Vanarama National League Ones To Watch: Part Two

We asked Joe Pope, founder of Off The Line blog to assess the players you should be keeping an eye on next season.

Vanarama National League – Bailey Hobson (Chesterfield)
Chesterfield have got their summer business underway with the capture of Bailey Hobson from Alfreton Town, and in that they have managed to secure the services of one of the brightest young prospects in the National League system.

Part of an Alfreton Town side that are far from blessed in an attacking sense, Hobson has had to burden greater responsibility as one of, if not the leading attacking lights under Billy Heath. Hobson has developed a reputation as an energetic, advanced midfielder with an eye for goal, scoring seven in 46 last term in helping Town finish in the play-offs. The season previous he hit 11 in 40 appearances for Alfreton Town.

Despite being only 20 years of age, Hobson has demonstrated a real maturity well beyond his years in making clever runs from deep, picking up intelligent positions in and around the box.

The sheer number of games that Hobson has got through in the last two campaigns despite playing for the majority of it as a teenager just highlights how highly he is held in regard as a dependable young talent, and having shown so much already in the infant stages of his career, Hobson is sure to go on and achieve great things.

He signs for The Spireites, and will provide Paul Cook’s side with an extra attacking force in behind the striker in addition to the options they already have. Hobson’s youthful exuberance, work-rate and unrelenting running will make The Spireites an even more dangerous outfit than they already are. And, having shown the promise to make the step up with Alfreton Town in the last years, he now does it in his own right.

Vanarama National League North – Eoin McKeown (Buxton)
At the start of writing, forward Eoin McKeown was a Tamworth player. However, such has been the heightened interest in the forward from a breakthrough spell last year, fellow National League North outfit Buxton have moved quickly to secure his services; what a move that could prove to be.

McKeown played a central role for Tamworth last term as they won the division and secured promotion to the National League North, leading the line well alongside fellow sharp-shooter Dan Creaney.

McKeown is many years the junior of his former strike partner, but showed a similar level of composure, craft and intelligence in the final third owing to a striker capable of playing higher.

At the age of 24, it looks as if after being let go by Colchester United and spending years floating around various loan and short-term destinations in non-league, the metaphorical switch has finally clicked in his game and he has benefitted off the back of it.

He is a player that I have featured on my blog before as a player with superb potential, and in terms of the skillsets which you are looking for in a striker that can succeed at the level and play higher, he most definitely ticks the boxes.

McKeown is a good go-between of the more direct and athletic types, with a decent frame, is a superb athlete with pace and power, has the athleticism to his game to press from the front and is a threat in both boxes. Strong in the air, he is physically a real powerhouse and aggressive in the way he applies himself.

Capable of receiving the ball into feet or on his chest on the run, he is a joy to watch and will no doubt flourish at National League North level like he did at the level below.

Vanarama National League South – Ben Brookes (Chelmsford City)
A signing that went somewhat under the radar for the Clarets from Hashtag United, it is fair to say that Brookes has been a breath of fresh air for Robbie Simpson’s side and a constant as they qualified for the National League South play-offs last season; you certainly wouldn’t have thought it was his first season with a contract.

Only 22 years of age, he has excelled for The Clarets as he did for his predecessors Hashtag United, making the step up to sixth tier football seamlessly.

Predominantly a left-back, but equally adept at playing wide midfield, Brookes is a player comfortable in possession – with good technical quality, a wand of a left foot and the vision and range in his passing – and has provided good end product for City; racking up the assists as a key creative source from deep.

He may only be slight in physique, but more than packs a punch with the quality of delivery. Having made the step up to Chelmsford City, he has shown real development in his game to improve the tactical side to his game to allow his overwhelming technical competencies to flourish. A decent dribbler that is a forward-thinking player, Brookes has provided the ball-playing qualities in an otherwise quite robust and physical Clarets side.

Brookes is a player that encapsulates everything which boss Robbie Simpson stands for, making clever additions to his squad with hungry, young professionals and giving them the chance to progress their career; and, it is fair to say that he has done just that during his time with The Clarets so far.

I expect him to continue his rise this term and firmly establish himself as one of the best up-and-coming talents the division has to offer.