Newcastle United boss Alan Pardew's gamble on Bognor Regis striker Jason Prior is no surprise.

Pardew is not afraid to dip into non-League clubs in his search for talent. In his time in charge of Southampton, he signed Aaron Martin from Eastleigh, and retains strong scouting links in the area.

Prior, signed from Portsmouth-based side Moneyfields in 2009, would not be the first player to make such a leap up the football food chain.

Wolves winger Michael Kightly played for England Under-21s six months after leaving Grays, while Chris Smalling bridged the gap from Maidstone to Fulham before joining Manchester United.