Written 04. Aug. 2024
To know one’s story is to know their history. Well, for Jude Bellingham, his story began at Birmingham City FC.
His story is one for the history books and although many of us began hearing of him in the last 4 years, his story at Birmingham city was carefully written from what position he would play to the shirt number he would wear.
At age 7, he joined the pre-academy under 8’s and just like the rest of the kids was good at games and enjoyed it.
BCFC quickly became aware of the endless goals he was scoring in the under 9s and 10s. They were also aware of the problems from pushing a kid too hard at their sport. Nevertheless, Bellingham was handed the challenge.
He was put in the Under 11s game against Nottingham Forest much to his reluctance since he wanted to play with his age mates. Within the first half of the game, Bellingham scored 15 goals alone immediately cementing his place in the under 11s team.
Coach Mike Dodds, who Belllingham attributes as the most impactful on his tactical and technical development, coached the youngster in his first season then again in the Under 12s. Here, they decided together his shirt number 22 since Dodds let him know he could play all midfield positions 4, 8, and 10 which makes up the iconic 22.
As he progressed, Jude’s education was also a priority to which BCFC were very involved. Despite this, some school days had to be missed so that football opportunities would not miss him. His drive, hunger, and single-mindedness were highlighted by his coaches and this was demonstrated on the pitch.
From his fast pace to his fresh style of play, BCFC called him at the age of 14 to play for the under 18s. Here, he met Coach Steve Spooner who he deems as very influential in his football journey. Bellingham was shortly promoted to the under 23s and again to the first team.
Before Bellingham, there was Trevor Francis, a blues icon who made his record breaking debut at 16 years and 139 days in 1970. This club record was finally broken 49 years later by Bellingham who made his debut for the first team at 16 years and 38 days.
Again, in the EFL, a match against Stoke city, he was subbed in the second half, and scored the winning goal. Another club record making him the youngest goal scorer ever at BCFC.
This set the trend of him being part of the starting 11 in most games, with BCFC gradually moving him from left winger to central midfielder as he became more comfortable and confident.
His excellence on the pitch did not go unnoticed in November 2019, when he received the ‘EFL young player of the month’ award. This time around, major clubs had their eyes on the young talent. But, it was Borussiaa Dortmund who succeeded with an offer of £25 million; another record breaker making Bellingham the most expensive transfer at his age of 17.
Bellingham’s 9 year run with Birmingham City came to an end in 2020 and Birmingham City retired his number 22 shirt in respect and recognition of what Bellingham did and brought to the club.
Bellingham’s story continued at Borussia Dortmund, and now continues at Real Madrid, where he wears the number 5 shirt. A shirt his idol Zinedine Zidane wore.
