There is no doubt that the non-league system in England is at the strongest it has ever been with National League teams often going on to thrive in the EFL following their promotion. It has also become a hot bed for talent with scouts often scouring games for potential transfer targets.
The National League is at the forefront of that and the strength of this league has now led to it being called ‘League Three‘ by some and the push for three up and three down is getting stronger every season.
Within this article, we will look at 10 players who we believe can take that step up to the EFL from the National League and are ready to take League Two and above by storm.
Kyrell Lisbie -Braintree Town
24-25 Stats
Appearances: 40 Goals: 13 Assists: 2
Kyrell is the son of former Premier League footballer Kevin Lisbie and came to the attention of the footballing world during Cray Wanderers FA Cup run in the 23-24 season when he scored away at Charlton Athletic and it was obvious that teams in the National league system would be looking at Kyrell.
It was Braintree Town who won the race and Kyrell didn’t disappoint, leading the scoring charts for the club with 13 league goals and numerous Player of the Match performances.
Interest in Lisbie is supposedly quite high with Peterborough United reportedly looking like the front runners to sign the player and give him his chance in the Football League.
Regan Linney – Altrincham
24-25 stats
Appearances:42 Goals:23 Assists:7
Regan Linney has certainly known where the goal is this season with only York City’s Olly Pearce scoring more than him this season in the National League. Linney’s goals were not quite enough for Altrincham to reach the Play-Offs.
With a goal every 135 minutes this season and seven assists to his name, He is a player that is on the radar of other National League clubs and potentially some League Two clubs with both Carlisle United and Grimsby Town being mentioned as possible location for Linney.
Regan Booty – Gateshead
24-25 Stats
Appearances: 43 Goals: 2 Assists: 12
Booty was the heartbeat of the Gateshead midfield as they spent the majority of the season within the Play-Off positions and has been noted by many opposition fans and managers as the most crucial cog in the machine.
With Gateshead falling away at the end of the season and missing out on the Play-Offs on the final day alongside their apparent financial woes may lead to players such as Booty moving on this summer. There is no doubt there will be suitors in the National league but it wouldn’t be a surprise if Booty is on the list of some EFL clubs with Accrington Stanley being a name potentially in for the midfielder.
Jack Sims – Sutton United
24-25 Stats
Appearances:31 Clean Sheets: 10
Jack Sims decided to leave Braintree at the end of the season despite being a massive part of their promotion winning side and join Sutton United with aspirations of being their number one and challenging at the top end of the league table.
Things did not start the way Sims wanted as he struggled with early injuries and couldn’t cement himself as the number one. However, when he got into the team, he became a very important player and ended up winning the Player of the Season award alongside Lewis Simper.
Sims is a no doubt an an ambitious goalkeeper and after the second half of the season, he has shown he is one of the best goalkeepers at this level and will be chomping at the bit to make his way further up the leagues and in the EFL.
Jack Stevens – Solihull Moors
24-25 Stats
Appearances: 27 Goals: 13 Assists: 4
A firm fans favourite at Solihull, Stevens had a fantastic season despite injuries impacting how often he was on the pitch. With only 27 league appearances this term, he’ll be looking for an injury free season next time out.
Whenever Stevens stepped onto the pitch, he delivered for Solihull with a goal every 166 minutes and without his goals who knows where they could of ended up.
Solihull and Stevens agreed a new contract in March 2025 that would keep him at the club until the Summer of 2026, meaning a move this summer becomes unlikely. However, there is no doubts that a fit Stevens could really stake a claim to be in the EFL sooner rather than later.
Ollie Pearce – York City
24-25 Stats
Appearances: 45 Goals: 31 Assists: 10
When a player is involved in 41 goals in 45 appearances and their numbers are slightly down on the previous season you know you’ve got a constant goal threat and Ollie Pearce is that guy.
Pearce was signed from Worthing after 43 goals and 15 assists in the National League South in 23-24. There was a few questions raised as to whether he could step up a level and continue replicating those kind of numbers and he answered them straight away as his goals helped propel York to the upper reaches of the table.
With York still to compete in this years Play-Offs, there is a chance that Pearce and his team mates could be moving in League Two for the upcoming season.
If they do fall short at this latest hurdle, you would expect teams already in the EFL to have a look at Pearce and see if his goalscoring exploits can continue into the Football League.
Gus Scott-Moriss
24-25 Stats
Appearances: 44 Goals: 17 Assists: 5
A right-back who has found his scoring boots this season, scoring a massive 17 goals from the right back/wing back position.
Scott-Moriss has always been an attack-minded right-sided player and had scored 5+ goals in the previous three seasons, but this season he took it to new heights.
Southend do enjoy large periods of possession and you can see he has been given creative freedom to join in at every opportunity and the rewards have been massive. The goals of Scott-Moriss have been one of the main reasons that the club got into the play offs and he will hoping for more goals in the Play-Offs to send them back into the EFL.
Should they not progress to the EFL, they may have to plan for next season without GSM as there will no doubt be suitors watching the right-back and waiting to pounce.
Sam Beckwith – Rochdale
24-25 Stats
Appearances: 44 Goals: 2 Assists: 0
A player signed by Rochdale last summer from fellow National League side Maidenhead United. The left-back has been an important part of the Rochdale defensive unit this season only missing two league games.
Beckwith was highly-rated at Luton but with game time limited as the Hatters rose up the pyramid, he went and found National League football with Maidenhead before signing for Rochdale.
The left-back has been mentioned as one of the highest rated players in the division and similar to GSM and Ollie Pearce mentioned earlier, Beckwith could help his side go up via the Play-Offs. If Rochdale do fail to do so, you can see that Beckwith is ambitious and prepared to take the step up and will no doubt have suitors in the EFL should he need them.
Reece Smith
24-25 Stats
Appearances: 43 Goals: 6 Assists: 9
A bright spark in a disappointing season for Maidenhead United.
Maidenhead may not have kept their National League status at the end of the season but there’s definitely one player on the radar of clubs and he will likely have some EFL clubs watching him too.
With 15 goal involvements in a team that got relegated, Smith will have drawn the eyes of many clubs. The left winger was a big part of the side and with his contract coming to an end this summer, it may be time for the 23-year-old to shake hands with Maidenhead and pursue the opportunity to play higher.
Nick Haughton
24-25 Stats
Appearances: 45 Goals: 19 Assists: 12
31 goal contributions from Haughton were not enough to save AFC Fylde from the drop this season and you dread to think how bad it could of been without the player in their side.
Haughton is in a unique situation compared to the others in this list as he has played in the EFL before with Fleetwood Town and is one of the older players in this list.
He may also feel a sense of loyalty to Fylde having been there for a number of years. The move back to the National League or the EFL has also been taken out of Haughton’s hands as Fylde activated an extension in his contract meaning he is now contracted for the 25-26 season.
A player of Haughton’s calibre should not be playing in the National League North next season but due to Fylde’s excellent business, it will take a fee to sign him this summer.