Ranked! The 51 best players in the Football League this season

You voted. We counted.Now the Football League season is over, FFT proudly presents 2018/19’s ranking of the finest footballers in tiers two to four, including future stars and a former teacher, all picked by fans.Today, we're revealing numbers 51 to 31 – come back on Thursday for 30 to 11, and Friday for the top 10.51. Luke Freeman (QPR)In an up-and-down season for the Hoops, their midfield schemer has been one player to consistently bring his A-game, terrifying opposition defences with his direct running and wand of a left peg. Freeman, formerly of Stevenage and Bristol City, is technically excellent and a man for the big occasion – his opening three goals of 2019 came against Aston Villa, West Bromand Leeds.50. Tyler Walker (Mansfield)Perhaps the greatest success of Walker’s season has been to secure a reputation as a master goalscorer, and not simply ‘son of Des’. What impresses most about the loanee is his ability to find space in a crowded box, as well as his composure when finishing with either foot or his head. He’ll return to Nottingham Forest full of confidence after 20-plus goals and potentially a promotion, too, with Mansfield heading into the League Two play-offs.49. Ashley Hunter (Fleetwood)After breaking into the starting XI two seasons ago, the 23-year-old is now the key creative asset for this Fleetwood outfit and among the top assisters in League One. Hunter is at his most effective on the left side of midfield, where the bulk of his assists have come from inswinging right-footed crosses that are tough to defend against. The ex-Ilkeston man is a clever player with excellent technique.48. Chuks Aneke (MK Dons)The Arsenal academy product’s talent has never been in doubt, but it's taken a while to work out his most effective position.It seems obvious now: Aneke is a brilliant lower-league striker, able to handle the physicality of League Two and boasting both the ability to create chances and a knack for being on the end of them. He’s been vital in the Dons’ successful bid for a swift League One return.47. Eberechi Eze (QPR)Eze went from being a League Two loanee to a clutch player for QPR in less than a year. A silky No.10, his ability to breeze past players, coupled with a powerful shot, make him a real dangerman and a target for rough treatment from opponents. Like QPR, he has fallen away in the second half of the season, but he has the skill to go far and, at 20, the time to add the consistency needed to do so.46. Max Aarons (Norwich)The teenager impressed in the Carabao Cup’s early rounds, was given a chance in the league and since then has been first-choice right-back (where he now plays opposite another young full-back, 21-year-old Jamal Lewis). Going forward, he offers the Canaries width, pace and fantastic link-up play, and in defensive situations has shown great maturity. The prototype of a modern full-back.45. Ian Henderson (Rochdale)It’s difficult to think of many players quite as crucial to their team as Henderson is to Dale. He'll be the club’s top goalscorer for a fifth season in succession, and has hit more League One goals than anyone in the division across the past five campaigns. The veteran can play as a deep-lying forward or out wide and still be the team’s most consistent goal threat, and he’s showing no sign of slowing.44. Alan Browne (Preston)Were this The 51 Most Underrated Football League Players, Browne would be No.1. Plucked from Cork City as an 18-year-old, he has just reached 200 Preston appearances and his influence has never been greater. He wears No.8 but plays as a No.10 and has scored 12 times in the Championshipthis term, while his work without the ball allows Alex Neil’s side to defend from the front to supreme effect.43. Padraig Amond (Newport County)The 30-year-old finished the season with 14 league goals – but it was his cup haul that really caught the eye. Amond scored in every round of Newport’s run to the last 16 of the FA Cup, including a late strike against Manchester Citywhich impressed Pep Guardiola so much thathe sought him out to congratulate him on the finish after the game.42. Lukas Jutkiewicz (Birmingham)The man they call The Duke has always been a useful forward at Championship level. But having become a key man under Garry Monk, he’s now enjoying his best campaign yet, thriving alongside Che Adams and reaching double figures for both goals and assists in early February. For any team playing a direct style of football, a willing targetman is essential, and the 30-year-old has won the most aerial duels in the division.41. Jason Shackell (Lincoln)Shackell – one of several players lured to Sincil Bank in recent seasons despite clearly being capable of playing higher up the ladder – has lived up to the expectations and formed part of the Imps’ sturdy League Two spine. His leadership qualities have helped Lincoln win the title, while his four league goals have included two winners and a stunning direct free-kick.ON THE NEXT PAGE...Places 40-31, including an exciting Chelsea youngster and a former PE teacher who rose up through non-league40. Oli McBurnie (Swansea)Last season, he won Barnsley’s Player of the Year prize despite joining the club in January; now, back at Swansea, the perfect loan striker is the perfect lone striker. The Scotland international’s fun personality and throwback style (he’s been called a 21st-century Steve Claridge) make him a fan favourite, but he has real talent too, dropping deep to spray the ball wide before receiving a cross.39. Reece James (Wigan)It’s hard for a full-back to catch the eye, yet James was singled out as the Latics’ Player of the Month for September, October and even November– before getting into the Championship's official team of the year.In fact, he performed so well at right-back that Wigan boss Paul Cook tried him out in central midfield – and he ran the show there, too. He’s linked with a move to Brighton, but could Chelsea’s potential transfer ban make them give an opportunity to teenage talent next season?38. Ivan Toney (Peterborough)The Posh parted with a reported £650,000 to nab the striker from Newcastle and, thanks to regular first-team action, he already looks like following in the footsteps of ex-Peterborough forwards Dwight Gayle and Britt Assombalonga with 21 goals in all competitions this term. A mobile forward, Toney is a threat in the air, can score with both feet and has formed a deadly partnership with assist king Marcus Maddison.37. Nicky Law (Exeter)Manager Matt Taylor called Law “a League One player” when bringing him to League Two for free last July, and it’s hard to argue with that assessment. An all-action midfielder, Law can contribute in a number of different positions and offered a goal threat as Exeter chased a play-off spot. His presence in this list speaks to a consistent high level of performance that is recognised across the fourth tier.36. Adam Reach (Sheffield Wednesday)A reliable Championship performer for the past five campaigns, Reach shot into the consciousness of the wider football world with two goal-of-the-season contenders – both live on TV – in the space of one autumn week. As well as the magic left foot that stunned Leeds and West Brom, Reach possesses an impressive work rate and can be relied upon to perform in a variety of roles.35. Jay O’Shea (Bury)The Irish midfielder has rediscovered his stellar Chesterfield form with Bury, despite being deployed in a deeper midfield role to the one he often played for the Spireites. Far from suppressing his attacking instincts, however, this part with a free-scoring Shakers outfit has brought out the best in O’Shea, registering 21 league goals and assists for the team en routeto League One promotion.34. Sammie Szmodics (Colchester)One of half a dozen graduates from an impressive academy forming the spine of Colchester’s first team, local lad Szmodics is the jewel in the club’s crown. His greatest weapon is unerring accuracy from the edge of the box – he managed double figures for goals for a second year running – and with the technical quality to play at a higher level, the No.10 has been tipped for a big move.33. Jamal Lowe (Portsmouth)The midfielder, a former PE teacher who came up through the non-league system, finished this season with more goals than he managed in 2017/18as Portsmouth reached the League One play-offs.A personal highlight for the 24-year-old came when Pompey got through to the Checkatrade Trophy final at Wembley. Lowe had never been to the stadium before, despite growing up “15 minutes away”.32. Jon McLaughlin (Sunderland)It’s hard to overstate the goalkeeper’s contribution to Sunderland’s season as they adjusted to life in League One. McLaughlin’s saves have turned potential defeats into draws, and draws into victories. He made his Scotland debut last year at the age of 30, but could yet cement a place as their No.1.31. Alex Mowatt (Barnsley)The early days of the midfielder’s Oakwell spell weren’t promising. He was sent off 40 minutes into his debut in January 2017, then loaned to Oxford for a season. But since Daniel Stendel’s arrival as manager, Mowatt has made real progress, pulling the strings with a quality of pass rarely seen in the third tier. Barnsley’s star forwards would labour without this former Leeds player in the engine room. Can he do it in the Championship next year?Come back to FourFourTwo.com on Thursday for places 30 to 11!While you're here, why not take advantage of our brilliant new subscribers' offer? Get5 copies of the world's greatest football magazine for just £5– the game's greatest stories and finest journalism direct to your door for less than the cost of a London pint. 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