The hard-working, live-wire forward notched five in his first season in the Premier League and has already overtaken that this campaign.
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But when he was caught on CCTV delivering a racial slur to a Japanese gambler at a casino during a few summer downtime, he faced perhaps the biggest challenge of his life.
The Leicester striker has made the jump from non-league to the England squad in just three years.
Vardy’s hot streak has earned him an England call-up and midfielder Schlupp says the striker’s defend-from-the-front approach is a source of inspiration for his team mates.
“But me being me, even though I knew something was wrong, I didn’t want to come off”.
“We sat down and had a chat and I just said what I thought – that what I had done was just so stupid”. Things were said on both sides, we shook hands and that was it, it was done.
“As far as I’m concerned I just want to concentrate on my football now and let my feet do the talking”.
“I regretted it massively”. I really appreciate all the backing that I had.
‘There was a lot of support out there and it was a massive learning curve.
“I don’t think there are many defenders out there that would like to play against him. Hopefully, I can now move on”.
Now he is in Hodgson’s England squad yet again, and looking for his fourth cap when they take on Lithuania in Vilnius for their final Euro 2016 Qualifier on Monday.
‘They were long days, I’ll tell you that!’ he said. “Before I signed for Fleetwood there was only training two nights of the week – Tuesday and Thursday – then a game Saturday”.
He is the latest example, along with Rickie Lambert and Chris Smalling, of players rising up through the football pyramid to play for England.
‘Before training I would stop off at the service station before we met with the lads.
“After training, I wouldn’t be getting home until 11 o’clock at night and so it was straight to bed”. And the steps have just kept coming and I need to keep that going. “This is a protector just for everyday use, I’ve got a special match one that the referees have all seen and they are happy for me to play in it”.
But, still, his star rose.
Indeed, his ability to concentrate on his football has made him something of a role model for anyone playing outside the Premier League: he has proven it is possible to make it to the top from the least likely of circumstances.
“There isn’t any secret”, he said.
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Hard work and dedication has been a hallmark of Vardy’s career, which started at boyhood club Sheffield Wednesday before taking him to Stocksbridge Park Steels, Halifax, Fleetwood and then Leicester.
