Jamie Vardy: From Bottom to the Top of English Football

From humble beginnings to the top of the English game, Jamie Vardy’s career has been nothing short of remarkable.

This is the story of Jamie Vardy, a true rags to riches tale. We’ll look at his early years, his playing style and his rise in the world of football.

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Early Years

Vardy was born in Sheffield, in a working-class neighbourhood. From a young age, he showed a passion for football and began his journey playing in the youth system at Sheffield Wednesday. Vardy’s dream to play professional football was short-lived as the club decided to release him at age 16. Sheffield considered Vardy small and too thin.

In those difficult times, Vardy looked for another job to earn money. Vardy eventually wound up at Trulife, a carbon fibre factory.

Vardy got back onto his football journey by joining non-league side Stocksbridge Park Steels, in the eighth tier of English football. Vardy made his way through the reserve team and into the first team, making his debut under manager Gary Marrow in 2007, earning £30 a week at the club. He continued to work as a factory worker during this time, feeling the difficulties to divide his time on working and playing football, Vardy decided to focus on his football career.

After an assault charge, for 'defending' a deaf mate, Vardy had to play with an ankle tag for a few weeks. In some matches he could only play 60 minutes as he had to get home to ensure he didn't miss his 6pm curfew.

But his meteoric rise soon began. After impressive displays, scoring 66 goals in 107 appearances in three seasons, a number of Football League teams became interested.

Professional Career

In June 2010, Vardy signed for Northern Premier League team FC Halifax Town. It was during this time that Vardy began to make a name for himself as a goal-scorer. Vardy had a successful first season finishing as the club's top goalscorer with 25 goals from 37 appearances and being voted the Player's Player of the Season. His goals helped secure the Northern Premier League title for the 2010–11 season. 

Vardy eventually signed for National League club Fleetwood Town for £150,000 and put Vardy on £850-a-week wages. He quickly established himself as one of the best players in the league, playing in 36 games and scoring 31 goals in the 2011-2012 season. This impressive performance helped Fleetwood Town win the National League title and achieve promotion to the Football League for the first time in the club's history.

This was a major step in Vardy's career and his performances did not go unnoticed. He was named in the National League team of the year and was the top goal scorer. His impressive goal-scoring record had caught the attention of bigger clubs, and it was not long before he was approached by Leicester City.

Move to Leicester City

In 2012, Vardy signed with Leicester City for a fee of £1 million, a non-League record. In his first season, Vardy scored 5 goals in 29 appearances, his own loss of form, prompted criticism from some supporters and Vardy even considered leaving football until manager Nigel Pearson and assistant manager Craig Shakespeare convinced him to continue with the club.

The following season brought a turnaround in Vardy's fortunes as he established himself as a prolific scorer in the Leicester attack. Vardy finished the season with 16 league goals as Leicester were promoted to the Premier League at the end of the season as champions, and was named Leicester's Players' Player of the season.

In his first season in the Premier League, Vardy scored just 5 goals in 34 appearances. But was a key player and helped the team to a safe mid-table finish, avoiding relegation.

The following season, Vardy and the team took the league by storm. He broke the long standing Ruud van Nistelrooy record of 10 consecutive Premier League goals for which he was awarded a place in the Guinness World Records. He scored 24 goals in 36 appearances in the 2015-2016 season, leading Leicester City to an historic Premier League title win. Vardy was integral to the team's success, forming a deadly partnership with fellow striker Riyad Mahrez.

He has continued to be a key player for Leicester City in following seasons, scoring regularly and helping the team maintain their position as a top-flight team. On 3 June 2016, Arsenal made a bid of £22 million for Vardy, triggering a release clause in his contract. Leicester offered him improved terms, and 20 days later he agreed to a new four-year deal. Although riddled with injuries in recent times, Vardy has gone on to become a club legend and a fan favourite.

Playing Style

Vardy is known for his high-energy, fast-paced style of play who excels at running in behind the defensive line and stretching opponents. With his pace and clinical finishing combined, makes him a threat on counter-attacks which suits the style of Leicester City teams.

He possesses a great understanding of the game and knows how to use movement to create space for others. He also has good aerial ability whilst also being capable of striking the ball powerfully with either foot. His work rate and ability to press the opposition also makes him valuable in defensive transitions, he’s able to quickly press and recover balls, creating counter-attack opportunities.

International Level

Vardy's success at Leicester City earned him a call-up to the England National team in 2015, he was first called up for a friendly match against the Republic of Ireland and was then included in the squad for the UEFA Euro 2016.

At the 2016 Euros, Vardy made his tournament debut on 16th June, in England's second group match, coming off the bench in the second half to score an equalising goal against Wales, helping his team come from behind to win the match 2–1.

He was also selected for the 2018 FIFA World Cup squad, he was used sparingly during the tournament, starting only the final group stage match against Belgium as the England side reached the World Cup semi-finals for only the third time in their history. In total, Vardy made 27 caps for England, scoring 7 goals.

From playing in non-league football, to winning the most prestigious league in the world, Jamie Vardy's story is one of determination, hard work, patience, perseverance, and consistency, and to never give up on your dreams.