Jamie Vardy apologised for 'horrendous' Wrexham actions as he is linked to transfer

Jamie Vardy is being linked with a potential move to after his was confirmed. However, the former winner might not be as welcome as you'd expect if he makes the switch to North Wales as he is viewed as a highly controversial figure by Red Dragons' supporters.

The bad blood between Vardy and the club owned by Hollywood stars and dates back to 2011-12 season when the striker was playing for . Wrexham amassed an impressive total of 98 points in what was then known as the Blue Square Premier (now the National League), but still finished as runners up to Fleetwood after Vardy notched 31 goals.

The Welsh side's misery was compounded when they were knocked out of the play-offs in the semi-finals by . To add further salt into Wrexham wounds, Vardy avoided punishment in a crucial clash between the two title challengers despite an horrific lunge on defender Nat Knight-Percival.

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The match at Fleetwood in April 2012 finished in a 1-1 draw and saw the Cod Army confirm top spot shortly after with a whopping 103 points. Wrexham's player-manager Andy Morrell tore into Vardy after the game, labelling the challenge as "horrendous".

"I'm disappointed with a point really because I thought we could have nicked the three," Morrell told the . "There should've been a sending off and it was horrendous from Vardy. He left the floor with two feet and Nat could've got seriously injured."

Wrexham midfielder Joe Clarke later revealed that Vardy apologised for the lunge, but he and his teammates were still aggrieved that it went unpunished.

"We've looked back at it and even in the match we couldn't believe he was still on the pitch," Clarke told the . "But then the referee didn't even give a foul, which is just shocking.

"We've talked about it and there's only so much you can talk about it. It is just one of those decisions that happen, but luckily enough Nat is okay. Vardy did apologise afterwards, but still the referee has got a decision to make and he didn't do very well in that one."

Vardy went on to join in May 2012 and is the club's record Premier League scorer with 143 goals. His departure was confirmed by the Foxes on Thursday following .

Announcing the news, the club described the 38-year-old as "our greatest ever player". Vardy scored 24 times in 2015-16 as Leicester famously lifted the Premier League trophy for the first time ever.

The ex-England international also won the with the club in 2021 after defeating 1-0 at Wembley. Speculation is now mounting over his next move as Vardy has signalled he intends to continue his playing career.

Betfair have already made Wrexham one of the favourites to secure his signature. The club is currently contesting for a third successive promotion under the ownership of Reynolds and McElhenney, sitting second in League One with two games left to play.

Wrexham's star connections could prove too hard to resist for Vardy, despite the fractious history. The passage of time and the club's eventual rise out of the National League in 2023 might also have healed some wounds.

He would also be welcomed by a familiar face in former Leicester midfielder Matty James if he did join Phil Parkinson's side. However, doubts have been raised over whether he would agree to represent another British team, with The Sun linking him with a possible switch to the MLS instead.

Ex-Manchester United star has also tipped him to move abroad after being asked what advice he would give to Vardy.

Speaking on '', he said: "Look, if his body feels good then it'll come down to how he feels. These lads are so fit. He's obviously lost a yard [of pace], but I think there are opportunities that exist now in America or in other parts of the where you can go and play and you can enjoy yourself."

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