Football League Top 50
The votes are in for our annual poll, celebrating the very finest stars outside the Premier League
As is tradition by now, Fourfourtwo presents our annual rundown of the finest players from outside the top flight. We really couldn’t have done it without you...
50 COLIN KAZIM- RICHARDS
DERBY COUNTY
POSITION FORWARD AGE 34 Few players can boast a career like Kazim- Richards. Beginning with Bury, the forward has spent spells in Turkey at Fenerbahce, Galatasaray and Bursaspor, also rocking up in France, Greece, the Netherlands, Scotland, Brazil and Mexico, before signing for Derby in October. His goals have taken the Rams away from relegation and earned him a new contract.
49 NICKY CADDEN
FOREST GREEN ROVERS POSITION MIDFIELDER AGE 24 Considered something of a coup following his performances in the Scottish second tier last season, Cadden has delivered, which is fitting given the 24- year- old’s wicked output on the left flank, from where he’s been a menace. Rovers frontman Jamille Matt has benefited handsomely from the wideman’s precise crosses.
48 MALLIK WILKS
HULL CITY
POSITION FORWARD AGE 22 The 22- year- old had a tragic start to his career, learning of his brother’s murder just three days before his first- team debut for Leeds in 2017. The Hull forward reached 20 goals for the season by early March – if his recent hot streak with the Tigers had come a little earlier, he may have been higher in our supporters’ poll.
47 VACLAV HLADKY
SALFORD CITY
POSITION GOALKEEPER AGE 30 When there are discussions about Hladky potentially being the best goalkeeper that League Two has seen in modern times, you know he must be good. Nick Pope, Jordan Pickford and Dean Henderson may have something to say about that, but with the highest save percentage in the division, the Czech gloveman is certainly living up to the billing.
46 JOE PIGOTT
AFC WIMBLEDON POSITION FORWARD AGE 27 It’s been a case of ‘ feed the Pig and he will score’ this season for the Dons – the striker has shouldered a heavy burden in netting 10 league goals before Christmas. The 27- year- old is an unselfish all- rounder who’s happy to be an aerial target and run the channels, making him more than merely a goal threat.