Jamie Vardy is the leading scorer in the Barclays Premier League with 12 goals. He does not play for Manchester City, Manchester United, Arsenal or any other big club. Vardy plays for Leicester City Football Club, a team who was only promoted to the top flight two years ago.
And eight years ago, Jamie Vardy could only have dreamed being the top scorer in England’s top flight. His journey to the Premier League is one of the most incredible stories in recent history; one of determination and heart.
In 2007, the current Leicester City striker broke his way in to the first team of Stockbridge Park Steels, a team in the Northern Premier League, the seventh highest tier of English soccer, earning only 30 pounds a week. His impressive performances prompted clubs from higher leagues to give him a tryout. Vardy couldn’t manage to sign a contract with any team, and remained with Stockbridge.
In 2010, the Englishman signed for FC Halifax Town, remaining in Northern Premier League. Vardy’s goals led the team to a Northern Premier League title and promotion. Once again, his surprising success in a lower league in England prompted interest from bigger clubs.
And after just one year in Halifax, the on-fire striker signed for Fleetwood Town Football Club in the Conference Premier League, the fifth tier in England. And again, he proved his worth as he contributed to giving Fleetwood Town a Conference Premier League title and first ever promotion to Football League Two, the fourth tier. It could only get better for Vardy from here on out.
In 2012, Vardy’s current club Leicester City, who were in the Football League Championship, the second tier, signed him for around one million pounds. Despite his success at his previous clubs, Vardy was humbled at his first season as he experienced his first true loss of form.
The 2013-14 season in the Championship was much different for the Englishman, as his 16 leagues goals helped earn Leicester City’s first promotion to the Barclays Premier League since the 2003-04 season, all while finishing top of the league.
And his trip to the top still continued in 2014. In one of the matches of the season, Vardy scored his first ever top flight goal as Leicester defeated the biggest club in England, Manchester United, in a thrilling 5-3 win, coming back from a 3-1 deficit. The promoted Leicester side fought off relegation, finishing the season in a respectable 14th place.
In May 2015, Vardy’s childhood dreams came true as he received his first ever international call-up by England. His tremendous form for Leicester caught the attention of England manager Roy Hodgson, who was impressed by Vardy’s goal-scoring ability.
All of Vardy’s unrivaled successes lead him to his current success today. So far in this 2015-16 season, Leicester City sit in 3rd place in the BPL table with 25 points from 12 matches and one point behind league leaders Manchester City.
Vardy has five more goals than the next highest scorer. He was just recently named October’s Player of the month in the BPL.
His story is unbelievable. His ascension to the top is completely incredible. Rarely does anyone ever climb up to the top, but Vardy did it in just eight years, from the seventh tier of English soccer to the top. And he doesn’t appear his rise will stop anytime soon.