DJ Campbell insists non-league players are capable of making the grade in the top flight, and he his proof it is possible. The 28-year-old completed a deadline day switch to Blackpool from Leicester and crowned his debut against Newcastle with a goal more associated with a seasoned Premier League striker.
Former England internationals Les Ferdinand and Ian Wright also learnt their trade in non-league, and the Blackpool striker maintains he will not be the last to be discovered.
"I think that those guys and people like me are still around in the non-league," Campbell told skysports.com.
"There are unpolished diamonds to be found there and some managers still go looking for players there regularly and take chances on them.
"It's down to the managers and scouts to put in the work because they will get their rewards - I can tell you that there are gems out there."
Campbell played an integral role in the Tangerines' promotion last term as he netted 11 goals, and now repaying the faith of Ian Holloway is paramount in his mind.
He added: "I had two loan spells here last season and I just remember how good the people were too me, in particular Ian Holloway.
"He took a chance on me and showed belief in me when people might have told him not too.
"But I also came back because I wanted to finish what we started here, it's a job that is not finished yet - so that's the challenge."
