They Played in the Southern Football League

Featuring players who spent some of their careers in the Southern League.

In 1975 Barnet were relegated back to the Southern League Division One but two years later they won the championship and returned to the Southern League Premier.

It was during this period under that many famous names played for the club including former Spurs and England star Jimmy Greaves, ex-Arsenal and England full-back Bob McNab, one-time Queens Park Rangers and Arsenal centre-half Terry Mancini and Marvin Hinton.

Hinton signed for Barnet in 1976 – just ten years after being announced in Alf Ramsey`s provisional 40-man squad for the 1966 World Cup, although he was never able to add a full cap to his three as an under-23 international.

He had enjoyed a terrific career as a professional with Charlton Athletic, where he started out, making 131 appearances from 1958 until being signed by Tommy Docherty for Chelsea in August 1963 for £30,000 – a decent fee back then.

He was a part of the successful Blues side of the 1960s and early 70s, playing alongside the likes of Ron Harris, Peter Osgood, Charlie Cooke, Alan Hudson and John Hollins.

He appeared in European Cup Winners` Cup and two FA Cup Finals, being runners-up in 1967 and then a winners` medal in that infamous 1970 replayed final against Leeds United.

In all, he made 344 appearances for Chelsea between 1963 and 1976, scoring 4 goals.

After thirteen years at Stamford Bridge, he spent two seasons at Barnet, winning a championship medal in his first season there.

Two seasons followed at Southern League Crawley Town under John Maggs, before making the switch to Isthmian League Division Two outfit Horsham at the beginning of the 1980/81 season.

He went on to become a regular fixture in the side and later become assistant manager.

He later as ran his own office removals business until he was involved in car crash near his home in Crawley.

Ricky George was the man who scored the often-forgotten winning goal for Southern League Hereford United in that famous 1971/72 FA Cup tie against Newcastle United.

Ronnie Radford`s piledrive is the one that is always pulled out of the archives when that game is mentioned or when the Third Round comes along, but it was substitute George who clinched the giant-killing in the end.

George began his footballing career as an apprentice with Tottenham Hotspur in 1961 at a time when Spurs were at the height of their powers having won the League and FA Cup `double`.

He signed professional terms at White Hart Lane and then had spells at Watford, Bournemouth and Oxford United before joining Hastings United in the Southern League where he first teamed up with Billy Meadows.

They became firm friends, notwithstanding the fact that they travelled to games together from their homes in North London.

When Hastings ran into financial troubles in 1968 the whole squad were given free transfers. The then-Barnet manager Dexter Adams was never one to miss out on quality and George soon joined Southern League Premier Barnet, describing them as the best team he ever played in.

In February 1971 after three eventful years and nearly 150 appearances and 36 goals, George left Undershill and joined Hereford, then managed by Welsh legend John Charles.

His pal Billy Meadows had signed a deal at Hereford in the previous closed season.

After the cup successes, George returned to Underhill as a player by Christmas 1972 when Hereford were elected to the Football League as he didn’t want to return to being a full-time player as he was enjoying a successful career as a journalist.

George’s second spell at Barnet amounted to a further two and half years until the Autumn of 1975 when he joined Cambridge City and then Boreham Wood before returning briefly to Underhill for a "swan song" in August 1976.

His final game in amber and black was 6th November 1976 as substitute in a 4-0 home win over Andover.

He then retired from playing, although turned out for a couple of seasons with East Barnet Old Grammarians.

He started and ran a successful sportswear business travelling the world until 1992 when along with five others he bought a share in a racehorse called Earth Summit.

In April 1998 it famously won the Grand National at odds of 7/1.

However, in August 2018 he was imprisoned for two years for money laundering.

Robbie Stepney played for both Horsham and Redhill as an amateur and whilst on National Service with the RAF before coming to the attention of Aldershot manager Harry Evans.

He was offered professional status in September 1958 and scored an opportunist hat-trick against Gateshead in the Shots record league 8-1 victory, but gradually he developed into a midfield player with an attacking role.

During his time with Aldershot, he played in every position, including goalkeeper and in seven seasons made 213 League appearances, scoring 35 goals.

He suffered cartilage trouble late in his career with the Shots and when released in the summer of 1965 joined Southern League Dartford.

He coached and managed at that level with the likes of Maidstone United, Horsham YMCA and then moved on to Tottenham Hotspur where he held various positions including reserve team manager during the early 1980's.

He then coached abroad in the Middle East and in Sweden, where he made his home and worked for Karlslunds IF, IFK Osterlund and Osterlunds FK until passing away in March 2019.

Freddie Easthall was a real non-League character.

A former Norwich City apprentice, he was released by the Canaries without being offered a professional contract.

He signed for his home-town club King`s Lynn in 1974 and began attracting attention for his performances in the Southern League Division One North.

It was the recently appointed manager of Southern Premier Division club Kettering Town, Mick Jones, who took a punt on the player who could play full back or as a wide midfielder in 1977/78.

He went on to help the Poppies reach the 1978/79 FA Trophy Final at Wembley where they were beaten by Stafford Rangers.

After Mick Jones left for Mansfield Town, Easthall returned to King`s Lynn.

He left to play for neighbours Wisbech Town before becoming player-manager of Anglia Combination side Watton United.

He returned to King`s Lynn once again in October 1985, this time as player-manager until March 1987 when he handed over the reins to Keith Rudd but stayed on as a player for a few more seasons before retiring.

Ray Dean was on Reading`s books as an apprentice before signing as a professional in May 1966.

He appeared in the Royals first team during the following two seasons, making 54 appearances.

In July 1969 he signed for Aldershot, making his debut on the opening day of the 1969/70 season.

He remained with the Shots for six seasons during which time he appeared on 256 occasions, being ever-present for three consecutive seasons between 1970 and 1973.

A strong, reliable defender he was to conjure up a fine rapport with the home supporters who appreciated his genuine contribution to the team.

He was released in the summer of 1975, joining Southern League Margate.

Now believed to be a plasterer in Fleet.

Barrie Thomas represented Wales at youth international level and briefly appeared for Swansea City during the 1971/72 campaign.

He impressed as an amateur in the reserves before making his Football League debut in a 1-0 defeat at home to Blackburn Rovers in April 1972, also playing in that month's 1-1 draw against Plymouth.

Studying a history degree at Oxford University, he captained varsity team and had a spell with home-town Southern League side Merthyr Tydfil, where he once had the `honour` of being replaced by substitute John Charles, the Welsh footballing legend, before coaching football and PE in Jamaica.

He joined Fourth Division AFC Bournemouth in August 1979 and then returned to Southern League football with Dorchester and Poole Town before hanging up his boots.

Midfielder or winger Peter Coffilljoined Watford in 1973, turning professional at 17 and making his Football League debut a year later against Stockport County.

In all he spent four years at Vicarage Road, making some 70 appearances for the Hornets and scoring 10 goals before moving South West to Torquay United for a fee of £5,000.

Four enjoyable seasons were spent at Plainmoor where he notched up 122 first-team games and added another 30 goals to his tally.

In 1980/81 season the Gulls fans voted him their player of the year.

However, at the end of that campaign, Torquay sold him to Northampton Town for a similar £5,000 fee, and in the two seasons, was virtually ever-present for the Cobblers, making 75 appearances and netting a further 5 goals.

Following his release by Northampton in 1983 he signed for Southern League Midland Division side Aylesbury United.

He played just over 100 times for the Ducks and helped them to promotion to the Premier Division.

After a short spell with Kidderminster Harriers, Coffill became involved with the coaching side of the game, firstly with Southern Premier Division side Chelmsford City in 1988, and after finishing his semi-professional playing career with Brantham Athletic and Bury Town, became assistant manager with then-Southern Premier Division Gravesend & Northfleet in 1991.

Left winger Dave Puttnam began his playing days with then- Leicestershire Senior League side Kirby Muxloe.

He then joined Southern League neighbours Leicester United in 1985.

He went on trial with Leicester City and impressed then-manager David Pleat, who signed him in February 1989.

After making just 4 starts and 4 substitute appearances for his home-town club, he was sold to Lincoln City in January 1990 for a £40,000 fee after turning down a move to Carlisle United.

He had impressed the Imps supporters and management during a two-month loan spell at Sincil Bank.

Due to his trickery and ability to beat players he was always favourite amongst the fans and was named player of the season in 1992/93.

However, the next two seasons were disrupted by a succession of injuries and he wasn’t able to achieve his full potential.

In his last full season (1994/95) he made just 11 league and cup starts, but still managed to score 4 goals.

He scored on the opening day of the 1995/96 season as City ran out 2-1 winners at Preston North End, but by the end of September he had been allowed to move to Gillingham for £50,000.

With the Gills, he was often used from the bench, making 15 starts in total in two seasons, but came on 25 times and scored 2 goals.

He also went out on loan to Yeovil Town whilst with Gillingham and helped the Glovers to win the Isthmian League title.

He briefly played for Swansea City at the start of the 1997/98 campaign, making 4 appearances, and then moved to Southern League Premier Division side Gresley Rovers in December 1997.

He played only 7 times for the Moatmen and then spent three seasons with rivals King`s Lynn.

He then had spells in the Midland Alliance with Barwell, Coalville Town and Quorn and then spent the 2004/05 and 2005/06 seasons playing for Ratby Sports in the Leicestershire Senior League and finished playing at the age of 40.

Jose Gallego was a Spaniard who fled to England as a refugee in 1937 during the Spanish Civil War.

He arrived in England as a 14-year-old, his father and sister having already been killed during the war.

His mother put him along with his three other sisters and his younger brother, Antonio, on a boat to escape the troubles.

The family settled in Cambridge where he first played football with Cambridge Town, then in the Southern Amateur League and before the change of name to `City`, in 1942.

In 1945, he was joined by Antonio in the Cambridge City side who went on to have a short career as goalkeeper of Norwich City.

In January 1947, José moved to Brentford, then in the Football League Second Division, where he stayed for a season and a half, making 6 League appearances.

He followed this with short spells at Southampton and Colchester United, making only a handful of appearances for both, before returning to Cambridge where he played part-time for Cambridge United in the Southern League until 1957.

After retiring, he spent 30 years as a gas meter inspector in Cambridge, playing grassroots football into his 50s.

Marc Seager enjoyed a good career in non-League football as a player, then as a manager.

Seager, who could play in either midfield or at the back, was spotted playing Sunday league football for Teynham.

He was signed by Southern League side Sittingbourne in the summer of 1995 and proved to be an excellent recruit.

He made an immediate impact in the first team and scored 11 goals from midfield in his first season at the higher level.

He played a major part in Sittingbourne's promotion to the Southern Premier Division in the 1996/97 season and his stamina and skilful distribution made him an asset.

However, Seager`s greatest day as a player came after leaving `Bourne for Kent League side Deal Town.

Under the guidance of the man who was a major influence on his future career, Tommy Sampson, Seager helped Deal to win the FA Vase by beating favourites Chippenham Town 1-0 in the last final at the `old` Wembley.

Seager eventually returned to Sittingbourne following a spell with Ashford Town a year after the Vase triumph and in 2006, he stepped up from being assistant manager to Matt Toms at Whitstable Town to become the Kent League outfits new manager.

And he delivered the Kent League title to The Belmont for the very first time in the club’s 122-year history, during his first full season at the helm.

Seager won his first piece of silverware as manager when his side defeated Bearsted, courtesy of Marlon Button’s 67th minute goal, to lift the Kent Senior Trophy at Dartford’s Princes Park Stadium.

And they clinched the Kent League title when VCD Athletic were held to a surprise 1-1 draw by strugglers Tunbridge Wells at Culverden Stadium during the last week of the season.

But their `treble` dream was dashed by Thamesmead Town, who won the Kent League Cup final 3-0 at Folkestone Invicta.

But in April 2009, Seager decided to quit as manager of Isthmian League club Whitstable Town to take a break away from football to spend more time with his young family.

Seager guided the club to 50 points in both of their Isthmian Division One South campaigns on budgets that could be best described as a `shoestring`.

In the 44 months that Seager was in charge of the Oystermen they won the Kent League and, with it, promotion to the Isthmian League for the first time in the club's history; three pieces of silverware; two cup finals and this season secured their place in the Isthmian League for a third season.

Having been out of football since leaving Whitstable, Seager did return to Sittingbourne to help out as caretaker manager in March 2012 but refused the opportunity to make it a permanent comeback.

Charlie Rundle was a centre or inside forward, who spent five seasons at Tottenham Hotspur immediately after the Second World War, netting a dozen goals in 32 senior outings, including one on his Football League debut.

It was whilst he was playing for the Navy Representative XI that he came to Spurs` attention in February 1946 and was signed as an amateur, being added to the full-time staff within a matter of weeks.

Born in St Blazey, Cornwall, Rundle worked as a clerk on the railway at Fowey prior to the war and played for his home-town club, then in local Cornish leagues.

He served in the Navy during the War and it was during a naval representative game that he was spotted by a Spurs scout and offered to sign amateur terms.

He did so in February 1946 after being demobbed and featured in the Spurs `A` team on a couple of occasions prior to signing as a full professional at the end of February.

His first taste of senior action was in a friendly match versus Chelsea in March and by the end of the month he had appeared in the Football League South – the temporary competition formed for the transitional 1945/46 campaign.

In September 1946, Rundle made his Second Division debut, scoring one of the goals in a 2-1 home win over Southampton.

He scored a further 9 goals in 17 games that season, mainly from centre forward, but found opportunities limited over the next couple of years and made the last of his 28 Football League appearances for Spurs in March 1949 against Queens Park Rangers.

He spent the remainder of his time at Tottenham in their reserve and `A` teams, netting 22 goals in 80 games for the second and third XI’s.

He moved on to Crystal Palace in June 1950 and during his two years there made 38 appearances in their Third Division South team, scoring 2 goals.

In August 1952, he joined Southern League club Tonbridge and later that season faced his former Spurs colleagues in the Metropolitan & District League Professional Clubs Cup final.

Tonbridge won the game 3-0 in April 1953, against a strong Spurs side.

Amongst the team-mates during his time at Tonbridge were several ex-Spurs including Harry Robshaw, Johnny Jordan, Les Stevens and Johnny Woodward.

Rundle took on the role of player-manager at Kent League club Betteshanger Colliery Welfare in February 1955 - a post which he held for two or three years.

On retiring from football, Rundle worked as a sports secretary to Fords of Dagenham and later served in a similar capacity to Thorn EMI.

He passed away back in his native Cornwall at Bodmin in June 1997, aged 74.

At one time in the late 1940s and early 1950s, Swansea Town had brothers Cyril and Gilbert Breech in their side. And both went on to play in the Southern League, albeit for difference teams.

Both actually started their playing careers with then-Welsh League side Merthyr Tydfil.

Described as a hard-working winger, Cyril Beech was the first to move to the Vetch Field for a £6,000 fee in August 1949 and was Swansea's leading marksman in 1949/50.

He netted 29 goals in 136 Second Division games for Swansea prior to joining Southern League side Worcester City in August 1954.

He then re-united with his former Swansea team-mate Billy Lucas, who was now managing Newport County, in July 1955.

He moved to Southern League Hereford United in March 1957 and later played for Merthyr again, Welsh League side Brecon Corinthians and Birmingham League outfit Brierley Hill.

He became a coach driver and died in Merthyr in May 2001, aged 76.

Older brother Gilbert was a left-back who starred as Merthyr won the Southern League and Cup 'double' in 1947/48 alongside Cyril, and then beat Swansea in the 1949 Welsh Cup final.

He followed Cyril to the Vetch Field for a £5,000 fee in November 1949 and was ever-present in two consecutive seasons and contested a first-team slot with Dai Thomas.

He netted 3 goals in 157 games for Swansea before re-joining Merthyr in July 1958.

He then re-united with his brother Cyril at Hereford United and also at Brecon Corinthians.

He outlived his younger brother by eight years, passing away in 2009, aged 86.

Bernie Wright was a typical centre-forward from the 1970s. He was big, very strong and bearded!

His career began with Birmingham City as a youngster before joining Midland Combination side Paget Rangers in 1971.

Local Third Division outfit Walsall spotted him, but after only 15 games and 2 goals for the Saddlers, was snapped up by Harry Catterick for First Division Everton in February 1972 having impressed the legendary boss in an FA Cup tie between the sides.

Wright left Everton and returned to Walsall where he became a firm favourite after scoring 38 goals in 162 games in his four years at Fellows Park.

He moved north to join Bradford City in 1976 but, despite finishing as top scorer with 10 goals in his first season, he was sold to Port Vale for a £9,000 fee in 1978 and after scoring his on his debut, he rapidly became a firm terrace favourite at Vale Park.

He then further cemented his reputation with a hat-trick against local rivals Crewe as he finished the season as the club’s player of the year and top scorer.

He started the next campaign in a similar goalscoring vein, but after falling out with new manager John McGrath, he left the club at the end of his second season after playing 76 times with 23 goals for Vale.

He then embarked on a fairly lengthy spell in non-League football, firstly joining then-Southern League Kidderminster Harriers, followed by two spells with Trowbridge Town, sandwiched by time at Cheltenham Town.

Later spells with Sutton Coldfield Town, Worcester City and Burton Albion followed.

After retiring from playing, he worked as a forklift operator before one final bizarre switch - the fearsome Wright promptly switched sides and became a part-time referee in the Warwickshire Sunday League!

Carlo Rossi was a striker who spent several years scoring goals in non-League football around the Midlands.

Definitely one who could be described as `well-travelled`, Rossi was born in Rome but came over to live in Birmingham with his family at a young age.

He began his playing career with Birmingham City as a youth before being released and joining Moor Green in their Midland Combination days.

After a brief time in the Northern Premier League with Macclesfield Town, Rossi joined Cheltenham Town and then Tividale before signing for Tamworth in 1981.

The Lambs were members of the Northern Premier League when he first moved to The Lamb, but he left after three seasons, playing 55 times and scoring 19 goals, when they had been switched to the Southern League.

He had two returns to Tamworth, sandwiched by periods with Burton Albion and Paget Rangers, and then signed for Southern League Premier Division side Bedworth United in 1985.

He continued his travels around the Midlands non-League scene with further spells at Oldbury United, Moor Green, Blakenall and Dudley Town.