It's a bit different from me today, and hopefully a slightly shorter one. It’s the height of the summer and the transfers are flying. It’s an exciting time to be a scout and recruitment teams are in overdrive. Ducking and diving, trying to beat rivals to those top transfer targets, and scrambling to not miss out or be late to the party.
As a scout, I normally find, highlight, and analyze players. This blog normally revolves around these aspects. Sometimes though it’s nice to keep tabs, to check in and see who’s gone where, did they get a move? Did they make the jump in level? Now this isn’t me blowing my own trumpet, it’s not a look I told you so kinda piece. It’s just nice to clarify that some of the players I’ve mentioned got the moves and chances they deserved. I haven’t gone into detail about each player, I’ll be repeating myself and the articles can be read if you’re interested. It’s a cheeky way of asking you to read my back catalog and I’ve included links. This is essentially a short, sharp run-through of where a few players have deservedly ended up.
Josh Osude & Saka Hassan
Hashtag United to Woking FC & Wealdstone FC
Back in January, I saw a lot of the Isthmian League Premier side Hashtag United. I was there when they tore Cray Valley apart away from home, destroying the league’s surprise package 5-1. This sparked me to write up some articles on Hashtags’ two speed demons, Josh Osude and Saka Hassan. With the side not troubling the promotion places, I thought both players could be interesting teams in the National League North/South or even potentially the National League itself. Both had spells of great form and contributed goals. I said back then that pace is dangerous at any level and a valuable asset to any team but when you couple it with efficiency and end product, opposition managers will notice.
Osude got his move early, having been one of the best players in the league for 4 months. National League side Woking FC planned to get him in the summer, but with their form patchy and other clubs circling, they bought the move forward, signing him in mid-March. Joining so late in the season meant that he had had little time to bed in to the squad and thus was always going to be more of an impact sub initially. Having played in Steps 5 and 6 before Hashtag, he has definitely earned his move to full-time football. With a full pre-season and more training time, I’d love him to show that same explosiveness in the National League.
Hassan had another great season and was one of the side’s most consistent performers. He also turned out in Sky Sports Baller League, gaining further attention from a host of Non-League clubs. He left Hashtag following the expiration of his contract and showed little interest in signing a new deal, making it very public that he considered his future in full-time football. Last week, National League side Wealdstone FC announced they had secured his signature. Not quite fulltime, but damn close, the side train 3/4 times a week at the Brunel University of London. I thought back in January that a National League South club would be a good landing spot; he’s gone one division better. Hassan has got his ‘full-time’ wish, pressure will be on now to see if he can make the jump up 2 leagues.
Link to my piece on Saka Hassan
Link to my piece on Josh Osude
Jasper Mather
Bognor Regis to St Albans
With Bognor doomed to relegation, Mather looked destined for step 4 football next season. Expiration of his contract made any move easier and he looks to have avoided step 4. I originally wrote about Mather back at the start of May, he was one of my Isthmian players who clubs in the Isthmian Premier or above should look to sign if they wanted to improve their squad.
Former Step 2 side St Albans were relegated from the National League South this season and will be turning out in the Isthmian League Premier next season. They have snapped up Mather, and the transfer looks like a savvy piece of business. The tall, wide player was the second top scorer and a constant threat for a fairly woeful Bognor Regis last year. At 25, the winger is in his prime and has a range of experience at the level. If he can bring his form from last year to a club at the opposite end of the table. I think he’ll be a real asset to the side looking to win the league and bounce straight back up.
Darion Dowrich
Cray Wanderers to Hemel Hempstead
Darion Dowrich was always going to be a man in demand this summer. The talented fullback swept the board at Cray Wanderers end of season awards and was ever present in their miserly defence. At 21, he’s the perfect mix of experience for his age with plenty of room to develop his game further. I always thought he seemed to be playing at relative ease at step 3, but he had signed up to Cray for the whole of the 2024-2025 season. Following the expiration of his deal, I’ve heard through the football world grapevine that Cray did their utmost to keep the defender, at this point though it was clear he needed the challenge at a higher level.
I earmarked Dowrich as easily a National League North/South player, potentially even a squad player at the National League. His athletic ability is excellent, and he is a technically strong defender when robbing wingers of possession. He was part of a 16 clean sheets last year, a great return considering Cray Wanderers spent most of the season safely stuck in mid-table. I mentioned previously that I thought his attacking threat and passing could improve; he has the attributes, but I found him slightly casual in possession. Although I have seen claims he registered 10 assists last term, these kind of stats at step 3 are hard to verify.
Last month, National League South side Hemel Hempstead announced his signature. The side is expected to do well this season and has had an ambitious recruitment drive, getting deals done nice and early. I’m excited to see if he can continue that form for the Tudors and test himself at a higher level. He’s gone from step 6 to 3 and completed all with relative ease. Step 2 next season, but I wouldn’t be surprised if we see him even higher before long.
Link to my piece on Isthmian Premier players (Including Dowrich & Mather)
Slavi Spasov
Slough Town to Southend United
At the top level, big, strong out-and-out number 9s are becoming rarer. The type that not only scores goals and occupies defenders, but also link up and turns created for his teammates. Non-league have a few still playing their trade, Slough Town’s Bulgarian-born Slavi Spasov was one that I thoroughly enjoyed watching last year.
A powerful aerial threat, a physical menace, clever movement, game awareness and a nice first touch and lay off are a list of his qualities. His job is to score though, and I highlighted that his 15-goal return last year was a good contribution but not spectacular. Going as far to say that National League scouts might want more before making a move, and that he’d suit a team chasing a title or promotion from the National League South. National League side Southend obviously saw the same skills as I did but had less worries about him scoring more goals at step 2. Having missed out narrowly on promotion to the EFL, Southend have a strong argument to be the biggest club outside of the Football League.
Spasov will bring another option to their front line and give them a range of skills. That being said, I’d expect him to come in as a squad player initially and to compete for a place in the first team as the season progresses. At 23, he has plenty of room to develop, with better facilities, coaching and a full-time schedule, he’ll be able to dedicate himself to progressing.
Ben Brookes
Maidstone United to York City
Maidstone United failed to achieve promotion through the play-offs last season, making it harder for them to keep hold of their star assets this summer. They lost their leading goal scorer Aaron Blair and defender Temi Eweka to National League Eastleigh. Perhaps the biggest dent though was at left-back with Ben Brookes. The Stones lost the assist-generating defender to York City. York were desperately unlucky not to be promoted to the EFL last season, having been in the automatic player off spots for the majority of the season. They’ll be looking to win the league next season, or at least secure promotion after 9 years away from the EFL.
When I wrote my piece on the National League South players I felt deserved moves, Brookes was a no-brainer. His numbers for G/A contributions were excellent. He played LB/LWB/LM last season; his versatility and ability to affect the game both offensively and defensively were very important in Maidstone’s run to the play-offs. His biggest attribute is his technique and ability to strike the ball with a range of power and spin. This is evident in him being his side’s primary set-piece taker. His passing is at a very high standard. I also like the way he is confident enough to see and attempt to execute higher-risk, high-reward passes, taking on a lot of responsibility for the side’s chance creation. Positioning himself high and wide up the pitch, he is an expert in delivering positive passes from deeper positions.
I initially suggested Brookes would be of interest to other National League South big hitters, or National League newbies, but with his move to title-chasing York, he has secured a huge move (both geographically and in standard). His form has earned him this move. If he can continue it at the higher level, then I expect him to play a key part in York’s season. I’d love to see if he can be an EFL player in the next few years. He’s done the hard yards at various steps in the pyramid, and he’s earned his chance.
Link to my piece on National League South Players (Including Spasov and Brookes)
Harrison Burke
Chester to Walsall FC
Harrison Burke was one of my favourite players to watch in the National League North last season. He might have been my favourite player to watch in any league come to think of it. What isn’t there to love about a free-scoring CB, a towering aerial presence at only 180cm and the mobility to rob even the tidiest wingers and forwards.
Burke was surely going to be hot property this summer, and with Chester missing out on promotion due to a defeat in the playoff final, it was always going to be hard for the side to hold on to their star man. I wrote a piece a couple of weeks ago about my top 8 players in the National League North, Burke was top of the pile and I expected him to be snapped up by a top National League Club or potentially a move into the EFL with a lower League 2 side. I was right about the move; it wasn’t exactly a shock revelation, but I didn’t expect him to jump to a League 2 side who narrowly missed out on promotion. Walsall finished 3rd and lost out in the promotion play-off final vs AFC Wimbledon, next year they’ll be chasing automatic promotion. They announced his signature on June 12th and in my opinion, they have an excellent player who, with full-time training and better facilities, could develop into an EFL mainstay for the foreseeable future. At 22 and the jump in levels, he might not go straight into the first team, but I expect him to thrive when he does. Look out for him flying through the air at corners next season.
Jaiden White
Alongside Burke, Jaiden White was another on of my most exciting National League North players. The wide, raw midfielder had an instant impact at Hereford, joining from step 3 in November. He instantly made the step up and became Hereford’s main attacking threat.
In my original piece, I highlighted all of White’s strengths; he’s an interesting player with raw flair and the confidence to try high-risk/high-reward passes and shots often. At the time, I stressed concerns I thought he was one-dimensional at times, relied too much on his stronger foot and although his G/A output is impressive, higher-level defenders might work him out. Despite all that, I thought higher-level Step 2 clubs would look to sign him and look to develop his evident skill set, making him a more versatile forward with the potential for him to make a step up in leagues in the future.
Clearly I was slightly harsh. White has recently signed for South London side Sutton FC. They ply their trade in the National League, meaning White has already made the jump; he’s moved up 2 divisions in one season. The wide player’s undeniable ability to make things happen and room for development (he’s still only 23) proved him to be an attractive pick-up. I’m very excited to see how he steps up next season and with Sutton being reasonably local to me, I’ll be able to witness first hand if he can introduce new aspects to his game and keep defenders guessing.
Link to my piece on National League North players (Including Burke & White)
Freddie Parker
On the flip side, sometimes players don’t get the moves, more unusually, some fall out of love with football and don’t want to commit to the schedule anymore. I wrote about Freddie Parker of Cray Valley back in early January, he was flying at the time and I thought it was only a matter of time before National League/National League South sides was offering something. He wants to concentrate on other things and has stepped away from the game, but it’s a real shame in my opinion, he was an old
School number 9, I loved to watch play.
Link to my article on Freddie Parker
All pictures sourced from the club’s websites and socials. Links below
https://www.wokingfc.co.uk/
https://www.wealdstone-fc.com/
https://www.hemelfc.com/
https://www.southendunited.co.uk/
https://yorkcityfootballclub.co.uk/
https://www.stalbanscityfc.com/
https://www.saddlers.co.uk/
https://www.suttonunited.net/
https://www.crayvalleypmfc.com/