We spoke to NG XI manager Paul Fairclough about the men who have progressed under his tutelage and also to Yeovil Town boss Gary Johnson to discover the benefits of international football at National Game level.

Fairclough is proud of the conveyor belt of talent that he has seen progress onwards and upwards after gaining NG XI caps.

He said: "The latest player to join a League club is Adam Miller (left), who moved from Aldershot Town to Queens Park Rangers last week. He was a young lad who was started off particularly well at Canvey Island and I had first hand experience of playing against him when I was manager of Stevenage.

"But he lost his way at Canvey and moved on to Grays, where he seemed to lose his form completely for a season. But he was then picked up by Aldershot manager Terry Brown and Adam began performing again straight away. I had no hesitation in picking him for the England midfield.

"He is technically a very good player and I always felt he had a good future beyond the Conference. So it was no surprise to me that he has moved to QPR. It might take him a little bit of time to bed in there but I am sure he will make the grade.

"Miller follows in the footsteps of other players that I have seen move on to League clubs in the past couple of years after playing for the NG XI. The international football really has put these men in the shop window.

"For example, Danny Collins moved to Sunderland from Chester City after winning NG XI caps during their spell in the Conference. I am very proud of Danny. He was awfully young when I spotted him playing for Chester. I had a look at the lad just three or four games after he started playing for them.

Not many people know that he began as a centre-forward. And I think that has helped him now as a centre-half. He has everything - the height, the pace, the strength, a great left foot and he understands how forwards work.

Left-sided centre backs are a prime commodity. I am pleased that he made a huge leap forward to join Sunderland.

"Another NG XI player who moved on from Chester was Wayne Hatswell, who joined Kidderminster. Wayne is another of these left-sided players who are hard to find. He has a good understanding of the game, has scored goals for Kidderminster and is a leading light for them.

"We also saw Steve Guinan (above) move up from Hereford United to League club Cheltenham Town. Steve was a star for us with England last season when he was leading goalscorer in the Four Nations Tournament. He’s a real leader on the pitch, a great marksman and good with his back to goal.

"Meanwhile, Swansea City signed Sam Ricketts from the now defunct Telford United. Sam was a young player who we identified very early on as having potential. He’s a tall lad, athletic and a very conscientious footballer.

"He’s still learning the game but he is seeing a lot of action down at Swansea and he has a bright future.

"Also, Paul Terry moved from Dagenham and Redbridge to Yeovil Town. Paul was a player that I had always admired when he was at Dagenham. I thought about signing him when I was with Stevenage.

"Then, when I became England boss he did very well for us in the Four Nations Tournament and he was a member of the winning side. He is now playing regularly for Yeovil in the League so he has made the transition very smoothly."

Perhaps the best known player that the England boss worked with at non-League level was Barry Hayles. The freescoring striker played under Fairclough at Stevenage Borough, winning England semi-pro caps before signing for Bristol Rovers in 1997.

Fairclough said: "Barry came from nowhere. We found him playing for a parks team in West London. He quickly progressed through non-League football, doing well for me at Stevenage and winning England caps.

"From there, his career really took off and he got moves up the football ladder to Bristol Rovers, Fulham, Sheffield United and now Millwall. He’s really made a name for himself."

Meanwhile, Yeovil Town boss Gary Johnson is a big fan of the England NG X1 and attends their home matches on a regular basis. He even travelled to the recent fixture in Italy.

Several of Johnson’s past and present players have been capped at this level - the likes of Paul Terry, Scott Guyett, Lee Elam, Simon Weatherstone, Kirk Jackson, Chris Weale, Darren Way, Lee Johnson and Terry Skiverton.

Johnson said: "To play for the NG XI is a great opportunity for the lads. Our players were very proud to represent England. And they were treated in the same way as Sven’s full England side are.

"They were looked after and everything was very professional. They thoroughly enjoyed themselves.

"Several of the NG XI players have moved on to the Football League over the past couple of seasons and I am sure that trend will continue to happen.

"The manager is picking the lads that obviously have the quality to play for England but who also have the potential to progress.

"I really enjoy watching the games, which are of a very high standard. It is a good chance for League clubs to see the best of non-League. And the players have the required fitness to step up to the League as most of them are playing for full-time teams in the Conference."

To be capped at England NG XI level is a great honour for all semi-professional players and the fact that League talent spotters are flocking to the international fixtures is a huge incentive for all concerned.