Throughout The Football League, clubs are making an enormous contribution to identifying and nurturing the young stars of the future.

In total, there are more than 8,500 young players between the ages of 8 and 18 registered with League clubs and, in the last four seasons alone, more than 600 'home grown' players have turned professional.

Players that began on the books of League clubs are also making an increasing impact on the national team with players like Gareth Barry (Brighton & Hove Albion), Micah Richards (Oldham Athletic), Theo Walcott (Swindon Town), Ashley Young (Watford) and Joe Hart (Shrewsbury Town) all set to be mainstays of the England team of the future.

As the new season kicks-off football-league.co.uk takes a look at some of the bright young things that are set to light up a stadium near you over the next ten months.

Albert Adomah (Barnet)

Albert Adomah needed only 22 games last season to confirm that Barnet have unearthed a winger of immense promise.

It represented a sharp but fruitful learning curve for Adomah, 20, who began his career with Harrow Borough.

His name is already circulating on the football grapevine, although the player says: "I am staying. I am happy to be at Barnet."

The interest displayed by other clubs is not surprising because Adomah is a quick and inventive wide-man, who scored five times after signing for Barnet in January.

Barnet supporters certainly wasted no time spotting the talent of the winger, who is already has the fans chanting his name to the tune of Macarena.

Ryan Bennett (Grimsby Town)

Ryan Bennett was just 16 when he was released by Ipswich Town.

It was a massive setback to the defender's football ambitions, but  Bennett refused to accept his dream was over.

The youngster from the Essex village of Orsett accepted the chance to go to Grimsby after a recommendation from the Liverpool and England international Neil Ruddock.

Now, two years later, Bennett can look back on an impressive season in Grimsby's League team and even earned a call-up to the England Under-18 squad.

Bennett, who last season played 48 games for Grimsby, faces competition for his place after the arrival of Matt Heywood and Richard Hope.

But Manager Alan Buckley knows they have unearthed a gem in Bennett.

He said: "Ryan is as talented a centre-back as you will see."

Daniel Hone (Lincoln City)

Daniel Hone has followed his father Mark into the Lincoln City team.

Mark spent two seasons at Sincil Bank in the late 1990s and was happy to see his son join their Centre of Excellence.

Daniel is a powerful central defender and Lincoln Manager Peter Jackson, who knows a thing or two about playing at centre-half, soon recognised the lad's talent.

Jackson took over last October and called up Hone for his first game in charge.

Since then, only injury has kept Hone out of the team and Jackson considers him to be the best young defender outside the Premier League.

Charlie Howard (Gillingham)

Manager Mark Stimson was careful not to expose Charlie Howard to much first-team action as Gillingham struggled unsuccessfully against relegation last season.

It was a wise decision by Stimson, who is excited by the ability of the 18-year-old midfielder.

But Howard, an imposing figure at 6ft and 15 stone, is likely to be far more involved as Gills attempt to made a swift return to Coca-Cola League 1.

Stimson said: "Charlie is improving all the time. He is a very committed player and can be the future of Gillingham."

Howard signed a two-year contract last November shortly after making his debut in a Johnstone's Paint Trophy tie.

He later made his solitary League start in a defeat at Port Vale, but still impressed supporters enough to be named the club's Young Player of the Year.

Matt Phillips (Wycombe Wanderers)

Matt Phillips wasted no time making his mark at Wycombe Wanderers.

The winger was only a month past his 17th birthday when he featured against Bradford City in the final game of last season.

It was his first start after a brief appearance as a substitute - but the skilful teenager still left with the Man of the Match award after creating a goal.

The departure of Sergio Torres is likely to present Aylesbury-born Phillips with more opportunities this season.

Chairboys skipper David McCracken is among Phillips' growing band of admirers. McCracken said: "Matt looks a really mature player considering his age."