Fleetwood Town produced one of the biggest shocks in Carabao Cup history by knocking out Premier League champions Arsenal to reach the quarter-finals.

The League Two side held their nerve to secure a 5-3 penalty shootout victory following a 1-1 draw at Highbury Stadium on October 27, 2026. Since then, Fleetwood has become the talking point for many. Arsenal’s misery on a Tuesday night has turned out to be a memorable one for Fleetwood, who continue their journey in the Carabao Cup.

Although the team is currently in the 4th tier of English football, a particular name associated with the club went on to win the Premier League, the only player in the history of the club down south coast of England.

And the player is Jamie Vardy, whose remarkable journey from non-league football to becoming one of the Premier League’s most celebrated strikers remains an inspiration.

Jamie Vardy: Fleetwood Town’s Former Star Who Conquered the Premier League

Vardy represented Fleetwood Town during the 2011-12 season, arriving from Halifax Town before earning a move to Leicester City in 2012. He made a significant impact at Fleetwood, scoring 31 league goals in 36 appearances as the club secured promotion to the Football League. His performances convinced Leicester to sign him for a reported fee of around £1 million.

His career subsequently reached extraordinary heights at Leicester. Vardy became a central figure in the Foxes’ historic 2015-16 Premier League title triumph, scoring 24 goals in the campaign as Claudio Ranieri’s team defied overwhelming odds to become English champions. Leicester finished with 81 points, 10 ahead of runners-up Arsenal, losing just three of their 38 league matches.

Vardy also made history by scoring in 11 consecutive Premier League matches during that season, breaking the previous record of 10. His goals, relentless pressing and pace were crucial to Leicester’s extraordinary achievement.