Try GOLD - Free

THE TOP 50 FOOTBALL LEAGUE PLAYERS AS VOTED BY THE FANS

FourFourTwo UK

|

May 2023

As the season's run-in approaches, it can only mean one thing: with help from our readers, it's time for FFT's annual list of the finest stars outside the top flight

- Huw Davies, Andrew Murray, Chris Evans, Gabriel Sutton, Mark White, Marcus Alves, Ed McCambridge, Richard Edwards

THE TOP 50 FOOTBALL LEAGUE PLAYERS AS VOTED BY THE FANS

50 HANNIBAL MEJBRI 

BIRMINGHAM CITY

POSITION MIDFIELDER AGE 20

In another challenging season for Birmingham, the Manchester United loanee’s intense pressing has won him many a fan, either side of 10 minutes at the World Cup with Tunisia. If he channels his aggression better, he’ll go far.

HIGHLIGHT Pulling off a clever and perfectly-executed free-kick against West Brom to catch out David Button at his near post.

49 ANDY COOK

BRADFORD CITY

POSITION FORWARD AGE 32

Strong enough to be a focal point, skilled and mobile enough to thrive individually, ‘Cookie’ did threaten in patches last season but is now more consistent, with 18 league goals before March.

HIGHLIGHT Showing strength, spirit, technique and composure to score against Gillingham after nicking the ball on the touchline.

48 PAUL SMYTH 

LEYTON ORIENT

POSITION FORWARD AGE 25

The pacy left-winger has made 2022-23 his sizzle reel, bagging a wide array of majestic goals.

HE SAID “It’s quite strange, not scoring a worldie” – in August, referencing his wonder strike against Barrow last March. He’s since netted a 20-yard peach, a bicycle kick and a solo dribble he converted after being floored.

47 WILL COLLAR 

STOCKPORT COUNTY

POSITION MIDFIELDER AGE 26

MORE STORIES FROM FourFourTwo UK

FourFourTwo UK

FourFourTwo UK

"MY KIDS STILL BRING UP THE RABONA FAIL... I DID IT LOADS IN MY CAREER, AND I'D TRY IT AGAIN TODAY!"

The Blackburn legend talks about playing for his boyhood club, World Cup heartbreak and one of the Premier League's most infamous bloopers

time to read

5 mins

January 2026

FourFourTwo UK

FourFourTwo UK

AROUND THE GROUNDS

Hearts' chair steps down this month, having taken them from near liquidation to the top of the table - with a little bit of help from Tony Bloom

time to read

4 mins

January 2026

FourFourTwo UK

FourFourTwo UK

THE BOY'S A BIT SPECIAL

We assess a Chelsea-bound starlet and Bournemouth's new strike ace

time to read

4 mins

January 2026

FourFourTwo UK

FourFourTwo UK

ORIENT TO THE OCHE

Matt Porter was the chief executive at a League One club aged only 26 - now he's running professional darts

time to read

3 mins

January 2026

FourFourTwo UK

FourFourTwo UK

BANTAMS' WAIT IS OVER

Bradford were long odds for League Two promotion in January - now Championship football is a realistic aim

time to read

6 mins

January 2026

FourFourTwo UK

FourFourTwo UK

"I HAVE A NEW KNEE, HIP AND HAD A TRIPLE HEART BYPASS - I'M READY IF ENGLAND NEED ME FOR 2026"

Brian Clough's go-to centre-half looks back at bollockings from Old Big 'Ead, Derby's glory days and the curious pathway his managerial career followed

time to read

5 mins

January 2026

FourFourTwo UK

FourFourTwo UK

FERRARI OR FOOTBALL CLUB?

Harry Hugo fancied a sports car, but spent his money on a non-league side

time to read

2 mins

January 2026

FourFourTwo UK

WHICH PREMIER LEAGUE MANAGER HAS DONE THE BEST JOB IN 2025?

THE BURNING QUESTION

time to read

3 mins

January 2026

FourFourTwo UK

FourFourTwo UK

"I THOUGHT I'D BE A PREMIER LEAGUE CHAMP WHEN I JOINED UNITED, BUT IT DIDN'T TURN OUT THAT WAY"

The Frenchman on rising through the pyramid at Southampton, why Louis van Gaal stifled his game and playing at a legendary World Cup stadium

time to read

4 mins

January 2026

FourFourTwo UK

FourFourTwo UK

"I was crying. My wife was crying. We've been through a lot"

The renowned sports writer chats with an Arsenal hero who overcame adversity to run 26 miles and become Luton's new gaffer in 2025

time to read

11 mins

January 2026

Translate

Share

-
+

Change font size