Ahead of Non-League Day on Saturday 12 October, we spoke to people in the Premier League who played or managed beneath the top four divisions of the English football pyramid.
Chris Wilder
Non-league football played a big part in the success of the Sheffield United manager.
Wilder gained valuable managerial experience in charge of Alfreton Town, Halifax Town and Oxford United before taking over at Sheffield United and leading them from League One to the Premier League.
The 52-year-old says principles he applied in non-league are still in practice at the top level of the English game.
"There's certain things that I did in that period, that I still do now," Wilder says.
"Certain attributes that I look for in a player, in a team that we set up, when we were looking to set up teams then.
"It was key and I'm proud and I'm delighted that I went through that process and that experience, of not only good stuff, but some bad stuff, to guard and learn from going forward."
Show your support on Non-League Day
You can show support for the hundreds of semi-professional and amateur clubs around England by going to a non-league match this weekend.
To find your nearest non-league match, visit nonleagueday.co.uk/map.
Also in this series
Part 1: Vardy: I rediscovered love of football in non-league
Part 2: Murray: Non-league has a pool of talent
Part 3: Burn: Playing non-league gave me the belief to reach the top
Part 4: Pickford: Non-league matches made me a man
Part 5: Foster: Tiverton gave me the chance I needed