Now that the dust has settled on yet another thrilling National League campaign, it seems like a good time to look at the players who caused the divisions’ defences the most issues in 2024/25.
Here are the most prolific players in the fifth tier during the campaign:
(Goals scored in the play-offs are included.)
Ollie Pearce (York City, 31 goals scored in 46 appearances)
The experienced striker was in deadly form in his debut campaign in the National League, not only firing home 31 goals in the fifth-tier, but also picking up 10 assists, which was a tally bettered only by Gateshead’s Regan Booty.
Pearce’s goal contributions were a significant factor in the striker winning the National League Player of the Year award. The 29-year-old had also won the Player of the Year award in the previous season, playing for Worthing in the National League South, when he scored 41 goals in all competitions.
Regan Linney (Altrincham, 23 goals scored in 42 appearances)
The 28-year-old enjoyed a season to remember in front of goal for Altrincham, as he fired home 23 goals and produced seven assists in the fifth tier. The campaign was Linney’s most prolific of his career, although last season he scored a respectable 13 goals in the National League.
The versatile forward won’t be plying his trade with Altrincham in season 2025/26, as he caught the eye of newly-relegated Carlisle United, who snapped him up for an undisclosed fee.
Nick Haughton (AFC Fylde, 19 goals scored in 45 appearances)
The attacking midfielder enjoyed another fruitful campaign in front of goal, scoring 19 times and producing ten assists. Like the two players who outscored him in the fifth-tier, Haughton was voted into the National League Team of the Year for his contribution to Fylde’s season.
🥁 Introducing the Vanarama National League Team of the Season…
Have the clubs missed anyone? 🤷#TheVanarama
— Enterprise National League (@NL_Enterprise) May 30, 2025
Unfortunately for the 30-year-old, his excellent performances and numbers couldn’t prevent his team from suffering relegation to National League North for next season.
Haughton has proven to be prolific in the sixth tier in the past, having scored 52 goals in total in seasons 2021/22 and 2022/23. He could be key in helping the north-west outfit back to the National League next season.
Dan Creaney (Tamworth, 19 goals scored in 42 appearances)
The 30-year-old forward was in good form in front of goal for Tamworth, firing home 19 goals and producing five assists in 42 National League appearances.
Creaney scored nine goals in the National League North in season 2023/24 to help the Midlands outfit to promotion to the fifth tier of the English game.
The forward won’t be helping Tamworth’s cause in season 2025/26, though, as he has joined fellow National League outfit Solihull Moors ahead of the new campaign.
Devante Rodney (Rochdale, 19 goals scored in 36 appearances)
The winger was prolific, scoring 19 times in 36 appearances for Dale, as the north west outfit qualified for the promotion play-offs. Unfortunately, his team suffered an exit in the eliminators of the play-offs.
The campaign was the most prolific of Rodney’s career. His previous best goal tally came when he hit 11 goals in the 2020/21 and 2022/23 seasons, both campaigns being in League Two.
Mike Fondop-Talom (Oldham Athletic, 18 goals scored in 48 appearances)
The Cameroon-born forward’s 18 goals and seven assists helped the Latics to not only qualify for the play-offs, but to win promotion back to the EFL by winning the final.
Like many players on our list, the 2024/25 season was the most prolific of Fondop-Talom’s career. The 31-year-old’s reward for his contribution is a return to League Two, where he enjoyed a short stint earlier in his Latics career.
Will Davies (Sutton United, 18 goals scored in 44 appearances)
The forward joined Sutton United in 2024 from York City and fired home 18 goals in 44 National League appearances, while also producing six assists.
The versatile forward’s goal tally was by far the highest of his career in the fifth tier. However, he had previously scored half a century of goals in the Southern League Premier Division Central with Leiston Town.
After impressing with his goals and performances, Davies will be playing League Two football next season after securing a move to Fleetwood Town.
Callum Stead (Barnet, 18 goals scored in 44 appearances)
The 25-year-old’s 18 goals and seven assists played a key role in Barnet’s return to the EFL via winning the National League title. Stead’s contribution not only helped the Bees win promotion, but also earned the forward a place in the National League Team of the season.
Stead has been in decent goalscoring form in recent seasons, having scored 15 National League goals in season 2023/24 and 13 in the National League North in the previous campaign. He will get his first chance to play EFL football in season 2025/26.