Jamie Vardy: The Boy From Nowhere

by Frank Worrall

It was the 5000-1 bet. An impossible dream, or so everyone thought. But Leicester City really are Premier League champions, and Jamie Vardy has played a pivotal part in their historic win. Having spent most of his career in the Conference, playing for a Premier League team seemed improbable at best. However, since signing with Leicester City in 2012, Vardy and his team have experienced a meteoric rise. Leicester’s incredible feat has transcended ordinary sports coverage, and newspapers and sports channels around the world have devoted headlines to the team as the world’s media has descended onto the East Midlands. In the age of the "boy wonder" soccer player trained by an academy since childhood, Vardy’s story is truly refreshing and, thanks to his pivotal role in Premier League history, he has suddenly become one of the sport’s most recognized names. The book is completely up-to-date to include the moment Leicester City finally sealed the Premier League title, as a country rejoiced with them and the world watched in wonder.

Genres: Football, Nonfiction, Biography

288 pages, Paperback

Published August 1, 2016

Reviews

[Justin · Rating 2 out of 5]

This is a strange book. I get the sense Worrall needed to rush it to press immediately after Vardy's goal-scoring streak (although the book does include some quick comments on the team's championship, several points in the book mention it going to press midseason). The first few chapters are interesting, but then it gets wandering. There's no inside look and no interviews for the book. Worrall mostly collects reports, including news stories and online conversations, meaning most of the book reads like a giant report rather than a book.

It also contains tangents that I can only assume are there to make a short bio into a book-length project (this include backgrounds of some of LC's best players, the team's history in European play, and other non-league players who found EPL success). It becomes repetitive and could have used more attentive editing.

I read the last 2/3 of this as a skim, and I don't see this one being of much interested beyond serious Vardy/LC fans.

[Zach Wright · Rating 3 out of 5]

A remarkable sporting feat, but please find “Justin’s” review below and I feel exactly the same. The book wandered at time, and seemed to be made from reports with no actual interviews.

Still a freak for any type of sports underdog story, and being from North America and a footy fan, I can’t imagine a competitive in a sport over here.

[Kelvin Zhou · Rating 2 out of 5]

It’s an amazing rise for Vardy from non league to winning the title of the echelons of the British football league and representing England. That was no mean feat. However the book is not well written as there are a lot of repetition and pretty much you get the gist of it midway through.

[Juuso Tall · Rating 2 out of 5]

Kirja on todella hätäisesti tehty, samoja asioita toistetaan luvusta toiseen. Kirjan jäsentely on myös hyvin kummallinen ja suomennos luokaton.

[Tim · Rating 1 out of 5]

Funny how some books can unexpectedly evoke emotions in you. This book made me feel absolutely raging!

It started so promising... The first 20 pages detailed a brief summary of the first decade of his career. Then... Nothing?!!

A chapter dedicated to Emile Heskey, another dedicated to Gary Lineker, and a few more chapters detailed the recent careers of Kevin Phillips, Ian Wright and Charlie Austin.

The rest of the book discussed why Vardy should be selected for the England Euro 2016 squad and a summary of Leicester City's 2013/14 and 2015/16 seasons.

Where were the insights? Where was the rich tapestry, the history of Vardy's life? I didnt learn anything from this book - other than some random fans views "John on twitter said..." Interspersed with opinions of journalists - the same press that repeatedly wrote Leicester off all season. Not sure I'm that interested in what they have to say!

And what does it take to employ a decent proof reader?!! So disappointed and almost a DNF - and thats coming from a passionate LCFC fan!!

[David Laden · Rating 4 out of 5]

Frank Worrall's biography on Jamie Vardy was very good. His recollections of from when Jamie was first released from his boyhood club at 16 up until his biggest season at Leicester City, where they won title. He goes in depth about Jamie Vardy's goal-scoring record and his accomplishments during his career. The one thing I would change about this book would be for Worrall to go less in depth about Leicester City's history and more about the legendary 5000-1 odd title winning season and Jamie Vardy's impact on the team ad their incredible feat. Overall, Good Read and I hope to read more books by this author

[Evelyn · Rating 3 out of 5]

Sometimes repetitive but the basic story is an interesting one and Frank Worrall gives some insight into a footballer who appeared to come from nowhere to lead Leicester City to the top of the Premier League,

[Book · Rating 5 out of 5]

Brilliant story how a average guy started from the bottom of the ladder, to the principal of the game. Excellent story if you like football stuff.

[Daniel Castle · Rating 3 out of 5]

Promising first half but a poor second half. Great story but too repetitive.