but few win that elusive deal to play professionally. Here's how some of those big moves turned out.
JOHAN TER HORST
Folkestone Invicta to Hull City
March 2014
What’s the story? Six years ago Johan Ter Horst made the giant leap from Folkestone Invicta, then in the Isthmian League Division 1 South, to Hull City in the Premier League, signing a three year deal at the KC Stadium. Tigers boss Steve Bruce - who moved south to Gillingham as a teenager to get his own career started - said his new signing was “just a kid” and “one for the future.” Ter Horst, then 18, had scored 26 goals in his first full season with Invicta and had attracted plenty of interest. Invicta boss Neil Cugley said at the time: “I’m so pleased for him. It’s a great opportunity, at a good Premier League club. Other clubs messed us about but Hull have been brilliant.”
How did it go? He mixed with some of the best, playing alongside the likes of Harry Maguire, but unfortunately never broke into the first team at Hull and after being released he spent a few months at Maidstone United before returning to play under Cugley at Folkestone. He said: “It’s just very tough trying to be a young footballer coming through. Quite a few who were in the same team as me have also dropped into non-league and got a job. There’s nothing wrong with that but sometimes you need a cocktail of luck, getting that chance and being in the right place at the right time. All these things need to align and unfortunately it didn’t quite happen for me. I have no regrets.”
Where is he now? He’s still at Folkestone and still banging in the goals. He scored in their last match of the now expunged 2019/20 season, netting the opener in a 2-2 draw with Brighlingsea Regent in the Velocity Trophy quarter-finals. In February he bagged a hat-trick in a win over Tonbridge Angels.
ADEOYE YUSUFF
Chatham Town to Dagenham & Redbridge
September 2014
What’s the story? Yusuff, then 20, has been flirting around the non-league scene for a while before a prolific spell with Chatham Town earned him a move to League 2 Dagenham & Redbridge on a one year deal. In total he had scored 24 goals in 38 games for Chats, then in the Isthmian League North. Seven of those goals came at the start of the 2014/15 season, which led to Daggers making their move but he still had to work out his notice at Wagamama before fully committing to his new club. His debut came the Saturday after working a Friday night shift. He said: "Being full-time is what everyone who plays football dreams of. To become a professional footballer just means the world to me. Hopefully this can just be the beginning of my journey."
How did it go? He scored twice in his first season with his new club, both in the same game, coming off the bench to fire Daggers to a 2-1 win over Accrington Stanley in October 2014. He went onto make 19 appearances and had done enough in his first season to earn himself another year with the club. The following season, 2015/16, he made just one more appearance for the Daggers and had loan spells at St Albans, Leatherhead, East Thurrock and Welling United before being released that summer.
Where is he now? He initially rejoined Chatham Town for the start of the 2016/17 season and then had an impressive spell at Folkestone Invicta, scoring 51 goals in 102 appearances, before moving to National League South side Dulwich Hamlet for the start of the 2019/20 season. He joined Dover Athletic in December and said: “I’m at a good age, my best years are ahead of me, but this is the step that I needed to take.”
AARON SIMPSON
Maidstone United to Wolverhampton Wanderers
January 2015
What’s the story? The defender made the switch to then-Championship side Wolves on an 18-month deal, coming to their attention after helping the Stones to the second round of the FA Cup that season and climb to the top of the Ryman League Premier Division. The Maplesden Noakes sixth-former had learned his trade with Whitstable Town and then the Soccer Elite academy before breaking into United's first team in the 2014/15 season. Head of football development at Molineux, Kevin Thelwell, earmarked the right-back for a spell in the under-21s to start with, saying shortly after his arrival: “He's impressed everyone in the short time that he's been here.”
How did it go? He never managed to play a game for Wolves and went out on loan to Portsmouth, but again was left frustrated, there as cover and not seeing any action. He had subsequent spells at AFC Telford United, Kilmarnock and Spanish side FC Jamilla. His time at Wolves came to an end when he joined League of Ireland side Waterford on a permanent deal in March last year.
Where is he now? Aaron, now 23, returned to England for the start of the 2019/20 season, signing for Andy Hessenthaler’s Dover Athletic.
ELLIS IANDOLO
Maidstone United to Swindon Town
August 2015
What’s the story? Ellis started out as a junior with Gillingham before linking up with the Soccer Elite Academy and signing on at Maidstone United for the 2014/15 season, the versatile player joining at the same time as Aaron Simpson. A successful trial with Swindon earned Ellis a professional deal with the club.
How did it go? Making his Football League debut in October 2015, he went onto make 13 appearances in his first season at the club before featuring another 15 times in the 2016/17 campaign, scoring his maiden professional goal against Luton Town in the Football League Trophy, hitting the net with a stunning long-range effort. A new deal at Town followed and he scored his first Football League goal at Barnet in January 2018, in a 2-1 win. At the start of this season he said: “It would be nice to have a lot of games under my belt come the end of the season. It’s always been in and out, in and out, but my main focus is to try and nail down as many starts as I can.”
Where is he now? He’s still at League 2 Swindon Town, now in his fifth season at the club. The Wiltshire side are currently second in the table and Ellis has 62 league appearances under his belt, with 36 starts.
FREDDIE LADAPO
Margate to Crystal Palace
March 2016
What’s the story? The striker started out at Colchester United, where he was a prolific finisher in their youth side, and made a handful of first team appearances. He had numerous loan spells before a permanent move to Kidderminster ahead of his signing for Margate in January 2015. It proved to be the turning point of his career, enjoying a one-in-two goal ratio at the club. In March 2016 Ladapo had a trial with Premier League Palace and scored a hat-trick in an under-21 match. On March 30, 2016 the Eagles landed the striker on a two and a half year deal for an undisclosed fee. He left Margate with 10 league goals to his name during their 2015/16 season in National League South.
How did it go? He started out in the Palace’s development team and joined Oldham Athletic on loan for the first half of the 2016/17 season. In October 2016 he scored his first Football League goal, at Priestfield, in a 2-1 win over Gillingham. He spent the second half of that season on loan Shrewsbury, taking his goal tally for the season to seven. His only appearance for Palace came in September 2017, playing the last 15 minutes of their 4-0 defeat to Manchester United at Old Trafford. In January 2018 he left the club, joining Southend United for an undisclosed fee.
Where is he now? A disappointing time at Southend was followed by a summer move to Plymouth, where his career took off again, scoring 19 goals in their 2018/19 campaign, including three in the two games against the Gills. Rotherham United paid £500,000 for his services in the summer and he’s lived up to the price tag, with 17 goals so far this campaign as the Miller chase promotion to the Championship.
SHILOW TRACEY
Ebbsfleet United to Tottenham Hotspur
January 2016
What’s the story? Tracey had a trial with Spurs when he was 17, appearing for their under-18 side in the IMG Cup Florida in December 2016. He scored in wins over Jacksonville Armada and Baltimore Celtic and is was enough to earn a move away from Fleet, who were then in the National League South. Prior to his move to White Hart Lane he had only played once in Fleet’s first team, in a Kent Senior Cup match against Charlton Athletic. He had played a key role in the 2015/16 for Fleet’s youth team as they progressed to the second round proper of the FA Youth Cup.
How did it go? According to Spurs’ official website, “he has been a lynchpin of the club’s under-23 side in recent seasons.” His senior debut for the club came in a pre-season match against Girona in August 2018 but picked up an injury in the 2018/19 season. He has played in the Under-19 UEFA Youth League. His seven senior appearances for Spurs have all come in the Football League Trophy, which included a first goal for the club at AFC Wimbledon and an appearance against the Gills earlier this campaign.
Where is he now? He’s still with Spurs, contracted with them until summer 2020. In January he joined League 2 strugglers Macclesfield Town on loan until the end of the season. The 21-year-old made his first Football League appearance in February and scored his first goal, against Plymouth Argyle later that same month. He has played seven times for the Silkmen before the season was suspended.
EBOU ADAMS
Dartford to Norwich City
February 2016
What’s the story? The Canaries paid Dartford an undisclosed fee for the player, one the club described as their “best transfer in the club’s history”. Ebou who was then 20, had played 26 senior games for the club. He had progressed through the youth academy at Princes Park and burst on the scene, attracting scouts from a number of Championship and Premier League clubs. Gills were also apparently interested but he penned an 18-month deal at Carrow Road on deadline day. “It’s a dream come true for me,” he said, after his arrival at the Premier League club, not forgetting the coaches who helped get him there, thanking Jason Long, Deren Ibrahim and Tony Burman, “as well as everyone else at Dartford for their help,” adding: “They gave me the opportunity, and that gave me the chance to be spotted by Norwich.”
How did it go? He initially joined up with Norwich City’s under-21 squad and made his debut at Old Trafford in an academy game, facing the likes of Memphis Depay and Phil Jones. He made appearances for Norwich in Premier League 2, facing Chelsea, Manchester City and Spurs and in November 2016 scored his first senior goal for them, in the Football League Trophy. He got the winner against Newcastle in PL2 in March 2017. Loan moves to Braintree, Shrewsbury and Leyton Orient before bring released by Norwich City at the end of the 2017/18 season without a league appearance for the club.
Where is he now? After his release by Norwich he joined Ebbsfleet United where he spent a season before joining League 2 Forest Green Rovers at the start of the 2019/20 campaign. He’s since been a regular for them, playing 40 games so far and scoring in their last outing, a 2-0 win at Swindon on March 7.
STEFAN PAYNE
Dover Athletic to Barnsley
May 2016
What’s the story? The striker had started out as trainee with Fulham before Andy Hessenthaler took him to Gillingham on a permanent move in 2010. He scored twice for them before being released. He went onto play for several non-league clubs after a spell with League 2 Aldershot and arrived at Dover for the 2014/15 season. Payne went onto score 33 league goals for Whites over the two seasons at the club. He signed a two-year deal with Barnsley, who at the time were challenging in the League 1 play-offs.
How did it go? Barnsley won in the play-offs and so Payne found himself starting the 2016/17 season in the Championship. He made regular appearances off the bench in the opening month of the campaign but spent the season half of the campaign on loan at Shrewsbury, in League 1. He made the move to the Shrews permanent in the summer of 2017.
Where is he now? He moved from Shrewsbury to Bristol Rovers and back to Shrewsbury on loan before starting the 2019/20 campaign at Tranmere Rovers. He has scored four goals in 21 appearances for them this term, so far.
HARRY SMITH
Folkestone Invicta to Millwall
August 2016
What’s the story? The giant centre forward - standing at 6ft 6inch - jumped five divisions when he signed for Millwall in the summer of 2016, moving to a League 1 side. His goals had helped Folkestone to the Ryman League, Division 1 South 2015/16 title. He had only joined Invicta the previous December after moving from Sittingbourne, who received 15% of an undisclosed fee. Neil Cugley said at the time: “We’re delighted for Harry. He came to the club, worked hard, did well and we’re not there to stop a lad going into professional football.”
How did it go? Smith signed a two year deal with the Lions and made an immediate impact when given a chance in the first team, netting twice on his debut, a 3-1 win at Luton in the Football League Trophy in November 2016. Four days later he bagged his first Football League goal in a 4-0 rout of Bristol Rovers at The Den. He also scored a hat-trick in a 5-2 win over Braintree in the FA Cup, ending the season with six goals from 12 appearances. He went on loan to League 2 Swindon for the first half of the 2017/18 season, scoring three in 19, including one at Dartford in the FA Cup. In March 2018 Smith announced he was taking time out of the game after suffering depression and gambling issues, which he said he had been battling for a number of years. He left Millwall that summer.
Where is he now? He spent the 2018/19 season at Macclesfield and moved to fellow League 2 side Northampton Town for the 2019/20 season, scoring seven goals in 26 appearances. He scored in their last game before football was halted.
ALFIE MAY
Hythe Town to Doncaster Rovers
January 2017
What’s the story? The Gravesend-born striker had toured the non-league scene for a couple of years, including spells at Kent sides Corinthian, Chatham, Bromley, VCD, Erith & Belvedere and eventually Hythe Town, where he arrived in October 2015. He was described as “one of the most exciting young talents in Kentish football” when he signed on at Reachfields. Alfie certainly made an impact, with a man-of-the-match performance and a goal of the season winner on his arrival. He had scored 41 the previous season at Erith & Belvedere and 23 the year before that with the Chats. "It is a big step, but I feel confident I can play in League 2,” said may, after signing a two and a half year deal at the Keepmoat Stadium. The 23-year-old had earlier impressed on trial at the club, having also been to train at Stevenage and Gillingham. He left Hythe after scoring 49 goals in 67 appearances. Boss Clive Cook had said: “I would like to thank Doncaster for giving Alfie the opportunity to realise his ambition. He is a smashing lad."
How did it go? He made 16 appearances in his first season at the club, scoring his first Football League goal in February 2017. He finished the campaign with a couple more. An impressive start to the 2017/18 campaign saw him score in four successive games. He went onto claim six in 31 appearances. He played 47 games during the 2018/19 season, scoring another 11, including four in one game as Rovers routed Chorley in the FA Cup. He signed a new 18 month deal in January 2019 but his time at the club came to an end a year later after agreeing a move to League 2 Cheltenham.
Where is he now? He signed a two and a half year deal with Cheltenham in January 2020, ending a spell at Doncaster that saw him score 23 goals in 115 games. It’s been a decent move for the striker, scoring on his first two appearance for the Robins and reaching the season break with six goals in 12 games for his new team.
RICKY MILLER
Dover Athletic to Peterborough
May 2017
What’s the story? Miller had spent many seasons playing non-league football before moving to Luton Town at the age of 25. He had been named Conference North player of the year at Boston United before his move into the league under John Still. He played the first half of the 2014/15 season on loan at Dover and signed for them permanently in the summer of 2015 after he was released by Luton, playing just 15 games for them. Luton had cancelled his contract because of an assault charge, which he was subsequently found not guilty of. Miller had been ready to quit football but hit 21 goals in his first season and then 42 in 43 appearances the next. Millwall, Gillingham and Peterborough were linked, but he moved to Posh in the summer of 2017.
How did it go? He joined Peterborough on a three year deal with Posh director of football Barry Fry claiming they had previously tried to sign him in the January but that nobody returned their calls. Fry had finally got their man and said: “I admire that greatly because Dover had great ambition to get promoted.” Shortly after his arrival their chairman Darragh MacAnthony revealed on twitter that they had turned down an offer of £250,000 from another League 1 side. Miller was hailed a big part of their plans. He had to wait to play, however, banned for six games over a biting incident while playing for Dover. He went onto make just 10 appearances for Posh, without scoring, and finished the 2017/18 season on loan at Mansfield Town, then managed by Steve Evans, who said at the time: “The lad has had problems but you are very fortunate in life if you never have any.” He netted once for Mansfield in an injury-hit spell.
Where is he now? His time at Posh ended when he moved to Port Vale for the 2018/19 season but he left after a year, his contract terminated by mutual consent. He wrote on twitter: “Sorry I didn't fulfil my potential but I've found the last two years very difficult.” He’s without a club.
SAM MCCALLUM
Herne Bay to Coventry City
August 2018
What’s the story? The Canterbury-born defender left Gillingham at the age of 15 and feared his hopes of a career in football were over. He went onto study A levels at Simon Langton Boys school, worked part time for an accounting firm and played for Herne Bay. It was his performances at the Jamie Vardy V9 Academy that caught the eye of the scouts at Coventry City. There were rumours of interest from Liverpool but he joined the Sky Blues on a three year deal in August 2018, initially linking up with their under-23 development squad. He moved there after being He had spent the previous season at Herne Bay and had been part of the England schoolboy under-18 side. Under-23 coach Jason Farndon described him as “an athletic left-back” and an “exciting prospect.” He joined Coventry at the age of 17.
How did it go? He has certainly made his mark at Coventry. He made a handful of appearances during the back end of the 2018/19 season but has been a regular for the team who sit top of League 1 prior to the coronavirus lockdown. He had made just 21 appearances for the Sky Blues before Norwich City made their move.
Where is he now? He signed for Premier League Norwich in a £3.5m deal in January this year, on deadline day, penning a four year contract, returning to Coventry on loan for the remainder of the season. “I didn’t think I’d be worth anywhere near as much as that,” he said, after he had made the move to the top-flight. He added: “I’m striving to be a role model for players at Herne Bay Youth to show it is possible, even if you come from a small town.”
