As the season’s run-in approaches, it can only mean one thing: with help from our readers, it’s time for FFT’s annual list of the finest stars outside the top flight
Words and interviews Huw Davies, Andrew Murray, Chris Evans, Gabriel Sutton, Mark White, Marcus Alves, Ed McCambridge, Richard Edwards
50 HANNIBAL MEJBRI
BIRMINGHAM CITY
POSITION MIDFIELDER AGE 20 In another challenging season for Birmingham, the Manchester United loanee’s intense pressing has won him many a fan, either side of 10 minutes at the World Cup with Tunisia. If he channels his aggression better, he’ll go far. HIGHLIGHT Pulling off a clever and perfectly-executed free-kick against West Brom to catch out David Button at his near post.
49 ANDY COOK
BRADFORD CITY
POSITION FORWARD AGE 32 Strong enough to be a focal point, skilled and mobile enough to thrive individually, ‘Cookie’ did threaten in patches last season but is now more consistent, with 18 league goals before March. HIGHLIGHT Showing strength, spirit, technique and composure to score against Gillingham after nicking the ball on the touchline.
48 PAUL SMYTH
LEYTON ORIENT
POSITION FORWARD AGE 25 The pacy left-winger has made 2022-23 his sizzle reel, bagging a wide array of majestic goals. HE SAID “It’s quite strange, not scoring a worldie” – in August, referencing his wonder-strike against Barrow last March. He’s since netted a 20-yard peach, a bicycle kick and a solo dribble he converted after being floored.
47 WILL COLLAR
STOCKPORT COUNTY
POSITION MIDFIELDER AGE 26 Dave Challinor’s mad Hatters mix up their game impeccably and Collar is a big part of their push for back-to-back promotions. He’s a fine passer with boundless energy in his box-to-box role. DID YOU KNOW? With a dozen goals, even as a No.8, he nets in bursts: five in three in December, then five in five during February.
46 DION CHARLES
BOLTON WANDERERS
POSITION FORWARD AGE 27 Like many strikers to rise from non-league, Charles is dogged and aggressive. He transmits his work ethic a tad more selfishly through Ian Evatt’s instruction and has gained his rewards by keeping narrow: with 18 before March, he should be Bolton’s first player to hit 20 goals in a season (all competitions) since 2000-01.
45 CONOR CHAPLIN
IPSWICH TOWN
POSITION FORWARD AGE 26 Having been Valerien Ismael’s pressing monster in Barnsley’s incredible Championship play-off campaign of 2020-21, Chaplin is the cute No.10 Kieran McKenna wanted at Ipswich: still physical, but instinctive in the final third. THEY SAID “Conor is the best finisher I’ve ever worked with” – former Ipswich boss Paul Cook.
44 TOMINCE
READING
POSITION MI
