Posh Boys! Peterborough's National League Stars That Shone

Quite simply, their business model is a fantastic one - they pluck talented players from the Non-League game, give them their opportunity to shine and reap the benefits.

It’s a production like that is the envy of many in the upper echelons of the game and it’s steered by Barry Fry and the club’s army of talent spotters, the shop window to London Road is a well worn path.

So who are the main success stories of Peterborough’s pledge to buff the diamonds of the lower leagues and set them on their way to stardom?

We pick out the players who have played in the Conference divisions or for a club currently in the National League set up who have done us proud!

Aaron McLean (Grays)
An easy selection of Posh’s best picks. McLean - still going strong at the tender age of 34 in the National League with Ebbsfleet - took his big chance with both hands. When Peterborough offered Grays what they needed for the striker back in 2007, it wasn’t long before he was banging in the goals in League One and Hull City came calling. Going on to play and score in the Premier League, he is a well respected graduate.

George Boyd (Stevenage)
After five years in Non-League with Stevenage, he was deservedly given his chance to flourish in 2007. And flourish he did - going on to play for not only Hull City in the top flight, but Burnley too. Can he make it three by taking Sheffield Wednesday up this year?

Dwight Gayle (Dagenham)
How about a profit of 550 per cent on a player who has played less than a season for you? Why not! Although a Football League striker when snapped up, Gayle played in the National League South with Bishop’s Stortford. After being scouted at Stansted in Step 5, he made it to the top. Crystal Palace paid £6.5m for his services and Newcastle United reportedly £10m from the Eagles.

Connor Washington (Newport County)
Peterborough turned their £150,000 2012 into a near profit of £2.5m within a year and a half. QPR stumped up the cash for the talented forward, whose performances for Newport County couldn’t be ignored. Injury has hampered his time at Loftus Road but Rangers knows there’s more to come.

Britt Assombalonga (Wealdstone and Braintree)
Those who say getting game time in Non-League football is a big plus must look at this man to back up their point. With no sign of first team action for Watford, Assombalonga laced up his boots for Wealdstone in 2011 before heading to Braintree in 2012. Some 11 months after signing for the Posh he went to Nottingham Forest for £5.5m. Now a £14m player with Middlesbrough. Kerching!

Lee Tomlin (Rushden)
A snip at £225,000, Peterborough didn’t regret writing Rushden a cheque back in 2010. The dazzling attacking midfielder has earned the club that back and then some - going to Middlesbrough for £1.35m and then a handsome sell on when he eventually went to Bournemouth for nearly £4m some years later.

Craig Mackail-Smith (Dagenham)
It was ten years ago when deal broker Fry made his move for the Daggers forward. He went on to star for Brighton, earning Peterborough a cool £2m profit - plus a kick back when he went to Luton Town a few years later.