Vardy could was playing non-league just a few seasons ago. (Picture: Getty)

On Saturday evening Leicester City will face Manchester United in a top of the table clash with the Foxes looking to remain at the helm of the Premier League heading into December.

In what can be only described as one of the most miraculous rises in recent history for Leicester, and more perhaps poignantly for their star striker Jamie Vardy, it’s a chance to have their names etched into the Premier League record books.

Vardy scored his tenth consecutive Premier League goal on Leicester’s 3-0 victory over Newcastle on Saturday afternoon, a goal that would equal a record set by one of the league’s most lethal strikers, Ruud van Nistelrooy.



Little is known about England’s latest goalscoring hope, a man who was playing non-league football just three years ago, a man who was substituted against Reading in the Championship a mere 591 days ago is the same 28-year-old man who is on the cusp of glory, and here’s how he did it:


Jamie Vardy’s miraculous rise from non-league football SHEFFIELD WEDNESDAY YOUTH ACADEMY Yorkshire-born Vardy began his career locally by joining the Sheffield Wednesday youth system before being released at the age of 16.

STOCKSBRIDGE PARK STEELS YOUTH ACADEMY Shortly after leaving Wednesday, 16-year-old Vardy signed up to the youth academy of newly-formed south Yorkshire side Stocksbridge Park Steels.

STOCKSBRIDGE PARK STEELS Four seasons after signing, Vardy had progressed through the reserves and was promoted to the first team under Gary Marrow, earning himself a £30 per week contract in the process.

FC HALIFAX TOWN Halifax manager Neil Aspin snapped up Vardy at the start of what would prove a hugely successful 2010 season. Vardy finished top goalscorer with 27 goals as Halifax won the Northern Premier League title.

FLEETWOOD TOWN After his goalscoring exploits for Halifax, Fleetwood shelled out an undisclosed fee. In his one season with the club, Vardy scored the crucial goals to guide Fleetwood to the Conference title and a first-ever promotion to the Football League.

LEICESTER CITY Fleetwood rejected a £750k bid from Blackpool to hold out for a £1million fee and that's exactly what they got from Championship side Leicester. Just 4 goals in 26 appearances forced then manager Nigel Pearson to fend off criticism of his striker and convince him not to leave the club after play-off failure.

Championship triumph Thankfully for Leicester fans, Pearson was successful in convincing Vardy to stay at the club during the summer. Vardy finished the season with 16 league goals as the Foxes comfortably claimed the Championship title. The Premier League was calling.

Premier League A four-year contract extension was handed to Vardy upon promotion and, despite a few injury problems, the former non-league striker would go on to score famous goals against Man United and West Brom as Leicester somewhat surprisingly survived relegation.

ENGLAND CALLING After winning Player of the Month at the tail end of the previous season, Vardy was called up to the England squad by Roy Hodgson in May and made his debut against Republic of Ireland a month later.

The goal trail Inspired by his rise to the international scene, Vardy started season by scoring the opening goal in 4–2 victory against Sunderland and didn't look back. The 28-year-old would start his 10 game consecutive goalscoring run, equaling a record set by Premier League great Ruud van Nistelrooy.

MAnchester United Vardy given the opportunity to beat Van Nistelrooy's record against Manchester United live on Sky Sports.

