I saw Jamie Vardy catapult Leicester City from minnows to heroes, there will never be anyone like him again

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This day has been coming but, even though it’s finally here, it’s still a shock.

After 13 glorious years at Leicester City, Jamie Vardy will leave at the end of the season.

Like me, Leicester fans are coming to terms with Vardy’s announcement. Some want statues, some want the number nine shirt retired.

Before that, though, it’s time to reflect. I’m one of the lucky ones who can say in the future: ‘I watched Leicester City’s greatest player of all time in the flesh’.

Since his arrival in May 2012, I’ve watched him grow from a player on the verge of quitting the game to become a holiday rep in Ibiza into one of the greatest strikers in English football.

Frankly, there isn’t a player like him, and there will never be one like him again.

• READ MORE: Why Jamie Vardy future after Leicester City exit confirmed will be of great concern to Jermain Defoe

Jamie Vardy’s arrival was the birth of something great at Leicester City

When he signed in 2012, Vardy was already headline news. A £1m transfer fee? For a player in non-league? You must be joking me?

No, I’m not joking. Vardy signed for what was then a record transfer fee for a player in non-league football. His first season saw the Foxes throw away a nine-point lead at the top of the table only to sneak into the Championship play-offs on the final day.

His role was minimal and he watched on from the bench, sitting alongside Harry Kane in that famous picture as they watched Troy Deeney scored that goal at Vicarage Road.

He didn’t offer much and it would’ve been of no surprise to see him not feature again. Imagine my shock when he started, and scored, in the opening day win of the following campaign against Middlesbrough. As the weeks went by, he scored more and more.

Next thing you know, Vardy and Leicester were heading for the Premier League, winning the Championship with a club-record tally of 102 points.

The story of park to pitches to Premier League stadiums was already wild enough – let alone announcing yourself by scoring one and assisting four in a crazy 5-3 win against Manchester United.

A great escape goal away at West Bromwich Albion was the catalyst for survival as the Foxes won seven of their final games next. Then, the greatest chapter of all…

Jamie Vardy has been part of everything good about Leicester City

That 2015/16 title win is one that will live in mine and Leicester fans’ memories until the end of time – but nobody deserved it more than Vardy.

The forward broke all sorts of records, including the ‘eleven, it’s heaven’ moment as he scored in 11 consecutive league games.

Lifting the Premier League title aloft, he would then go on to feature in Champions League, Europa League and Conference League runs for the Foxes.

Then, the crown jewel in a glittering career: The FA Cup.

Why the FA Cup? I hear non-Leicester fans ask. You won the Premier League, it doesn’t get much better than that?

England’s top flight had been won by the Foxes five years prior to their FA Cup triumph but after reaching four previous editions of football’s oldest cup competition and failing at the final hurdle, it felt like now or never.

Although he didn’t score, Vardy was there. He was part of the famous 2021 side that won at Wembley Stadium.

He could’ve quite easily left when the Foxes were relegated in 2023 but he stayed and won promotion back to the top flight, scoring twice on the night they were crowned champions.

Mr Leicester City. A serial winner.

It’s time to go but Jamie Vardy will never be forgotten by Leicester City

Sometimes, stories don’t have happy endings. It’s just the way it is.

Vardy deserved something great. Maybe a goal on the final day to keep the Foxes up, or even a wild dream of a second Premier League title with Leicester.

Sadly, his final chapter coincides with another relegation.

Somebody speak to the scriptwriters – this isn’t how it’s meant to end. But, maybe it was?

Like I said, Jamie Vardy epitomises everything that is good about Leicester City. Now he’s going, this part of the Foxes cycle is coming to an end.

What’s next? Who knows. One thing is certain though, there will never be another Jamie Vardy again. Both at Leicester and football itself.