Jamie Vardy's rags to riches tale is an extraordinary example of the talent waiting to be unearthed below the Premier League and Football League.
Vardy's remarkable rise from Stocksbridge Park Steels to the England squad has put the microscope back on the non-league game with clubs hoping to find their own rough diamond and polish them into a valuable asset.
Few can dream of matching Vardy's record-breaking achievements but the National League is home to numerous exciting prospects with the attributes to carve out successful professional careers.
Earlier this month Chester FC manager Steve Burr admitted he was preparing himself for interest in Ben Heneghan when the transfer window opens.
There's been a steady stream of scouts charting the development of the defender, who has been in outstanding form in recent weeks, and he makes our list of 10 players who have what it takes to make the step up. We've excluded players on loan from Football League clubs and those who have dropped into non-league in the past 12 months.
Agree with our selection? Think we've missed someone? Let us know on Twitter via @ChesterFC_Chron.
Ben Heneghan (Chester)
The tall defender came of age last season, arriving as an unknown but going on to win the player of the year award at the end of the campaign.
His natural attributes make him well equipped in the air and his pace and relative poise mean he's no slouch on the floor. A number of clubs in Scotland have sent scouts to watch the 22-year-old who, after a slow start to the current season, has been in excellent form over the past month or so.
Elliott Frear (Forest Green Rovers)
The talented winger has caused the Blues no end of problems over the past couple of seasons and has the pace, skill and class to return to the Football League.
Capable of scoring goals as well as creating them, the 25-year-old was with Exeter City until 2013 and his displays for Rovers have made him a regular in the England C squad.
Jai Reason (Eastleigh)
The 25-year-old attacking midfielder, who began his career with Ipswich Town, has been instrumental in Eastleigh's success since moving to Hampshire in summer 2013.
He picked up Football League experience with both Cambridge United and Crawley, but now looks to be more settled in himself and capable of stepping back into the professional ranks.
James McKeown (Grimsby Town)
Consistently impressive, the 26-year-old custodian has been at Blundell Park since summer 2011 and will hope to get back into the Football League with the Mariners.
He had spells with Walsall and Peterborough United earlier in his career and the Birmingham-born keeper's displays between the sticks for Grismby have regularly attracted interest from elsewhere.
John Goddard (Woking)
The 22-year-old has been a standout for the Cards this term and scored in both meetings with Chester. He came through the ranks at Reading but moved to Woking in 2013.
The left-footer, who has 11 goals this season, is a real creative force in midfield and has been linked with a move to Portsmouth in the past.
Kristian Dennis (Macclesfield Town)
The forward, who is on loan at Moss Rose from Stockport County, tops the division's scoring charts with 17 goals already. The 25-year-old did make a handful of Football League appearances in his first spell with Macc before dropping into non-league.
His exploits have sparked interest from Football League clubs and while Stockport would welcome bids, the terms of his loan deal mean the Silkmen would have to agree.
Moses Emmanuel (Bromley)
Leeds United head the list of clubs rumoured to be watching the 26-year-old forward, who has netted 16 league goals this season.
An explosive finisher with electric pace, Emmanuel has Football League experience from an 18-month stint at Brentford between 2008 and 2010, and Ravens boss Mark Goldberg thinks it's 'inevitable' bigger clubs will come calling.
Sam Corne (Welling United)
The precocious midfielder scored a stunning goal against Tranmere Rovers earlier in the season and looks destined for a move into the Football League.
Previously on the books of Cambridge United, the 19-year-old's performances have reportedly drawn interest from Premier League big boys Chelsea and the Wings could look to cash in on Corne next month.
Sean Raggett (Dover Athletic)
Once compared to Chris Smalling, the towering defender, who is comfortable on the deck as well as in the air, has been in exceptional form for Chris Kinnear's side this season.
Peterborough United, Millwall and Gillingham, where he failed to make the grade as a youngster, are rumoured to be interested in the 22-year-old, who has represented England C.
Simeon Akinola (Braintree Town)
The 23-year-old forward can be a real handful defences and his performances since arriving from Harrow Borough last summer earned him a call up to England C squad.
He's big, strong and mobile, and although a hamstring problem has hampered his progress, his match-winning performance against Tranmere Rovers underlines his raw potential.
