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After being released by Sheffield Wednesday at the age of 16, Jamie Vardy described that very moment as ‘the lowest point’ in his life.
Like many others, he became disillusioned with the game and stopped playing before a friend persuaded him to play for Wickersley Youth in Rotherham.
In the next few months, he combined playing for Stocksbridge with back-breaking work in a carbon fibre factory for just £30 a week. Vardy initially struggled in the eighth tier of English football but soon found form.
Since his release, the now-Leicester City striker has represented England, broken records and won the Premier League title but for the majority, they will never play at the highest level.
In fact, between the ages of 13 and 16, a monumental 76% of players in the youth system drop out.
To put things into further perspective, only 180 of the 1.5 million players who are playingorganised youth football in England at any one time will make it as a Premier League pro.
To put things into further perspective, only 180 of the 1.5 million players who are playingorganised youth football in England at any one time will make it as a Premier League pro.
That’s according to Business Insider, who report that there’s only a 0.012% success rate of making it as a Premier League professional, something that both Marcus Rashford and Jesse Lingard have both achieved.
The pair have received plenty of criticism for their efforts this season, especially with Manchester United’s drop in form, but it seems they have made a real statement here with their latest Instagram posts.
