Fleetwood Town chairman Andy Pilley believes the case of Jamie Vardy gives hope to non-league players.

The 28-year old Leicester City striker has been called up for England's fixtures against the Republic of Ireland and Slovenia, just three years after featuring for Conference side Fleetwood.

"Who was the last player to come out of non-league and do this? Ian Wright? Charlie Austin's rise is similar," Pilley told The Express.

"It gives hope to all the non-league players. It shows there are rough diamonds out there.

"Sometimes you have go backwards to go forwards. That is what Jamie has done. He was at Sheffield Wednesday, but they released him because they said he was too small and they probably regret that now.

"It has been a remarkable story, it really has."