Harry Beautyman, who started last season playing for Sutton United, became the latest product of the local non-League scene to make the step up into the Football League when he joined Peterborough United on loan this week.

It’s only a few weeks ago that this column was talking about Michail Antonio, who spent years going through the Tooting & Mitcham academy and has been one of the best players in the Championship this season at Nottingham Forest.

But Beautyman’s story is possibly even more typical in the role non-League football can play. Released by Leyton Orient in 2011, the step down – if you like – provided him with the opportunity to rebuild his career.

From Sutton United came an opportunity too good to turn down with Welling in the Conference.

But the whole thing would break down if clubs like Peterborough weren’t prepared to take a gamble on a player from a different level.

During director of football, Barry Fry’s near two-decade presence at London Road, Posh have become probably the outstanding club at plucking players at non-League and giving them a chance.

Beautyman is just the latest on a long list. Do a Google search for Marcus Maddison who has already scored a couple of free kicks this season David Beckham would be proud of. Last season he was playing for Gateshead.

And it is a production line – particularly of strikers. In the last two summers Posh have sold Dwight Gayle (ex-Bishop’s Stortford) and Britt Assombalonga (ex-Wealdstone) for a combined £10m.

At 22, Beautyman’s rise back into Football League – he is likely to be given a permanent deal when the transfer window opens in January – is a triumph for his own dedication having twice torn his ankle ligaments soon after joining Welling.

It’s also a triumph for the non-League game itself.

The football pyramid really does work – even if there aren’t enough Peterboroughs taking advantage of some of the riches on offer.