Climax to countdown hours away ...

After thousands of votes and nominations from fans, clubs and members of the media for the Northern Premier League's legends over the course of the historic 50th anniversary 2017-18 season, the winner and the stars in second and third place will be unveiled at Blackpool's Hilton Hotel on Saturday night after the countdown kicked off on Monday.

Ten more NPL stars of the last five decades in descending order from 40 to 31 were revealed before 10am on the competition's official website and social media channels before the top 30 are named throughout Saturday in the run-up to the annual party for more than 400 guests on the Fylde coast.

Giant screens at the event, as well as the competition's social media channels broadcasting the celebrations live, will reveal the top seven players live on the night while clubs and players collect their accolades before EVO-STIK League chairman Mark Harris brings the week long countdown to a climax with the top three and a salute to all the legends.

Launched last September, the online poll to choose the top 100 players to feature in a specially commissioned book charting the NPL's proud history since 1968 captured the public’s imagination within hours of opening with more than 2,000 players nominated and thousands of votes subsequently cast.

NPL50 Top 100 Players
40 to 31 ...

40 Gary Ingham
As well as two spells in the Football League with Doncaster Rovers, the keeper played 123 times for Stalybridge Celtic over the course of five years, in doing so helping the club to win 210 points. Was a member of the club’s treble-winning squad in season 2000-01 which swept all before it to win the NPL, President’s Cup and Cheshire Senior Cup. Sadly, Gary passed away in 2012 aged 48 after playing for a host of other clubs including Belper Town, Bridlington Town, Frickley Athletic, Gainsborough Trinity, Goole, Leek Town, Maltby Main, Ossett Albion, Shepshed Charterhouse and Stocksbridge Park Steels.

39 Matt Lawlor
The experienced defender started his career at Blackpool before short loan spells at Leigh Genesis and Farsley Celtic while on Blackpool’s books. Became one of Fylde's longest-serving players upon joining the Coasters in the summer of 2008 following his release from Bloomfield Road. A leader and club captain, he made 110 appearances for AFC Fylde, scoring two goals and was a regular face in defence over three seasons, in doing so becoming a firm favourite with the Kellamergh Park faithful. Later moved on to Bamber Bridge in November 2011 following a short spell with West Lancashire League outfit Norcross & Warbreck.

38 Iain Howard
Started with Ashton in the 2007-8 season before moving to Chester during their reformation. Became an instant favourite with the fans during three seasons at the Deva while racking up 111 appearances – the third highest for the club – and scoring 35 goals. The attacking midfielder played a pivotal role in three successive promotions before moving to Stockport County and then Atherton Colleries during their NECFL conquering days. Also played for Nantwich Town and Witton Albion.

37 Andy Whittaker
Whittaker scored his first goal in the semi-pro game for Bamber Bridge at Irongate on October 13 1990 against Greater Manchester side Chadderton in the Second Division of the North West Counties League. It was to be the first of 387 strikes in a career that saw him become one of the most potent strikers in northern Non-League football during the 1990s. The hot-shot kicked off his career at Brig after arriving from district league football, slamming home no less than 50 goals in his first two years at the club - six of them coming in a single game, against Holker Old Boys, which is still a record at Irongate today. After joining Netherfield, two steps higher up the pyramid, at the beginning of the 1992-93 season, he was to enjoy two very rewarding seasons of NPL First Division football. After attracting the attention of Barrow and another 36 goals later, Billy Ayre brought the hot shot to Haig Avenue where he made 171 appearances for the Sandgrounders. Andy rejoined Bamber Bridge in the 1998-99 season, his second stint at Irongate yielding a further 73 goals in a three year stay before short spells back at Southport and at Parkside with Netherfield, by now renamed Kendal Town.

36 Grant Shenton
A member of the Ramsbottom side that shocked the NPL’s Division One North in 2014 when the Rams won the play-offs by beating heavily fancied Darlington and Bamber Bridge. A fans' favourite who holds the club’s appearance record, the keeper was a member of the side which won promotion to the NPL as NWCFL Champions. Joined the Rams from FC United and after his stint with Rammy before moving on to Ashton United and Trafford. Held in high regard throughout Non-League for his talents.

35 Kenny Lowe
Currently the head coach of Perth Glory FC in Australia’s A-League, the well-loved 56-year-old former midfielder was twice signed by Barry Fry for Barnet, including from Barrow for £40,000. Twice capped by the England C before moving to management, he kicked off his playing career at Hartlepool before moving on to Billingham Town, Gateshead, Barrow and Scarborough. Later played for Stoke and Birmingham City before returning to Darlington in 1995 and Gateshead until 1998 as player-manager.

34 Chris Camden forward
The huge, charismatic striker won three NPL championships in four years in the 1990s with Stalybridge and then two more with Marine. Known as The Buffalo and now 53, Camden had one glorious season at Stalybridge Celtic, almost single handedly keeping Celtic in the then Conference. Before Celtic, he came through the youth ranks at Poulton Victoria and on his release signed for Chester City where he made nine appearances and scored twice in his one season there. Between 1984 and 1986, he was at Oswestry Town before signing for Tranmere Rovers in 1986. A flury of clubs followed from 1988, Chorley, Rhyl, Ellesmere Port & Neston, South Liverpool and Stafford Rangers where he partnered a certain Stan Collymoore up front. After top scoring in 1989-90, he signed on for Macclesfield Town for a fee of £3000 but failed to fit in and was sent out to Leek Town on loan before joining Cheltenham Town. Celtic signed Chris from Cheltenham on his release where he scored nearly a goal a game during his season here, terrorising defences and earning a cult hero status and the league’s Golden Boot. After Celtic he joined Marine, where he was a regular scorer again in two spells sandwiched around a season at Witton Albion. After West Kirby in 1995, he returned to his home town club Poulton Victoria as player-manager. And he did all that while holding down a full time job as a worker at the Ellesmere Port Vauxhall factory!

33 David MacPherson
Born in Stoke-on-Trent and now 38 after kicking off his career on the books of Stoke City, the central midfielder moved into Non-League with Stones Dominoes. First joined Nantwich from Leek Town in January 2009 after serving the Blues for six years from 2001 before joining Hednesford Town in May 2007. After switching to Witton Albion in October 2007 for the first of three spells, he was snapped up by then Blue Square North Stafford Rangers for the start of the 2008-09 campaign. Macca, who passed the 300 appearances mark for Leek and scored 60 goals in the process, returned to Witton Albion as player-assistant coach in the 2010 before re-joining the Dabbers and then the Pitmen. A dynamic and energetic midfielder, the midfielder also collected two England caps with the England Futsal squad in Lithuania in November 2005.

32 Ross Hannah forward
Born in Sheffield, Hannah played youth football for Sheffield Wednesday and Sheffield United before beginning a Non-League career which saw him play for Worksop Town, Stocksbridge Park Steels, Gainsborough Trinity, Belper Town and Matlock Town. He turned professional in 2011 with Bradford City before loan spells at FC Halifax Town and Grimsby Town. At Matlock Town, he became a goal-machine, scoring over 100 goals in 130 appearances and topping the goalscorer charts for three seasons. Though it didn’t work out at the Bantams, Hannah later settled into life in the Conference with Grimsby, Chester and Barrow.

31 Jerome Wright
Signed by the Rebels in 2006 after suffering rejection at the age of 16 by Oldham Athletic, the left-sided defender is an FC United legend after making a total of 400 appearances and scoring 82 goals during the club’s rise to the National League. Moved on to Altrincham before returning to the EVO-STIK League in August with Ramsbottom United. Also spent a season at Chester in 2011-12 before returning to the Rebels.

Main image courtesy of Rob Lock

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