The striker was a surprise inclusion in the England squad for the competition 12 months ago and has seen his career take off ever since.

Campbell was playing in the Ryman League with Yeading when he helped England lift the trophy in Ireland last year with wins against the hosts, Wales and Scotland.

Brentford swooped to sign him immediately after the tournament was over and seven months later he was playing in the Premiership after landing a £500,000 move to Birmingham City.

It sounds like a fairytale but Campbell is proof that dreams do come true and believes all those involved in next week¹s tournament in Sussex can follow in his footsteps.

He said: "I was actually in the airport on my way back from Ireland when my manager at Yeading rang to say Brentford had come in for me.

"I'm not sure if they had anyone at the tournament watching me but I think the fact I was playing for my country helped to convince them to take a chance on me.

"I'd had a really good season for Yeading and scored a lot of goals but being involved for England really put me in the shop window and I¹ve gone from strength to strength ever since.

"It's happened to me and there is no reason why someone cannot do the same this year as there are some great players at non-league level.

"I don't want to big myself up but I think maybe I have opened the door for others to make the step up to professional football. League clubs were a bit hesitant to sign non-league players before but now I think more will be willing to take a chance."

Supporters in Sussex will be able to make their own minds up on whether there are any rough diamonds waiting to be discovered when the tournament kicks off tomorrow.

The tournament is being billed as a curtain-raiser for the World Cup and Campbell insists it will definitely whet the appetite for the fast-approaching football jamboree in Germany.

He said: "I remember how proud I was when I got the call up because I was the only player to be picked for the England team from outside the Conference.

"Representing your country is a massive thing whatever level it is at and all the players will be trying their hardest to win the tournament.

"If anything the hunger and passion is even more intense than in senior internationals because the players have more to prove so it makes for great entertainment."

England boss Paul Fairclough was the one who gave Campbell his chance last year and is hopeful there will be another success story this time round.

Fairclough said: "DJ used the tournament as a launchpad for his career and I am firmly of the opinion that any one of the 18 players in my squad this year could go on to play at a higher level too."

Courtesy of Stephen Hollis at the Brighton Argus

Tournament Schedule:

23 May  England v Ireland - Priory Lane, Eastbourne Borough, 7.45pm
23 May  Wales v Scotland - Nyewood Lane, Bognor Regis Town, 7.45pm

25 May  England v Wales - Priory Lane, Eastbourne Borough, 7.45pm
25 May  Ireland v Scotland - Victor Gladwish Stadium, Worthing, 7.45pm

27 May  Ireland v Wales - Victor Gladwish Stadium, Worthing, 12.30pm
27 May  England v Scotland - Priory Lane, Eastbourne Borough, 4.00pm

Tickets for England games will cost £5 for Adults and £1 for children U16 and OAP's.

The three games at Worthing FC and Bognor Regis Town FC will be free.