Yes, it’s that time of year once again: with a little help from our readers, FFT reveals the 50 finest players outside the Premier League this season
Words and interviews Huw Davies, Gabriel Sutton, Ryan Dabbs, Chris Flanagan, Chris Evans
FOOTBALL LEAGUE TOP 50
50 JOBE BELLINGHAM
SUNDERLAND
POSITION MIDFIELDER AGE 18 Though he’s fared admirably as a false nine due to Sunderland’s issues up top, Jobe is doubtless best deployed in an attacking midfield role. The 18-year-old’s glorious first touch is like glue.
THEY SAID “He doesn’t want to live off the back of his brother’s name,” said Tony Mowbray, then Sunderland manager. “He wants to be the footballer that he is.”
49 MICKEY DEMETRIOU
CREWE ALEXANDRA
POSITION DEFENDER AGE 35 Free transfers don’t come much better. Demetriou departed Newport to lend Crewe’s crèche his experience – but more than that, he’s been transformative and led their promotion charge.
DID YOU KNOW? As of March 1, only 12 League Two players had contributed to more non-penalty goals than the central defender.
48 MATT SMITH
SALFORD CITY
POSITION FORWARD AGE 34 Where might they be without Smith? Despite the Ammies’ struggles, their veteran is in Golden Boot contention while being a reliable outball: he’s contested 250 more headers than anyone else in the fourth tier and boasts the best aerial win rate of any frontman.
HIGHLIGHT October’s hot streak of eight goals in just five games.
47 DANKEMP
MK DONS
POSITION MIDFIELDER AGE 25 Kemp’s deadly double act with fellow loanee Jake Young inspired Swindon through the first half of the season, and following their respective recalls Kemp carried on his form for MK. His finishing has been superb: 17 goals as of March 6, and 10 assists to boot.
THEY SAID “Best League Two player by a mile” – Charlie Austin.
46 COLBY BISHOP
PORTSMOUTH
POSITION FORWARD AGE 27 Normally Bishops can only move diagonally, but this one can drop into the hole, link up play and graft in the channels. The former Accrington striker provides goals, but it’s his all-round game that’s been crucial to Pompey’s title tilt.
HIGHLIGHT He loves a cheeky backheeled finish – Stevenage learned the hard way in January.
45 JAMIE REID
STEVENAGE
POSITION FORWARD AGE 29 Stevenage’s unlikely bid for back-to-back promotions is built on Reid��
