Lower League does not always Equal = Crap!!!! Patience! "As birthday presents go, signing for a Premier League club is not a bad one. Just five years ago, Garath McCleary was playing non-league football, but the winger celebrated his 25th birthday by signing for Premier League Reading. The deal was announced on Wednesday and the ex-Nottingham Forest man can now look forward to life in the top flight. "It was the best birthday present I could ask for. It was a brilliant surprise for me," McCleary told BBC Radio Berkshire. McCleary spent time with Oxford United as a youngster before dropping down into non-league football, but he was given his big break in 2008 when he was signed by Forest. It took the winger time to find his feet, but has just enjoyed his breakthrough season, scoring nine goals in 23 games, including four in one match against Leeds. His impressive form towards the end of the season helped keep Forest in the Championship, and with his contract coming to an end, the suitors soon came calling. Reading were first to show an interest, and despite a late bid from another high-profile club, the Madejski Stadium was always going to be his likely destination. "
My point being Forest bought him from lower league (actually non league Bromley) and he is now in the prem. There are gems to be found every now and then, so lets not all make assumptions that only crap kicks around in the lower leagues. As you say Kightly (Grays Athletic)
But if we had signed him he would have been from a Championship club. He has proved himself capable at this level, Forest took all the risk.
There's no doubting the fact that there are some good players in Leagues 1 & 2, and in the Conference, the trick is to find the right one before anybody else does, and then for the player to be able to step up to the mark in the higher league. The problem is, the ones who tick all the boxes are not easy to find amongst all the other 'also rans'.
My only point being if we look and sign from the likes of Bromley et al!. The "cant polish a turd" statements come out along with lower league crap etc etc. Not always the case! Thats all!
Agree Albatross, but there are some out there and they sometimes take time to settle. Just a general observation, that not all players in divisions below us should be written off.