Jamie Vardy reveals exact text message England players receive when called up to the national team

Jamie Vardy revealed the exact text message England players receive whenever they are called up to play for the Three Lions.

Vardy, who played in Non-League until he made the jump to the Championship after a £1 million move to Leicester in 2012, received his very first call up at the end of the 2014/15 season.

The striker was 28 when he was called up to play for his country alongside fellow newcomers Charlie Austin and Tom Heaton ahead of games with the Republic of Ireland and Slovenia.

He had been out shopping for holiday clothes with wife Rebekah and preparing for a rest on the beach when he was stunned by a text message from an unknown number informing him of his inclusion.

Feeling it to be a prank at first, Vardy felt as though the message "seemed to go on forever" and in his book, 'From Nowhere, My Story', the Premier League Golden Boot touched on the essay that England players read when they are told they have made the senior squad.

Jamie Vardy made his debut against Ireland on 7 June 2015. Image: Getty

The message opened by confirming selection to the squad and proceeded to inform players of the schedule and travel arrangements, as well as telling them specifically what they needed to bring for the upcoming camp.

England players receive same message when they are called up to squad

In his autobiography, Vardy recalled: "It was sent on the 21 May 2015 at 12:05 pm and read, 'This is to confirm you have been selected in the England senior squad for games against the Republic of Ireland on Sunday 7 June in Dublin, and Slovenia on Sunday 14 June in Ljubljana.

"'The squad will meet up at St George's Park on Wednesday 3 June at 12:30 for lunch. The team will be flying on to Dublin on the Saturday before the match on the Sunday.

"After the Republic of Ireland game, you will be able to return home. The squad will meet up at the Grove on Wednesday 10 June at 12:30 in preparation for the game against Slovenia.

"'The team will fly out on the Saturday ahead of the game on the Sunday. We return home immediately after the game. Players need to bring their passport but will not require an England suit.

"'You will need to bring boots, two pairs of each type of match boots - ie studs and molds, shinpads and trainers. Please report in your Nike tracksuit with maroon top and navy bottoms, and maroon Nike polo shirt from the previous get-together if you have one. And bring with you your Nike luggage if this has previously been issued to you.

"'Please let us know as soon as you can if you will need a car to pick you up on Wednesday morning. We will be in touch in regards to your transport arrangements.'"

Jamie Vardy went on to play 26 times for his country. Image: Getty

Vardy, who will be a free agent and has been linked with a number of summer moves, made his debut as a substitute against Ireland and was entitled to a one-off £100,000 payment as a result.

He went on to make 26 appearances for England, scoring seven goals.

The 38-year-old appeared at both the European Championships and World Cup before stepping aside from international football in 2018 and focusing on Leicester.

In 500 games for the Foxes, Vardy scored 200 goals and was a key part of the side which won the Premier League and FA Cup.