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Looking back for some fascinating facts, you just start to wonder. Why has splashing the cash been so important in recent years? In fact, some of the best moves ever for the club turn out to be former non-league players.
Stan Collymore is one to look at. He was released by Wolves. He had to start his senior career with Stafford Rangers. His non-league goalscoring records made him a target for Crystal Palace. The Stan Collymore story is well known. He played for England, Forest, Liverpool, and Aston Villa. He eventually turned up at Leicester.
Steve Claridge became a cult hero at Leicester. He had a short stay. However, he scored some very important goals for the club. He won the EFL Cup and helped get Leicester promoted to Premier League. Claridge in his early days had spells at Weymouth and Fareham Town before moving into league football.
Jamie Vardy is of course the most recent example, being signed directly from non-league to Leicester in 2011. He has since shown that his background from years in non-league football had no disadvantage.
In the eightees, Alan Smith joined Leicester from Alvechurch to partner Gary Lineker as a massive strike force. This partnership was one of the best in the league during the early eightees. Smith later joined Arsenal and played for England.
New graphic! The playing career of Leicester City and Arsenal legend, Alan Smith 🏴⚽️⚽️⚽️ @9smudge @Alvechurch1st @LCFC @Arsenal #Alvechurch #LeicesterCity #LCFC #Arsenal #AFC #COYG pic.twitter.com/5YsGVos9b2
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Jock Wallace looked for recruitment in the Scottish highland. Ian Wilson and Kevin MacDonald were two strategic recruits. Brought them in from Elgin and Inverness. At the time, these teams were part of the Scottish Highland League, below the SFL system. Wilson went on to win Scottish full caps. He played an important part for Leicester during the eighties. Wilson moved to Everton. McDonald joined Liverpool.
Josh Gordon and Nick Cusack are other names to talk about regarding non-league football experience. Cusack joining from Alvechurch and Gordon from Stafford Rangers. None of them became as popular as Alan Smith and Stan Collymore. They came from the same clubs.
Often players ending up in the lower tiers, might have issues regarding injuries or professionalism. Very few players return from the lower leagues to reach the highest level. However, as we have seen, Leicester have proven that theory wrong on several occasions.
The major chase for recruitment from the continent or from the same or lower EFL levels can be good. It also shows that certain players have the ability to take steps to the very highest level.
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