Jamie Vardy admits his rags-to-riches Netflix story will never be repeated

Jamie Vardy is the Premier League’s greatest-ever Cinderella Man story. His rags-to-riches story from non-league to hero of Leicester ’s 5,000/1 title-winning miracle is an incredible underdog story. Ten years on, Vardy’s unforgettable story is the subject of a brilliant Netflix documentary and even he insists his fairytale will never be repeated. Vardy, 39, said: “Probably not, if I'm honest. It's not the common way of doing things, is it? Nowadays, it's academy and then reserves and then first-team. “That's normally always been the case. I think luckily I was just a little freak in the works. I don't think it will probably happen again, no, but it did happen for me and it was hard work. It really was tough but all worth it.” Vardy’s story started as a kid released by Sheffield Wednesday. He worked in a factory while playing non-league but his boozing, brush with the law (he ended up wearing an ankle tag) and nights out with his gang of mates affectionately known as the Inbetweeners are a part of his story. But Vardy is also a loveable character, the cheeky boy-next-door who has made good and that comes across so clearly. And despite the fame and success, he is still close with the Inbetweeners. “They’re great, aren't they? They’re great. Do you know what it is, they’re just no-nonsense. If I’ve had a game, they’re in the box and I walk upstairs they’ll tell me straight away if I’ve had a good game or a s**t game. They’re not bothered,” said Vardy. “That’s how we all are. That’s how we are altogether, how we connect with each other, if of us is having a problem then get it in the group, might get abused for a bit but at least it’s us lot keeping an eye on each other. “But they come to as many games as they can. They love it. That’s how we’ve always been . We’ve always been that close. We all met on different paths but the togetherness afterwards is second to none. It’s brilliant. We’re in a What’s App group.” That is Vardy all over. His story then from Fleetwood, early struggles at Leicester after joining for a non-league record fee of £1m do not stop him from winning the title and playing for England. His story has not just been good for him but also his family, wife Rebekah and their kids, plus also his agent John Morris who convinced him from early on that he could go all the way. That relationship is straight out of Jerry Maguire. It is a great story. So, could it happen again? "One hundred per cent. If I’m honest, I think it’s more about some teams being afraid to take the risk,” said Vardy. “A lot of them at times probably, say you get to a January transfer window and you’re fighting relegation, are you going to take the risk on someone? Or are you going to go for experience of someone who has been involved in that dogfight. “Or if you’re at the other end, we’ve got a chance of going up here, he’s been promoted twice, we’ll get him in rather than risk it on someone whose had no league experience. It’s a mixture of both but there’s definitely talent in non-league.” It worked for Leicester but Vardy admits that, while those bonds will last a lifetime, it breaks his heart to see what has happened to the club now after they were relegated to League One. “It's tough. I watch as many games as I physically can and it's not nice to see,” he said. “The main thing the title win did was give the so-called smaller teams the ambition to want to try to do it and gave them a belief it can happen. “Villa are a great example. They’ve built a good team and they’re fighting at the top so they’re showing it can be done still. What you saw with Leicester is that it was the group of lads that were the right fit together. “So if you get the right group, the right players for the positions, the way you want to play and the right mentality I think anything can still happen. “Our team are all still on a group in WhatsApp . We’re always talking to each other, always keeping in touch, seeing what lads are doing. The bond we had back then was unbelievable.” ======================== Vardy admits he is a “freak” - but that is what keeps him going. The former England striker is still going strong at 39 and insists he is still not ready to hang up his boots. Vardy joined Italian club Cremonese on a one-year contract last summer but says while his legs will carry him he wants to carry on playing. Ex-Leicester striker Vardy said: “I'm just a freak, not normal. And like I said, if these legs tell me it's up then it's up, if they say they're still fine then I'll carry on. “I will carry on doing whatever I am asked. It's that simple. I wake up in the morning train, go again, the same on the match day. I give as good as I can. I’ve always said when the legs tell me it’s enough then that will be the day. “Fortunately for these boys [slaps his legs], they're still telling me they're fine at the minute. And if my legs were gone, yeah, I’d still love football, but I wouldn't put myself through that. “I’d be doing no benefits for myself and wouldn’t be doing any benefits for wherever I may be playing my football. So it's just one of them things for me when they say enough's enough then, that is finito.” Untold UK: Jamie Vardy’ available only on Netflix from 12th May Join our new WhatsApp community and receive your daily dose of Mirror Football content. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice.