If you’re looking for a true “grass to grace” or “zero to hero” football story, Jamie Vardy’s journey is one that stands out and can be told a thousand times. Here’s a surprising fact: the Leicester City legend is known to smoke and drink three cans of Red Bull a day, yet he still steps onto the field and scores goals like a true athlete—what an extraordinary individual!
This football article delves into the extraordinary tale of Jamie Vardy, a footballer whose rise from the lower leagues of English football to becoming a Premier League champion is a testament to his sheer determination, unmatched work ethic, and unwavering dream of playing at the highest level.
Red Bull, Smoking, and Goals: Unlikely Journey of Jamie Vardy
Early in his life, Jamie Vardy faced a harsh rejection from football because he was considered too small and skinny. Despite giving his best on the field, being dismissed for his size crushed him deeply. The pain of that rejection was so intense that Jamie vowed never to play football again.
What happened next? Jamie set out on a different path, taking up low-paying jobs to make ends meet. He worked gruelling 12-hour shifts in a factory and later found a job as a carbon fibre technician. But what brought Jamie back to football? This is where the story takes a turn. We’ll share how he was persuaded to give football another shot and how he made a firm decision to commit fully to the game, never looking back or abandoning his passion again. Now, let’s dive into the heart of Vardy’s remarkable journey.
Jamie Vardy Childhood Story:
For Biography starters, Jamie Richard Vardy was born on the 11th day of January 1987 in Sheffield, United Kingdom.
English Football Legend Jamie Vardy was born to his mother, Lisa Vardy (a former employee solicitor), and his father, Richard Gill (a former crane worker).
Jamie Vardy experienced a middle-class upbringing but faced a tumultuous childhood while growing up in the Hillsborough neighbourhood.
This is Hillsborough, where Jamie Vardy’s parents raised him. Credit to DreamTeamFC.
His childhood story is a true reflection of suffering, pain, endurance, and triumph. It’s a ‘Rags-to-Riches’ story of a factory worker who turned into a football superhero.
Jamie’s love for football came naturally in the early part of his childhood. Although, his decision to take football as a profession came during his mid-teenage years.
His parents supported his decision to focus fully on it and nothing else. Even his education was thrown off; after all, he could speak and write English.
Jamie Vardy Early Years (Football):
Vardy’s passion for soccer saw him begin playing football at a very tender age. Early on, Jamie Vardy’s dream was to play top-flier football. This dream, unfortunately, died off as Sheffield Wednesday did the unexpected.
The club released Jamie Vardy on the grounds that he was too small and skinny. Thou at Little Jamie, as pictured below, was considered the smallest and skinniest among his age group.
A rare photo of Jamie Vardy in his childhood.
This rejection news caused lots of upsets and uncertainty for the young lad. It was shocking because Sheffield Wednesday has been a club he had supported all his life as a child.
Jamie Vardy Biography – Road to Fame Story:
When the Going Gets Tough:
Sheffield United’s rejection made Vardy never think of football. In a bid to totally forget football, Vardy took a low-paying factory job where he earned a living. Jamie Vardy once said in an interview,
“I worked as a carbon fiber technician, making splints for people with drop-foot. The job was physically demanding—we had to lift heavy materials and place them into hot ovens repeatedly throughout the day. The constant lifting took a toll on my back.”
Reports indicated that Jamie worked 12-hour shifts at his factory job. While working for the factory, many of Jamie Vardy’s co-workers knew that wasn’t his call. It took much effort for one who once stood up and confronted him. Vardy was seriously convinced by a co-worker and friend who advised him to give football a second chance.
Jamie Vardy Biography – Fame Story:
According to DreamTeam FC, it was just when it looked like Vardy would be condemned to a life of utter ordinariness that his life was transformed due to his decision to leave the Carbon Fibre factory and return to football.
After putting some serious thought into it again, Jamie returned to searching for a club he hoped would accept him. This time, a lower team side, ‘Wickersley Youth in Rotherham,’ gave him an opportunity.
The young future Leicester City legend during his early career years.
Funny how time travelled. About five years later, in June 2016, a certain Jamie Vardy was still playing for the seventh division of English football, earning 30 pounds, and had become a Premier League title holder and highest goal scorer.
The rest, as they say, is now history.
Love Life with Rebekah Nicholson:
With Jamie’s rise to fame, the question on everyone’s lips is…Who is Jamie’s girlfriend, wife or WAG? She’s Rebekah, who was born on the 7th day of February 1982 (5 years older than her man).
Photo of Jamie Vardy’s Wife, Rebekah.
Vardy met his wife, Rebekah Nicholson, at the FIFA World Cup in 2014 while she, a marketer, was working as a nightclub promoter. Their love story began when Vardy hired Rebekah to organize his birthday party. As they discussed the party details, sparks flew, and what started as event planning quickly turned into a blossoming romance. The rest, as they say, is history.
Photo of the Fox Legend and his wife, Rebekah.
Both lovers dated for two years before getting married on the 26th of May, 2016, at the prestigious celeb fave Peckforton Castle on 26 May 2016.
Together, they have three biological children. Jamie Vardy had two of his kids (Sofia Vardy and Finley Jaiden Vardy, born in 2014 and 2017, respectively) from his wife, and one from a previous relationship.
Rebekah’s children, her previous relationship:
Rebekah also has a daughter and son named Megan and Taylor, who, at the time of writing, is reported to be 13 and 8, respectively (in March 2019). Both Megan and Taylor are regularly featured on their mum’s Instagram account.
Photo of Jamie Vardy’s Wife, Rebekah.
Jamie Vardy’s Children from His Previous Relationship:
The English Baller has a daughter named Ella Vardy, born in 2010, with his ex-girlfriend Emma Daggett.
Personality:
Getting to know Jamie Vardy’s Personal Life would give you get a complete picture of him. Starting off, Jamie is a man of charity who loves to donate to the public for football causes. Jamie once launched his V9 Academy in November 2015.
V9 is an annual camping programme developed by Jamie to provide coaching and guidance to non-League footballers.
The initiative offers these footballers the unique opportunity to showcase their football talents in the ever-watchful eyes of premier league scouts.
Vardy, like Ismaila Sarr and Marcus Rashford, is into charity because he knows there are lots of people out there who are still struggling to get an opportunity to play at the top level.
Jamie Vardy Family Life:
Vardy exemplifies his parents and working-class family, who have plenty of value for him. However, his relationship with his family hasn’t been on a smooth sailing in recent years.
Did You Know?… Jamie Vardy once fell out with both his mother (Lisa), stepfather (Phil), and grandparents over his decision to settle down with Becky Nicholson. His family did not approve of the former nightclub promotions girl, Becky.
The English Forward once had a falling out with his mother, stepfather, and grandparents over his decision to settle down with Becky Nicholson.
Their disapproval of his bride caused a burst up between Jamie Vardy and his parents, which resulted in them not attending his wedding. Even Jamie Vardy’s grandparents, Gerald and Mavis, were also missing as a result of the family rift.
Jamie Vardy Lifestyle:
According to Legit, the vice-chairman of Leicester once opened up about Jamie Vardy’s former dirty lifestyle.
He also said that he never wanted the club to sign Vardy from a lower English division. Aiyawatt Srivaddhanaprabha had this opinion because of Jamie Vardy’s drinking habit.
“I didn’t know about this until someone told me that he came to train while he was still drunk. He said he didn’t know what to do with his life. Jamie had never earned such a large amount of money.” Srivaddhanaprabha said.
After some one-on-one hard talk, Vardy decided to change his way. He quit drinking and started working hard in training.
Jamie Vardy Facts:
In the final section of the Leicester Legend’s Bio, we’ll tell you more facts about him. So, without further ado, let’s begin.
Encounter with Thai Monk:
Some football fans once accused Jamie Vardy of acquiring divine football powers from a Thai Monk who travelled 6,000 kilometres all the way from Thailand to Leicester.
Many believe this was the reason for his success during the 2015/2016 season, in which his team won the Premier League.
Some football fans once speculated that Jamie Vardy gained divine football powers from a Thai monk.
Speed Facts:
Jamie Vardy once held the title for the Premier League’s top speed, clocking in at 22 miles per hour during the 2015/2016 season. As of now, Micky van de Ven is the fastest Premier League player. Other speedsters include Chiedozie Ogbene (36.93 km/h), Anthony Elanga (36.91 km/h), Pedro Neto (36.86 km/h), and Anthony Gordon (36.68 km/h).
Once Accused of Racism:
In August 2015, Jamie Vardy was videoed in a Casino committing a serious offence that fans identified as an ‘ethnic slur‘. This incident came when footage of Jamie Vardy was repeatedly seen calling an East Asian man a ‘Jap‘.
–‘Calling someone this name is usually considered an offence –. Despite an apology for a regrettable judgment error, Jamie was fined and placed under some strict moral, educational course by his club, Leicester City FC.
Once went on Parole:
Did you know?… In the year 2007, Jamie Vardy was convicted of an assault that occurred outside a pub. This made him play football under strict conditions.
A watchful eye from British Law enforcement served as his parole officer. He made Jamie wear an electronic tag fitted on his body for six months.
In addition to that, a curfew was imposed on him by the law, which served as a disciplinary measure. This limited his football playtime as he was, in most cases, confined.
EndNote:
Thank you for taking the time to read this article on Jamie Vardy, a football legend who appears to have a no-ending Fox career. Our team has worked hard to ensure accuracy and fairness while bringing you the childhood story and biography of Leicester City’s “Fast Fox.”
Be sure to stay tuned for more captivating stories from the world of English football. You won’t want to miss the life stories of other Leicester City stars like James Maddison and Harvey Barnes—they’re guaranteed to make for an enjoyable read.
If you notice anything in this article about Jamie Vardy that doesn’t seem quite right, we’d love to hear your thoughts. Feel free to share your feedback in the comments section.
