If you asked someone, two or three years ago, what are the odds for a player who played at a Non-League football club, in tier 8, to be brought into a Championship club, get promoted to the Premier League and eventually win the Premier League at the age of 29 and also be one of the top scorers in that season, they would’ve probably told you that it is more likely for you to win a massive online casino jackpot.
But, as you probably know exactly that happened with Jamie Vardy this year, so who knows, maybe you have a chance of winning a lot of money as well.
Check out this Go Wild app review and find out more about this popular app which includes games that feature jackpots which are often exceed £1,000,000. The story of Jamie Vardy is one of the most amazing stories in English football history and it definitely got more people interested in Non-League football.
A truly amazing story
By now, pretty much everyone who is into football in the UK, and beyond, is familiar with ‘the zero turned hero’ – Jamie Vardy. This South Yorkshire man was released by Sheffield Wednesday when he was just 16 and he then joined Stocksbridge Park Steels, whose first team he entered in 2007 at the age of 20.
The team was competing in the Northern Premier League which is in the eight tier of the English football league system, i.e. four levels below League Two which is the bottom division in The Football League. He remained at the club until 2010 and he was already 23 by then.
He was earning a mere £30 and hardly anyone would’ve predicted that he is on his way to stardom and fame.
Vardy was then bought by FC Halifax Town for an amount of £15,000 and helped the club win the Northern Premier League Premier Division in 2011. He was then bought by Fleetwood Town who then competed in the Conference Premier.
After a year in which he scored 31 goals and led Fleetwood Town to the title, he was noticed by the scouts of Leicester City and the club signed the player for an amount of £1m. That is a record fee for a Non-League player. Many probably laughed at the fact that Leicester paid a million for a 25 year old that played in the Conference, but Vardy and Leicester City fans are having the last laugh. He was worth every penny.
The rest is history as now Jamie Vardy and Leicester were all over the press in these past few months. Moreover, Vardy is still in the public eye, following the Arsenal transfer speculation. Whether he leaves for North London, or stays at Leicester, Jamie Vardy has secured his place in the English football history.
It will impact the future of Non-League football
The success of Jamie Vardy is not just a personal success, it is not just a story of a boy from Sheffield who dared to dream. It is not just a story of Leicester City and their unbelievable success. It is also a testament to the quality of Non-League footballers and clubs.
It shows that people should never be prejudiced against Non-League football and non-professional players. It doesn’t matter where you’re from, who you are and what club you play for, as long as you love playing football and as long as you’re not giving up on it.
Vardy will be an inspiration for hundreds of Non-League players and we are sure that Premier League scouts will be watching a lot more Non-League matches in the future.
There are a lot of hidden gems in Non-League football and a lot of clubs are already on their mission to find them. This will only increase the level of competitiveness, and the overall quality of Non-League football. Sean Raggett, Xavier Vidal, Luke Wanadio, Omar Bogle, and several other players are already seen as the next potential Jamie Vardy, so who knows.
Jamie Vardy caught everyone by surprise, perhaps we will get used to players going from Non-League football all the way up to the Premier League.