The Brentford and Crawley players who show me non-league is not a non-starter

Fin Stevens pictured playing for Worthing a year ago - now he is making his mark at Brentford

Former Worthing teenager Fin Stevens has been featuring in the Brentford team and was seen on live TV holding his own in their FA Cup defeat to Leicester on Sunday. It was his third appearance in the cups for the Bees this season.

Jordan Maguire-Drew, who impressed in his Woodside Road spell, has just joined Crawley – along with another two of Hinshelwood’s former proteges, Davide Rodari and Jamies Tilley, who he coached at Hastings and Brighton.

The Worthing boss highlighted others doing well after moving up the football ladder, like striker Omar Bugiel and goalkeeper Lucas Colovan, who are at top National League sides Sutton and Torquay.

Davide Rodari has moved from eighth-tier Hastings to fourth-tier Crawley / Picture: Scott White

Hinshelwood says it’s evidence pro clubs are increasingly looking towards non-league to find talent.

“It was great to watch Fin playing against a Premier League team in the FA Cup, then a couple of days later, Davide, who I gave a debut to at Hastings, was signing for Crawley.

“Football League and top National League Clubs more and more are picking up good young players from non-league and giving them opportunities and as a coach it is great to see.

“Davide reminds me of Omar, in that he’s been very hungry to improve his game.

"It shows that clubs like Worthing and Hastings are great clubs to play for if you’re a young player wanting to go far.”