Source: Daily_Mail
From non-league to big league: the stars that began in amateur football
Hitting the big time: Chris Smalling has signed for Manchester United[LNB]From non-league football to the biggest club in the world - it has been a dramatic two years for Manchester United's new signing Chris Smalling.[LNB]The centre-back, 20, will spend the rest of the season at Craven Cottage before moving to Old Trafford to hook up with Wayne Rooney and co when just a couple of seasons ago he was turning our for Maidstone United in the Isthmian Premier Division against the likes of Canvey Island and Dartford.[LNB]It is a remarkable leap in short space of time for Smalling who earned an England Under 21 debut in November last year and a first league start six weeks later, but he's not the first player to make a giant leap up the football pyramid.[LNB]Sportsmail takes a look at the other non-league players who made the jump to the big time ...[LNB]Les FerdinandFerdinand played for a number of non-league clubs before being snapped up by QPR from Hayes in 1987 for £30,000.[LNB]His professional career didn't enjoy what you waould term an electric start, he was loaned out to Brentford and Besiktas, but he later became 'Sir Les' as the goals came by the bucketload up at Newcastle and later Tottenham.[LNB] Sir Les: Ferdinand enjoyed a superb career in the top flight and is seen here in action for Newcastle against Wimbledon in 1995[LNB]Stuart PearceFootball, it seemed, wasn't for Psycho who was establishing a career as an electrician and plumber while playing for Wealdstone long before he'd become the free-kick specialist, World Cup penalty-missing left-back we all came to love.[LNB]Coventry City paid £30,000 for Pearce in 1983 before Nottingham Forest bought him two years later and his career blossomed.[LNB] Psycho: Stuart Pearce will be fondly remembered as one of Nottingham Forest's greatest players[LNB]Stan CollymoreColly initially slipped through the net after failing to make the grade at Wolves and Walsall before moving to Stafford Rangers in the Conference.[LNB]But his breakthrough came in 1992 when he was signed by Palace but was soon shipped out to Southend and later Nottingham Forest where his goals earned him a big-money move to Liverpool.[LNB] Stan the man: Collymore in action for Liverpool against Wimbledon [LNB]Ian WrightHe left it really late did Wrighty - he moved from Greenwich Borough to Crystal Palace aged 22, in a deal in which his transfer was secured in exchange for a set of weights.[LNB]He enjoyed a successful spell Selhurst Park and later went on to become Arsenal's all-time top goalscorer - until Thierry Henry turned up, that is.[LNB] Arsenal legend: Ian Wright firing home for the Gunners against Blackburn in 1996[LNB]John BarnesGraham Taylor made one of his more sensible decisions by giving the young Barnes a chance in the Watford reserve team after he was scouted playing for Sudbury Town in 1981.[LNB]Taylor offered Barnes a professional contract and the faith was repaid with 65 goals in six seasons at Vicarage Road before his £900,000 move to Liverpool in 1987.[LNB] Barnes: Was a firm favourite at Anfield[LNB] Chris Smalling completes switch to Manchester United as Arsenal lose out on Fulham defenderWe don't want Manchester United star Wayne Rooney - Englishmen can't play abroad, snipes Real Madrid chief[LNB] [LNB]
