FourFourTwo compile a list of the best players in the Football League at this time every year – and we do it by asking you, our readers.
We polled fans of all 72 Football League clubs, from Accrington Stanley to Wycombe Wanderers, asking supporters to name the standout stars in their team’s division – not including those in their own side.
Championship supporters gave us a ranking list of their top 10 players, with first place getting 10 points, second receiving nine, down to a single point for 10th.
In Leagues One and Two, supporters offered their top five, with five points for first, down to one point for fifth. The points were then totted up, and a weighting given to each division, to reveal our final half-century.
No countdown is ever met with universal agreement – we’ve learned that by now – so let the debate begin. If you’re convinced our voters have got it utterly wrong, tell us how and why via Twitter including the hashtag:
Sadly, not every club in the Football League can be represented in our top 50. Among those who just missed out: a midfielder who played at last year’s World Cup and a former beach soccer international
ROSAIRE LONGELO
ACCRINGTON STANLEY DEFENDER AGE 23 The bright, ball-carrying wing-back has starred on either flank following John Coleman’s switch to a back three, and is now adding some vital goal contributions to Accy’s relegation battle.
LUCA CONNELL
BARNSLEY MIDFIELDER AGE 21 Released by Celtic, Connell is positively purring at the base of Barnsley’s midfield. His left foot is artistic – look up his goal at Port Vale, scored after 25 seconds.
BEN WHITFIELD
BARROW FORWARD AGE 27 On votes, the winger would be in a League Two Team of the Season, offering five goals and 10 assists before March 1 in his first campaign above non-league since ’18-19.
CALLUM CONNOLLY
BLACKPOOL DEFENDER AGE 25 The problem for this bleak Blackpool side is that Connolly – superb in a vital 1-0 win against Stoke – is their leading right-back, centre-back and central midfielder.
SAM HUGHES
BURTON ALBION DEFENDER AGE 25 After a Boxing Day win against Lincoln brought their aerial monster an injury to accompany his goal and assist, Burton lost 5-0 and then 4-0. On Hughes’ return, they won three on the spin.
HARVEY KNIBBS
CAMBRIDGE UNITED FORWARD AGE 23 Manager Mark Bonner hailed his talisman’s “ridiculous progress” in racing back from injury to fight the drop in his fourth U’s season. Their hopes rest on Knibbs.
CALLUM ROBINSON
CARDIFF CITY FORWARD AGE 28 The last of Cardiff’s 17 signings last summer was the most crucial. From September through February, he scored or assisted more
