The Four England Stars Who Played In The National League

Four of England's squad preparing to take on Spain in Sunday's final have featured in the National League in their careers.

Ollie Watkins stole the headlines on Wednesday with his last-gasp winner to book the Three Lions' place - but he's not the only one with a National League back story to tell.

Three more of Gareth Southgate's squad also cut their teeth with National League sides.

Dean Henderson
The Crystal Palace keeper once said playing in the National League was 'harder than playing in the Premier League'.

Speaking in an interview with his then club Manchester United, Henderson said his appearances in the National League helped him learn more about football than he had done before.

His nine appearances for Stockport County - then in the National League North - sparked a string of loan moves from the Red Devils.

He made his debut against Nuneaton in 2016 before going on to make another eight appearances - keeping three clean sheets.

During his loan spell, Henderson actually briefly returned to Manchester United as cover for Sergio Romero as Louis Van Gaal's side overcame an injury crisis to beat Shrewsbury Town in the FA Cup.

Jordan Pickford
Turning out for two National League clubs between 2011 and 2013, the Three Lions' number one made 29 appearances in the National League.

Starting out in his hometown side Sunderland's academy, Pickford signed on loan at Darlington initially for a month and made his debut for the Quakers in 2012 - going on to make 17 appearances.

The following season Alfreton Town came calling for Pickford.

Town were short between the sticks following an injury to Phil Barnes which had seen them close out a 3-1 loss to Kidderminster Harriers with defender Leigh Franks in goal.

Pickford - then an England Under-19 international - made his debut in a win over Hyde United before going on to make 12 appearances for Nicky Law's side, keeping five clean sheets.

Ollie Watkins
The man of the moment made a big impression at National League South Weston-super-Mare less than a decade ago.

After making a handful of appearances at Exeter City, Watkins was loaned out to the Seagulls in early December 2014.

His loan was extended multiple times as he spent the rest of the season at the club - eventually clocking 10 goals in 24 appearances.

A rapid rise then on took him to Brentford two years later before Aston Villa came calling in 2020.

Jarrod Bowen
Born and bred in the Herefordshire market town of Leominster, Jarrod Bowen started his footballing life at Hereford - then in the National League.

Peter Beadle was the man who handed a 17-year-old Bowen his debut for the Bulls - scoring his first senior goal in a 3-2 win over Alfreton Town a month later.

That would be his only goal for Beadle's side in eight appearances for the young winger who got his big move to Premier League Hull City that summer.

Bowen - who went on to impress for the Tigers before a big-money move to West Ham United in 2020 - was pictured as a youngster watching Hereford in the Meadow End at Edgar Street.