Five National League To Football League Stars

By Tom Feaheny

January has seen National League players move to the Football League, we've looked at how they have impressed and what fans can expect.

These five players rightly impressed this campaign and have earned the move to another side, writes Tom Feaheny.

Jonny Maxted- Guiseley to Accrington Stanley

The goalkeeper was a key reason why Guiseley stayed up last season and won the fans player of the season during the last campaign.

He again impressed this season, and kept making impressive save after impressive save, while last season a performance on Boxing Day at Lincoln City saw him make three incredible saves, this campaign his best games were against Accrington Stanley.

He saved penalties in the shootout against Stanley after keeping Guiseley in it, so it was no surprise when Accrington came in for the keeper who will compete with Aaron Chapman for the number one top.

Bernard Mensah- Aldershot Town to Bristol Rovers

Fifteen goals in a season and a half for the Shots and performances that saw them last season make the play-offs and this campaign lead to the side to fighting for promotion meant Mensah was bound to attract interest.

Mensah joined the Shots in 2016 and made 44 appearances for the north Hampshire team in the 2016-17 season, scoring 11 times, then he had played 15 times, scoring four goals.

Mensah was also previously with Braintree Town and Barnet in the National League on loan.

The 23-year-old made his debut for Bristol Rovers as a late substitute in their 3-1 win over Bradford City last Saturday.

Dayle Grubb-Weston-Super-Mare to Forest Green Rovers

282 games and 88 goals for Weston-Super-Mare, including 29 in the calendar year of 2017 saw Grubb move to the League Two side.

It was a proud moment for Weston-Super-Mare where the striker had played for since the 2010/11 season.

Grubb made the decision to go full-time and left his job as a sports teacher.

The forward grabbed a double at the weekend for Forest Green Rovers helping them defeat Cambridge United 4-2.

Joe Pigott- Maidstone United to AFC Wimbledon

Pigott has played for Championship, League One and League Two sides and after impressing with Maidstone United saw plenty of interest in him.

17 goals for Maidstone United in 45 matches, with the forward thriving at his hometown club and quickly becoming a fans favourite.

Pigott had a dream debut for AFC Wimbledon scoring as the side defeated Blackpool 2-0.

Joe Ward- Woking to Peterborough United

Ward started at Chelmsford City and after scoring eight goals in 63 games he was signed by Brighton & Hove Albion.

He was loaned to Lincoln City last season and played in their FA Cup run including the game against Arsenal before picking up an injury.

After leaving the Premier League side, he joined Woking and a healthy return of six goals in 27 games, including a scoring in the FA Cup against Peterborough saw him linked with a move to them.

So far he has played twice for a club who know about the quality the Vanarama National League has to offer with Craig Mackail-Smith, George Boyd, Aaron McLean and current Posh winger Marcus Maddison all signed from the leagues.

For more news, reaction and action from across the National League, like us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter and Instagram.

Where next?

Gateshead Snap Up Former Black Cats Winger Gateshead have signed winger Rees Greenwood until the end of the season after his release by SkyBet Championship side Sunderland.
Atkinson Becomes A Pilgrim As Harrogate Re-Call Middleton Boston United have completed the signing of former West Bromwich Albion and Notts County right-back Wes Atkinson.

Match Center

Vanarama National League North
Vanarama National League South

Latest photos

Banbury United 0 South Shields 3
46 photos
Curzon Ashton 4 Banbury United 1
82 photos
Curzon Ashton 4 Banbury United 1
44 photos