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From Nowhere, My Story
Jamie Vardy, the free-scoring talisman behind Leicester City’s Premier League Champion title, has become a modern against-the-odds footballing hero the world over. Rejected as a teenager by his boyhood club Sheffield Wednesday, Jamie thought his chances had gone. But from playing pub football and earning £30 a week at Stocksbridge Park Steels while working in a factory, his impressive performances and hard work saw him rise again. After successful spells at Halifax Town and then Fleetwood Town, he finally moved to Championship team Leicester City. They gained their dream promotion to the Premier League and after surviving relegation by the skin of their teeth, came the fairy-tale season where a team arose together and everything clicked. Vardy's incredible 22 goals, including setting the record as the first player to score in 11 consecutive Premier League matches, helped Leicester City beat odds of 5000-1 to become Champions. Defying all expectations it is simply one of the greatest sporting stories of all time.
“Even now there are moments when I shake my head at the madness of it all – going from the factory floor and playing Sunday morning pub football with my mates, to scoring for my country against the World Cup winners in Berlin. It's the stuff of dreams. It hasn't always been an easy journey, some doubted that I was capable, and at times I was probably guilty of not helping myself, but nobody can question my passion for football or my commitment once I set foot on the pitch. There is so much that people don’t know and I look forward to sharing all of that and more in what I hope will be an entertaining and inspiring story.” Jamie Vardy
“Even now there are moments when I shake my head at the madness of it all – going from the factory floor and playing Sunday morning pub football with my mates, to scoring for my country against the World Cup winners in Berlin. It's the stuff of dreams. It hasn't always been an easy journey, some doubted that I was capable, and at times I was probably guilty of not helping myself, but nobody can question my passion for football or my commitment once I set foot on the pitch. There is so much that people don’t know and I look forward to sharing all of that and more in what I hope will be an entertaining and inspiring story.” Jamie Vardy
336 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 2016
77 people are currently reading
664 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 84 reviews
February 3, 2022
Jamie Vardy is the modern day "Cinderella Man" at the center of Leicester City's modern day "Cinderella Story". His journey to being a Premier League winner has undoubtedly had one of the most interesting journeys in sporting history and it's very inspirational. He shares his lows and highs and everything in between in these pages and leaves nothing unsaid. I have tremendous respect for him as he has never become bigger than the game and after reading this you can see that he is someone who remembers where he came from and is enjoying every bit of his well deserved success. Great read told in his own words.
November 2, 2018
They say that you can write a book only if you have something to say. Jamie Vardy has definitely something to say.
From being rejected by his beloved football team, the team he supported since his birth, to top scorer with Leicester City Premier League winner.
Not an easy and ordinary journey, but definitely an inspirational one.
Jamie Hardy is more than a football player, neither a bad boy nor a saint. He's just a man, warts and all.
From being rejected by his beloved football team, the team he supported since his birth, to top scorer with Leicester City Premier League winner.
Not an easy and ordinary journey, but definitely an inspirational one.
Jamie Hardy is more than a football player, neither a bad boy nor a saint. He's just a man, warts and all.
June 2, 2024
This is everything I should have expected from a Jamie Vardy memoir and one of the funniest athletes' memoirs I've read — most elite athletes kind of peak by age 25, and Vardy's unusual career path, besides being inspiring, also makes for a much more entertaining book than most.
Anyway. I've highlighted about 30 different passages in this book, from "The designated driver was whoever hadn't been partying the previous night, so it was never me" to "and here's how my friend Rans got my signature tattooed on my arse." It really conveys the sense of close-knit camaraderie and hope that pervaded THAT spectacular Leicester season. I also appreciated the stunning lack of self awareness of jumping from describing a full-on depressive crisis to saying "The club wanted me to see a psychologist and I said, what the fuck for?" all in the same chapter.
4/5. Extremely fun read.
Anyway. I've highlighted about 30 different passages in this book, from "The designated driver was whoever hadn't been partying the previous night, so it was never me" to "and here's how my friend Rans got my signature tattooed on my arse." It really conveys the sense of close-knit camaraderie and hope that pervaded THAT spectacular Leicester season. I also appreciated the stunning lack of self awareness of jumping from describing a full-on depressive crisis to saying "The club wanted me to see a psychologist and I said, what the fuck for?" all in the same chapter.
4/5. Extremely fun read.
February 25, 2021
Most fun sports book I have read in years. My son and I read this one together. The story of a man working in a factory, eating McDonald's, Dominos Pizza, wearing an ankle tracker for an assault conviction for a bar fight, and going to the bar with his mates every night at AGE 25. It is rare one gets the perspective of a working class man living an every-day working class life. It is also rare to find a subject that knows he is obnoxious, yet seems at peace with it and unapologetic about almost everything. I somehow felt happy for him while disliking him at the end of the book. His rise from working at the factory to winning the premier leauge seemed normal. He got hurt, he lost his confidence, he doubted himself, he dissolved skittles into vodka, but he made it through. Not a nice man, or good man, but an interesting one.
November 27, 2024
Little quick reread. Not usually a fan of autobiographies really but really enjoyable. Probably the most interesting story in recent English football, and an amazing character. Really enjoyed this and it really makes you feel connected to the Vardy story, what a character, what a player and what a journey. Definitely up there as the footballer you would be picking to go on a night out with. Read this on the flight to zante a few years ago and it’s always stuck in my head and it’s honestly very well written for what it is.
September 19, 2020
Truly one of "the greatest stories ever told"... LCFC's premier league win story will be something that we'll tell our future generations about as the David we all got behind and wanted them to finish off a fairy tale that we only hear about in stories. The world is a dark and cruel place, which makes no sense, always has been and always will be. But during that season, LCFC's story just put a little bit of hope into everyone's heart. Except for Tottenham fans of course...
April 27, 2025
The greatest underdog story in the history of the premier league! Leicester City’s title winning season was remarkable.
Jamie Vardy was their talisman, he goes into great detail about his early career and how late in his career he really got going.
Nice easy read.
Jamie Vardy was their talisman, he goes into great detail about his early career and how late in his career he really got going.
Nice easy read.
January 5, 2022
7/10
En veldig interessant historie som gir håp til de som kanskje føla at muligheten førr å oppnå drømmen har gått fra dem. Skal nevnes at det e litt samme "probleman" som med Modric sin biografi kor det ikke e så jævla nøye kordan molekyl i venstrefoten han brukte til å score mot U5 laget til Sheffield Wednesday. Veit det e en fotballbok, men styrken til alle disse bøkern e de virkelig store kampan, hendelsa utafør bana som fikk dem dit og folkan han møt på veien. Glad at hovedfokuset ligg der, men noen kampresultata kunne vært kutta, men på samme tid halve boka e jo nesten at han Vardy drikk pils så ka kan æ egentlig forvent av forfatterskapet?
En veldig interessant historie som gir håp til de som kanskje føla at muligheten førr å oppnå drømmen har gått fra dem. Skal nevnes at det e litt samme "probleman" som med Modric sin biografi kor det ikke e så jævla nøye kordan molekyl i venstrefoten han brukte til å score mot U5 laget til Sheffield Wednesday. Veit det e en fotballbok, men styrken til alle disse bøkern e de virkelig store kampan, hendelsa utafør bana som fikk dem dit og folkan han møt på veien. Glad at hovedfokuset ligg der, men noen kampresultata kunne vært kutta, men på samme tid halve boka e jo nesten at han Vardy drikk pils så ka kan æ egentlig forvent av forfatterskapet?
April 17, 2022
An excellent read taking you from the early days following release from Sheffield Wednesday aged 18 through to (spoiler alert) the league title in 2016. There’s a very brief epilogue which references the Euro 2016 campaign which I’d have liked to read a little more insight into, especially after recalling Jamie coming off the bench to net against Wales en route to a group match victory.
Overall, Jamie is honest, and does not try to dress up his very working-class riots and pretend to be something he is not. I respect this. Jamie is also quite reflective of some of his mistakes and the less savoury incidents in his career. An update with the Rebecca Vardy vs Colleen Rooney episode would be amusing from his perspective.
Worth a read, especially for the £0.99 bargain I got it for.
Overall, Jamie is honest, and does not try to dress up his very working-class riots and pretend to be something he is not. I respect this. Jamie is also quite reflective of some of his mistakes and the less savoury incidents in his career. An update with the Rebecca Vardy vs Colleen Rooney episode would be amusing from his perspective.
Worth a read, especially for the £0.99 bargain I got it for.
May 15, 2017
Interesting insight into football behind the scenes. Di
May 21, 2022
Geðveik bók þurfið að lesa
Read
February 16, 2025Wasn’t really my choice to read this but I did actually enjoy it more than I expected
April 2, 2025
Chat shit get banged
September 14, 2021
Chat shit, get banged!!!superlove this book. Very straight away. Very Vardy.
October 20, 2016
I'm fairly new to soccer but the fact that this guy shares my last name was the reason I got into it in the first place. It was great to hear his story and while I felt it could've been a little shorter, it was a good read.
One of the greatest takeaways from this book is that I learned more about how English football works. That's a pretty big takeaway. Very inspiring story!
One of the greatest takeaways from this book is that I learned more about how English football works. That's a pretty big takeaway. Very inspiring story!
December 14, 2019
Good, straightforward honest recollection
Most football stories are the same old tired, boring expected blowing of smoke up their own ass stories. This is different, self deprecating, honest and as a Leicester fan a fantastic insight into the run up to that fantastic season 2015/16. Excellent book, funny and insightful to non league football.
Most football stories are the same old tired, boring expected blowing of smoke up their own ass stories. This is different, self deprecating, honest and as a Leicester fan a fantastic insight into the run up to that fantastic season 2015/16. Excellent book, funny and insightful to non league football.
July 19, 2023
Il 2 maggio 2016 si è compiuta una delle più grandi imprese sportive del nuovo millennio, e forse la più grande nel mondo del calcio: il Leicester, squadra partita con l’obiettivo di non retrocedere in seconda divisione, vince la Premier League. Per chi s’intende di calcio, sarebbe come immaginare il Palermo far lo stesso nella nostra Serie A. Con la differenza che quello inglese è davvero un campionato iper-competitivo, pieno di clubs milionari (alcuni, miliardari) costruiti apposta per primeggiare. Complici bravura, fortuna e forse anche spinta mediatica di un mondo, come il nostro, nostalgico di favole, l’impresa è riuscita sotto la guida di due condottieri: uno è l’allenatore italiano Claudio Ranieri, l’altro il 29enne attaccante Jamie Vardy. Quest’ultimo capace tra l’altro di segnare in undici partite di fila, realizzando un record nel calcio d’Oltremanica.
‘Dal nulla‘ èjamie-vardy-dal-nulla la sua autobiografia, tradotta in Italia nel giro di un paio di mesi, nemmeno fosse l’ultimo romanzo di Roth. Classico racconto di ‘uno che ce l’ha fatta‘, dall’infanzia in una famiglia operaia a Sheffield, i primi calci al pallone in strada, il sogno di diventare giocatore professionista realizzato dopo anni di gavetta. Fin qui ordinaria amministrazione da romanzo strappalacrime. A distinguerlo da altri è la schiettezza (o sfacciataggine) con cui Vardy ammette la conduzione di abitudini private poco consone al mestiere che lo rende ricco: su tutte, il fumo e l’alcool. Non il massimo del didascalismo, da parte di un libro che sembra concepito appositamente per questo; e che in extremis rende tale lettura meno orrenda di molte che si trovano in giro. Ormai ci accontentiamo con poco.
“Talk shit, get banged”
‘Dal nulla‘ èjamie-vardy-dal-nulla la sua autobiografia, tradotta in Italia nel giro di un paio di mesi, nemmeno fosse l’ultimo romanzo di Roth. Classico racconto di ‘uno che ce l’ha fatta‘, dall’infanzia in una famiglia operaia a Sheffield, i primi calci al pallone in strada, il sogno di diventare giocatore professionista realizzato dopo anni di gavetta. Fin qui ordinaria amministrazione da romanzo strappalacrime. A distinguerlo da altri è la schiettezza (o sfacciataggine) con cui Vardy ammette la conduzione di abitudini private poco consone al mestiere che lo rende ricco: su tutte, il fumo e l’alcool. Non il massimo del didascalismo, da parte di un libro che sembra concepito appositamente per questo; e che in extremis rende tale lettura meno orrenda di molte che si trovano in giro. Ormai ci accontentiamo con poco.
“Talk shit, get banged”
May 8, 2025
Inspiring lad and journey. As always quotes with no context whatsoever.
"I just wanted to kick a ball and get a smile back on my face."
"There was only one solution- I had to play under somebody else's name."
"He set the benchmark for everyone else. I left Ian for dead that session, and I think that helped me make my mark"
"One of the opposition lads turned to Brett, our captain, and simply said,'Where the f is he going?'"
"I'm lucky in that whatever I did off the field never seemed to affect my performance. I was always full of running, loaded with aggression and prepared to go toe-to-toe with a defender."
"I wasn't sure how I felt about being worth the same as a couple of benches and a few bags of cement"
"think it wasn't just my goals but my pace that surprised people"
"N'Golo Kante. Job done."
"Opposition analysis has always been a big thing during my time at Leicester, but Claudio is absolutely meticulous."
"There I was at the age of 29, after spending almost a decade in non-league football, holding the Premier League trophy above my head"
"Playing non-league football brought me back"
"I might be 29 but I've only been a professional footballer for 4 years, so my legs have got plenty of running left in them"
"I just wanted to kick a ball and get a smile back on my face."
"There was only one solution- I had to play under somebody else's name."
"He set the benchmark for everyone else. I left Ian for dead that session, and I think that helped me make my mark"
"One of the opposition lads turned to Brett, our captain, and simply said,'Where the f is he going?'"
"I'm lucky in that whatever I did off the field never seemed to affect my performance. I was always full of running, loaded with aggression and prepared to go toe-to-toe with a defender."
"I wasn't sure how I felt about being worth the same as a couple of benches and a few bags of cement"
"think it wasn't just my goals but my pace that surprised people"
"N'Golo Kante. Job done."
"Opposition analysis has always been a big thing during my time at Leicester, but Claudio is absolutely meticulous."
"There I was at the age of 29, after spending almost a decade in non-league football, holding the Premier League trophy above my head"
"Playing non-league football brought me back"
"I might be 29 but I've only been a professional footballer for 4 years, so my legs have got plenty of running left in them"
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 7, 2022
One day, I happened upon this book. It looked interesting to me, so I decided to give it a try. Just kidding.
I am a Leicester supporter, and Jamie Vardy is one of my favorite soccer players. His story is truly inspirational. As this book was told from his point of view, I got a lot of interesting glimpses into his life. Vardy, as a young boy, was a big fan of Sheffield Wednesday and David Hirst. He joined the Wednesday academy, but as a teenager, he was rejected by them because they thought he was too small to play the professional game. No one during Vardy's time working as a factory worker and semi=professional soccer player, Vardy least of all, could have imagined that in a few years he someday be holding a Premier League championship trophy and a Premier League record.
Vardy acknowledges that though his road was very long, but he wouldn't have changed a thing. With the last sentence of the book, Vardy closes his autobiography by writing: "That hunger, passion and desire that I take onto the pitch with me is a product of where I've come from, and I hope my experiences can inspire others to believe that rejection can be a start, not the end, of your journey."
I am a Leicester supporter, and Jamie Vardy is one of my favorite soccer players. His story is truly inspirational. As this book was told from his point of view, I got a lot of interesting glimpses into his life. Vardy, as a young boy, was a big fan of Sheffield Wednesday and David Hirst. He joined the Wednesday academy, but as a teenager, he was rejected by them because they thought he was too small to play the professional game. No one during Vardy's time working as a factory worker and semi=professional soccer player, Vardy least of all, could have imagined that in a few years he someday be holding a Premier League championship trophy and a Premier League record.
Vardy acknowledges that though his road was very long, but he wouldn't have changed a thing. With the last sentence of the book, Vardy closes his autobiography by writing: "That hunger, passion and desire that I take onto the pitch with me is a product of where I've come from, and I hope my experiences can inspire others to believe that rejection can be a start, not the end, of your journey."
June 10, 2017
An enjoyable 3.5 stars. I read this book comfortably and found myself engaged. The insight and honesty into the life of someone who has played at all levels was intriguing. I would say that I feel it's not the most well written in terms of bringing out the best of Vardy. Here I'm comparing the book to that of Steven Gerrard which I felt really gave a good backstory and dug a bit deeper. I would highly recommend reading this book in 5-10years time as I'm sure reliving Leicester's 15/16 season then will be an absolute pleasure but for now it was still a bit current for myself, which made for easy reading but also too away from the other excitement a little. Will look forward to reading again a few years down the line.
August 19, 2019
Passion. Hardwork. Belief. Absolutely amazed by this book and his story. From being eight divisions below the EPL to winning it, its literally 'From Nowhere'. The book is a very humble and honest story of his growth and about his support system through the growth. From a factory worker to a premier league champion. He also talks about how being famous has it's own benefits and its disadvantages as well, especially in the form of media who have absolutely no sense of private space sometimes, very true to be honest. As the book goes on, you can see and feel how each of his living conditions and playing conditions changed throughout his growth. Absolute fairytale to be honest but one that feels well earned and well deserved. Inspirational stuff
September 17, 2020
The story of Jamie Vardy - a man with natural talent for the game, but not always the right attitude or guidance. As the title suggests, Jamie grew up with very little. He was a working class man from a working class family. But a passion and hunger for football saw him playing at youth level with his Sheffield Wednesday, the team he supports. But after a turbulent childhood with rejection from several areas, Jamie settled for the working man’s life. But after impressive displays as a semi-professional, Jamie finally got his big chance. A true underdog story of a man who never gave up his passion, now reaping the long-term rewards of his hard word. A fantastic read that really hits home and will leave you with nothing but respect and admiration for Jamie and his achievements.
January 19, 2020
Immensely enjoyable and very readable, the title 'From Nowhere' succinctly sums up the amazing 'Boy's Own' story of Jamie Vardy. Really, his story could have come from the Football Comics I devoured as a kid.
I think just about the whole world became Leicester fans in that magical season when, 5000-1 against, they became Premier League Champions and Jamie Vardy epitomised the spirit that took them to the top. In his biography talks very candidly of the good times and the bad and this honesty is very endearing.
Even if you're not a football fan this is a great read.
I think just about the whole world became Leicester fans in that magical season when, 5000-1 against, they became Premier League Champions and Jamie Vardy epitomised the spirit that took them to the top. In his biography talks very candidly of the good times and the bad and this honesty is very endearing.
Even if you're not a football fan this is a great read.
June 6, 2021
Jamie Vardy: My Story... what a ride! I had an absolutely amazing time reading this book. TO give some context, I am a very passionate person when it comes to person. I've seen and learned about a lot of different players throughout my life. Jamie Vardy really stood out from the others. Unlike usual players who go pro at a very young age, Jamie Vardy first became a professional in his late 20s. His transition from a factory worker to a eventual Premier League champion was just simply an unbelievable story. It really made me rethink how miracles and the will to not give up until the end.
January 9, 2023
Might be biased, because I’m a Leicester fan.
Jamie Vardy’s story plays out better than any movie. Guy Ritchie couldn’t write a screen play in comparison.
The fact that his core group of buddies showed up to most of his games, sometimes in costume, as he climbed the football leagues in England is legendary. Truly inspiring tale of grit, self belief and perseverance.
Jamie Vardy’s story plays out better than any movie. Guy Ritchie couldn’t write a screen play in comparison.
The fact that his core group of buddies showed up to most of his games, sometimes in costume, as he climbed the football leagues in England is legendary. Truly inspiring tale of grit, self belief and perseverance.
November 26, 2018
Humble
I don’t often read other teams biographies, but I thought I would give Jamie Vardy’s a try & glad I did.
What a humble and honest account of his life & caster. He can from no where to achieve everything he did. Great read.
I don’t often read other teams biographies, but I thought I would give Jamie Vardy’s a try & glad I did.
What a humble and honest account of his life & caster. He can from no where to achieve everything he did. Great read.
July 22, 2019
Эта книга - отличная возможность узнать об одной из главных футбольных сенсаций последних десятков лет. Вспомнить и ещё раз пережить самую большую футбольную сказку, которую мне довелось увидеть - невероятный «Лестер» с Джейми Варди.
February 26, 2020
While am a huge fan, I think this book highlighted the recklessness and outside effect more than necessary,
While I was expecting more about the struggle and maintaining the motivation, the insecure moment in the player life .
I've expected better than this, hugely disappointed
While I was expecting more about the struggle and maintaining the motivation, the insecure moment in the player life .
I've expected better than this, hugely disappointed
May 14, 2020
This was a really good book about a soccer player that did not have everything come easily to him. He struggled with alcoholism and not being able to make it to the top level of soccer but he never gave up and now is one of the best players in the world.
October 26, 2020
As I have read it below, this is quite similar to Cinderella Man's story. Inspiring and heartwarming. I think this book is not only for football fans, but for sports fans in general. Well done, Jamie. Top goalscorer, excellent professional, and amazing human being.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 84 reviews