Jamie Vardy has launched his V9 Academy to give non-league footballers a chance to follow in his late career rise.

Zig Zag Productions have also agreed upon a deal to track the progress of the academy's inaugural class.

The three-part series called "Jamie Vardy's Having an Academy" will follow Vardy and a team of scouts and coaches as they try to find talented players and give them proper professional training.

"I was told I was too small, that I was not ready for the physicality of scholarship," Vardy said at a press conference at Leicester's King Power Stadium on Monday, citing his own humble beginnings.

"I don't think anyone can be told if they're good enough at 15 or 16, when you still have so many years to grow and develop. That was my reason. Probably hundreds were told the same and had to drop down as well."