National League Team of the Adam Virgo Decade

TNT Sports pundit Adam Virgo announced that he is putting together a National League Team of the Decade (or more so since he has been covering the league in the 2013-14 season).

Picking just 11 players from that period to build an XI will no doubt be a tough challenge for Adam Virgo, and everybody that attempts putting together a team will no doubt have different variations and personnel.

But, I like a challenge, and having been a keen – and indeed close – watcher of the fifth tier during this period, I have decided to put together an eleven from the time Adam Virgo has been covering the league.

Adam Virgo himself has decided to impose a rule whereby no player that has played less than two seasons is eligible for consideration; that means no Elliot Lee, Tom Naylor, Macaulay Langstaff, and so on.

Instead, I have opted for a team that I feel best represents the period from 2014 to the present day, opting for a team that is perhaps not the best in terms of the most technically-gifted or wonderfully brilliant players to have graced a pitch in the National League, but more importantly have provided evidence of the biggest body of work in that time.

So, without further ado – let’s do this!

Elliott Justham
Teams during period: Dagenham and Redbridge

There hasn’t – in my opinion been a standout goalkeeper in the division, and this was without a doubt the toughest position to pick. But, I have plumped for Daggers shot-stopper Elliott Justham.

In terms of consistency over a number of years, there haven’t been many that have kept net in the fifth tier better than Justham.

There is something hugely poetic about a player who was born and bred in Dagenham having played for eight consecutive seasons for his boyhood town club. I think because of that – and the fact he has perhaps not been competing for promotion out of the division with The Daggers – he is often over-looked, but you can’t deny his ability.

He may not have made a league appearance, but he played a total of 10 games for Luton Town in 2013-14 as they won the Conference. Since then, Justham helped Dagenham and Redbridge to a play-off finish in the 2016-17 campaign and has also guided them to five top-half finishes and is well on his way to his sixth this term.

He rarely misses a game, rarely mistakes a glaring mistake, and has been capped by England C during the period, too. For me, he has been the most consistent goalkeeper that the National League has seen.

Femi Ilesanmi
Teams during period: Dover Athletic, Boreham Wood

More recent viewers of Femi Ilesanmi in the National League will perhaps only remember Femi Ilesanmi from his Boreham Wood days – and multiple play-off campaigns – but it was before his more permanent switch to Meadow Park he first showed his quality.

Ilesanmi was with Boreham Wood in the 2016-17 campaign, as they finished 11th in the National League.

Ilesanmi then made the one-season switch to Dover Athletic, and he was part of a Whites side that managed to only just miss out on the play-offs; doing so on goal difference, and in the process recording the second-best defensive record in the division.

Since he has returned to Boreham Wood, Ilesanmi has been a permanent fixture of a Wood side that have been the National League’s perennial tough-to-beat, defensively-minded outfit. Ilesanmi’s experience, guile and nous has allowed Wood to make the play-off semi-finals in 2019-20 and 2022-23. Throughout, even if Wood have not made the play-offs, they have maintained top-7 worthy defensive records; Ilesanmi has been central to that.

He may not have been the flashiest of customers, but there is a lot of value in having an honest, hard-working, robust defender. Ilesanmi has been a reliable operator down the left-hand side and I don’t think there have been many out-and-out defenders than Ilesanmi.

Callum Reynolds
Teams during period: Boreham Wood, Aldershot Town, Barnet, Dagenham and Redbridge, Bromley

If there was a defender that summed up the period that Adam Virgo has been covering the National League, and stands out in terms of consistency and reliability, it would be Callum Reynolds.

Perhaps a slight case of more clubs than Tiger Woods, Reynolds has forged a reputation over the years of being a steady and reliable, no-nonsense, honest and hard-working defender that leads by example; that’s exactly what he is.

Reynolds is now with Bromley, and he has helped them to successive play-off finishes. They got to the semi-finals last year where they lost out to Woking, and they are on course to once again finish in the top three in the National League and seal a spot in the semi-finals.

Prior to that, in 2016-17 he was on the books at Aldershot Town and he was able to oversee their top-5 (as it was at the time) finish to secure a play-off spot.

After leaving Aldershot Town, Reynolds joined fellow National League side Barnet and once again helped them to qualify for the end-of-season eliminator with a 7th-placed finish. Indeed, they managed to get to the play-off semi-finals, losing out only to Notts County.

He joined Dagenham and Redbridge in 2020 at the end of that season, and with him in the side they secured back-to-back top-half finishes. First, they finished 12th, and they then went one better on that and finished in 8th, missing out on the play-offs by just a single point.

Overall, Reynolds has shown that if you want to compete in the top-half of the National League, he is the go-to man to have marshalling your defence. He has a proven track record of play-off finishes, and in terms of consistency over a long period of time, there is no defender that comes close to matching what Reynolds has done.

Ash Palmer
Teams during period: Guiseley, Stockport County, Chesterfield

Shortly after helping Chesterfield to clinch a long-awaited return to the EFL, there were pictures circling of Ash Palmer on social media with a caption with words to the effect of “Ash Palmer knows how to win trophies”.

Indeed, his title with Chesterfield his second trophy at this level and Palmer has proven to be a consistent performer in the fifth tier.

His latest triumph with Chesterfield has seen Palmer be a picture of experience and nous at the back in helping to marshal The Spireites backline alongside Jamie Grimes. His leadership and knowhow of the division and how to get over the line has been vital in helping The Spireites to almost stroll over the line, a transition that has often proved difficult.

Palmer was an even more prominent figure in the backline of Stockport County, as he helped them seal a return to the Football League, too. Making 40 appearances in the title-winning season and a combined 110 appearances over the three seasons that Palmer was in the league with The Hatters, he was an ever-present; he also chipped in with a combined 12 goals across that period.

Palmer is a born winner that knows how to do exactly that in the fifth tier like the back of his hand.

Callum Howe
Teams during period: Gateshead, Alfreton Town, Lincoln City, Eastleigh, Harrogate Town, Solihull Moors, York City

His current spell with York City may perhaps not be his proudest work in the National League, but Callum Howe is a defender who has consistently shown in the fifth tier that he is one of the best centre-backs in the league.

Callum Howe was part of the Lincoln City side that went and won the National League title, in the season when The Imps went and had their historic FA Cup run. During that same season (2016-17), Howe had a successful loan spell out at Southport, too, in which he showed his quality.

After leaving Sincil Bank, Callum Howe went to Eastleigh and helped The Spitfires to a mid-table finish, making just short of 30 appearances and also getting on the scoresheet with three goals.

After Eastleigh, Callum Howe was to be tempted back North to Harrogate Town and it was with The Sulphurites that he had one of his best seasons in the fifth tier in playing 44 games – an ever-present at the heart of the Town backline – scoring an impressive nine goals from centre-back, with his efforts helping Town to finish in the play-offs.

His form for The Sulphurites tempted Solihull Moors to go big on landing the centre-back, and whilst his end to his time at Damson Park was perhaps not the most endearing, Howe would – without question – underline his reputation as being one of the best in the National League. A top-half finish in his first season in what was a COVID-interrupted year, followed by another top-half finish and then a season in which they went even better; losing out to Grimsby Town in the play-off final.

Howe has consistently been a defender that has competed in and around the play-off places in the National League, with notable contributions at Lincoln City, Harrogate Town and Solihull Moors, and so he has to get in for me.

Jeff King
Teams during period: FC Halifax Town, Chesterfield

While his latest role with Chesterfield was perhaps not as impressive as his first year with The Spireites, or his spell prior to joining Chesterfield, Jeff King has – this year – rubber-stamped his reputation as being one of the standout right-backs that the National League has ever seen.

He has not always been a first-choice this year, but has still played a role in a Spireites side that have romped to the National League title. 15 appearances and two goals is not up to his usual high standards, but he still played his part and will go down with a promotion on his CV.

It was his exploits before this season that make a considerable case for him to be included in this team. He has been included in the Team of the Season for the National League on two separate occasions (when with FC Halifax Town in 2020-21 and last year with Chesterfield); you’ve got to be god to get into that team on two separate occasions.

Last season with his best work in a Chesterfield shirt, a prominent figure in a Spireites side that got themselves to the National League play-off final and only narrowly missed out to Notts County.

Prior to joining The Spireites, Jeff King held down a reputation as being a front-foot, attacking full-back. The 2020-21 campaign was particularly impressive, with 7 goals in 35 appearances from full-back for a Shaymen side that got to the National League play-offs.

He bows out on the National League perhaps not in the most ceremonious of ways in terms of individual campaigns – he has certainly had better – but from the body of work we have seen of King in the National League, I think that he makes for more than a worthy inclusion.

Josh Rees
Teams during period: Nuneaton Town, Torquay United, Bromley, Aldershot Town, Boreham Wood, Dagenham and Redbridge

The first player to make it into this midfield may well be viewed as somewhat of a surprise inclusion to some, but is one that I feel has shown consistently over a number of years that he is one of the top midfielders in the fifth tier; Josh Rees.

Rees’ first cameo was with Torquay United, with a productive loan spell from Nottingham Forest seeing Rees help to transform The Gulls and ultimately keep them in the league. Despite only at a young age, his displays were central in United ultimately salvaging their league status.

After Torquay United, Rees spent a season at Bromley in the 2017-18 campaign and would score an impressive tally of 16 goals in 43 appearances to help The Ravens finish 9th in the league and just three points off the play-offs.

After another single season with Bromley in 2019-20, Rees went to Aldershot Town and he continued his proficiency in front of goal with a return of 12 goals in 39 appearances in a Shots side that were struggling in the division.

Boreham Wood came calling for the midfielder that summer, and Rees would spend two successful seasons with Wood. Scoring a combined 13 league goals across the two campaigns in a more defensively-minded role, Rees was a key cog in a Wood side that finished 9th in 2021-22 and then got to the semi-final in the following campaign. Rees also played an integral role in their famous FA Cup run that saw them only lose out to Everton.

In his most recent role with Dagenham and Redbridge, he has again showed his proficiency in front of goal with a total of 13 league goals in 40 appearances. Thus, on reflection throughout the period, he has managed to forge out a really impressive three seasons, with a further two that are worthy of note, and a sixth that was impressive; that body of work – for me – makes him a shoe-in for this side.

Ruben Rodrigues
Teams during period: Notts County

Ruben Rodrigues spent three seasons playing in the National League, and the Portuguese midfielder was such a mesmeric, technical talent that he has to be in the side for me.

In the 2022-23 campaign, Rodrigues played a key part of a Magpies side that were able to mark a long-awaited return to the National League. Rodrigues was instrumental in The Magpies writing themselves into the history books as the best ever runners up; smashing through the 100-point mark and being statistically one of the best attacking sides the National League has ever seen.

Rodrigues recorded 16 goals during that season and scored some big goals, including none more so important than a leveller late on in the play-off final against Chesterfield. He was also central in helping Macaulay Langstaff in breaking the record for the most ever goals in a single season, with Rodrigues’ creativity and technical quality.

The Magpies also make the play-offs in the 2021-22 campaign, with Rodrigues again a central figure as he helped himself to 19 goals.

County also got into the play-offs in 2020-21 – Ruben Rodrigues’ first full year in the league – and remained central right until the end. Although they lost in the play-offs to Torquay United, Rodrigues was a driving force in County trying to salvage their prospects in scoring in the semi-final; he also scored a combined 11 goals in that season.

Overall, Rodrigues scored a combined tally of 46 goals across three seasons for The Magpies; a superb return for an attacking midfielder. His quality with the ball was like nothing we have ever seen before at this level, and I think he deserves a spot.

Paul Mullin
Teams during period: Wrexham

Of the players on this list, Paul Mullin may have only spent two seasons in the National League. However, such was the level of his performances for The Red Dragons, I had to include Mullin as the sole Wrexham representative in this side. I can’t not include a player from a team that finished on 111 points.

It is perhaps not surprising that Mullin features in this XI despite only a 2-year cameo, but Mullin was a 32-goal striker in League Two prior to his move into the National League. And, he most definitely picked up the fifth tier where he left off in the EFL; scoring goals for breakfast, lunch and dinner.

His 26-goal haul in 38 games for Wrexham in the 2021-22 campaign was hugely impressive, but his 38 goals in 46 games in the following season was the like of which only Ricky Miller has been able to produce before. And, it wasn’t just the volume of the goals he scored, but the importance of them with some big game-winning goals.

On the surface, his goal-record is enough to put him in consideration for this team, but in truth that doesn’t tell the full story of Mullin’s game. He was the go-to man for big occasions, often turning up in the big games and winning a lot of points almost by himself.

Michael Cheek
Teams during period: Braintree Town, Dagenham and Redbridge, Ebbsfleet United, Bromley

Michael Cheek has always been a safe bet for a goal, and I have to include him purely for the body of work that he has produced.

I am just going to read out his stats in front of goal; 15, 19, 13, 16, 13, 23, 17, 17, 19. That’s not the latest lottery numbers, but is in fact his goal-return; I mean, just look at the consistency and sheer volume of goals.

His earliest recognition in the fifth tier as a goal-scorer came with Braintree Town under Danny Cowley, in which he helped them upset the odds to finish in the National League play-offs. He scored 15 goals in the 2015-16 season as they finished in third, before going one better with 19 goals the following year as The Iron were relegated.

He would spend a single season with Dagenham and Redbridge, but would show his quality in front of goal once more with 13 goals to his name. He would also go and spend a single season at fellow National League side Ebbsfleet United, in which he scored a slightly higher tally of 16 goals.

The bulk of Cheek’s work has come at Bromley, where he has now spent five seasons. Only one season (his first in 2019-20) has seen him get below 17 goals in a single season, and has allowed Bromley to be a constant threat at the top end of the division in terms of challenging for promotion.

In my opinion, he has been the best striker that the National League has ever seen in terms of longevity and consistency. To have racked up the numbers that he has is astonishing, and provides the perfect argument for anyone who is perhaps not sold on the striker. A record that every other striker would envy, and he was an easy pick.

Paul McCallum
Teams during period: Eastleigh, Solihull Moors, Barnet, Dagenham and Redbridge, Chesterfield, Eastleigh

The final player on this list – who else? Mr ‘Goal Getter’ himself – Paul McCallum. If there has been one player during this period who has been almost a guarantee for getting goals, it has been Paul McCallum; the man lives and breaths goals, and I had to include him in this team.

After spells in League Two, Paul McCallum dropped down into the National League and first tasted success in front of goal with Eastleigh in his first spell at the club. McCallum scored eight goals in 26 appearances in the 2016-17 season to help propel Eastleigh into middle of the road; an early indicator of the importance of the forward in terms of allowing sides to finish higher than their collective efforts.

The following year with The Spitfires, his tally of 27 goals in 41 games was enough to see Eastleigh finish in the National League play-offs. They lost out to Salford City, but nevertheless it was an impressive campaign and one that only rubber-stamped reputation for being a prolific marksmen.

He went and signed for Solihull Moors for what would be the COVID-hampered season, but he still managed to help himself to 8 goals in 21 games during that season. He would also have a successful loan spell with Barnet, scoring four in five.

After a spell with Solihull Moors, Paul McCallum went and returned down South and it was here that he really showed his prowess in front of goal. Back-to-back seasons with Dagenham and Redbridge saw him get into double figures, scoring a combined 34 league goals. He would score only five in the third season as a Dagger, but bowed out on his time with them with a combined 46 in all competitions.

A spell at Chesterfield would be one in which he would play somewhat of a low-key role, albeit still finding a way to score five goals as predominantly a second choice player. It is, however, back at Eastleigh – where he is now – where the forward has found his best form once more, scoring 30 goals in 33 games as it stands.

He has been the one player who you can say is constantly always in the scoring charts and while he may not be the most complete of forwards in terms of all-round games, there is no denying his ability to score; very few have done it better than he has.

Notable Omissions

Mark Cousins, Steve McNulty, Sean Raggett, Sam Habergham, Alex Woodyard, Asa Hall, Liam Noble, Matt Robinson, Ryan Croasdale, Danny Wright, Corey Whitely, Inih Effiong, Amari Morgan-Smith, Lenell John-Lewis, Jack Muldoon