The Record-Breaking Rise of Jamie Vardy

As many are well aware, in yesterday’s match vs. Manchester United, Leicester City striker Jamie Vardy scored a goal to make it 11 Premier League matches in a row with a goal. This puts Vardy in the record books breaking Ruud van Nistelrooy’s 12 year record. But what many do not know is the story behind Vardy’s rise to the top.

Jamie Vardy was born in Sheffield, England and played in the Sheffield Wednesday youth academy but was released at age 16 for being to small. He played with Stocksbridge Park Steel in the Eighth tier of English football. During his time at Stocksbridge Park Steel, Vardy worked at a carbon fiber factory.

After showing his abilities with Stocksbridge he then was signed by FC Halifax Town in the seventh tier just five years ago.

In his first season with FC Halifax Town he scored 27 goals and was voted the Player of the Season by his opponents. With his goals FC Halifax Town secured promotion to the sixth tier in the 2010-2011 season. After a few matches in the 2011-2012 season Vardy was signed by Fleetwood Town in the fifth tier of English Football.

At Fleetwood Town, Vardy started to show his true quality as a top striker. He scored 31 goals in 36 matches for the club and drew even more attention from bigger clubs. Fleetwood Town were promoted to League 2, the clubs first ever time being in the Football League (top four tiers in England).

Unsurprisingly, Fleetwood Town were unable to hold on to Jamie Vardy and Leicester City (then in the Championship) dished out £1 million for Vardy’s services. This is the record transfer fee for a player from a Non-League side (team below tier 4).

In his first season with Leicester City, Vardy struggled to find his form he had with his previous teams and considered quitting football but then-manager of Leicester Nigel Pearson convinced him to stay. In the following season Vardy scored 16 goals and helped promote Leicester City into the Premier League.

Last season he only had 5 goals in 36 appearances but he has shown his worth this season scoring 14 goals in 14 appearances. He broke the record for most consecutive matches with a goal and now stands up there with names like van Nistelrooy, Wright, Henry, and Shearer. Vardy’s hot start earned him his first cap (appearance) for the the England National Team this season.

Vardy is a phenomenal talent for Leicester and he has show the world that Leicester can compete in the Premier League this season. It is a truly phenomenal story of him going from the eighth tier of English Football to the Premier League in just 8 years. Deservedly, Jamie Vardy has attracted the likes of Real Madrid, who are rumored to be willing to spend £15 million on him in January.