'He's just wonderful': The pride of Bellingham's home town

It's been a week for Jude Bellingham, who, after scoring two goals in 98 seconds against Mexico, has had fans calling for a knighthood, a tube station named after him and even been immortalised in chicken nuggets.

The world appears to have fallen back in love with the 23-year-old, four years after he became one of the youngest footballers ever to play at a World Cup.

His actions off the pitch are gaining as much attention, with social media videos of him giving his tracksuit top to a chilly little mascot and sending a heartfelt message to earthquake hit Venezuela, racking up millions of views.

Back home in Stourbridge, though, few are surprised he is being hailed a hero.

There were chaotic and crazy scenes at West One, a bar in Hagley near where Bellingham went to primary school, as punters packed in for Monday's clash at the Azteca Stadium.

Pints were thrown into the air as the Real Madrid star helped England to the quarter finals. Some of his schoolfriends were among the crowd and were overheard saying they'd be texting him to say congratulations.

"It was electric," said Claire Leddington, the general manager of West One. Its owners are one of the sponsors of Stourbridge FC, where Bellingham played as a child.

"We turned over a hundred people away at the door... we literally could not fit anybody else inside."

She described seeing Bellingham at the World Cup as "inspirational for the youngsters that come in".

"You just don't see someone so local, making such an impact on the world stage," she said.

"The staff, people that are coming in throughout the week are saying, I can't believe what Jude's doing. It's incredible."

"He just seems like a really nice kid."

Club secretary at Hagley Cricket Club Mark Baker remembered when Bellingham was there eight or nine years ago, he could not sit still if he was not out on the field.

"[As] soon as he batted, that was it. The other lads would look round and then five minutes later they'd be kicking a football 30 yards away."

Baker said he would tell the young Bellingham "you should be watching your team-mates".

"You could tell he just wanted to be doing things all the time."

Baker said Bellingham, who was only available about six weeks a year because of football commitments, "tried to bowl too quickly and tried to hit the ball too far, I remember".

But the club secretary recalled "as an athlete he was really good in the field, he was a natural ball player, I thought really impressive".

Bellingham's first team was Stourbridge Juniors, set up by his police officer father Mark.

He played for Birmingham City's youth side as an under-eight, before becoming the club's youngest first team player at just 16.

After just one season in with the Blues, Bellingham moved to German club Borussia Dortmund and then in June 2023, he signed for Real Madrid in a deal worth €103m (£88.5m).

After his Mexican masterclass he is being hailed as a world-class player.

Seeing Bellingham's star rise is particularly meaningful for Stourbridge shop owner Debbion Currie.

"I've always loved Stourbridge - people are lovely, but recently there's been stuff that's made me feel a little bit not welcome," she said, citing growing concerns over racism.

"So that man, coming from here, doing what he's doing, looking like my kids, he's just wonderful, He's powerful and he's confident."

Currie said he was "absolutely amazing as a footballer and a role model" who was "proud of his roots".

"For me, as a first generation, you know, born here and he being second generation, exactly like my children, we all love him, my daughter loves him... all my kids are so proud of him, and my husband, we all are.

"So I think his parents have done such a great job with their children. You know, like most of us try so hard to do. I can't say enough good."

Matt, who lives in the town, said Bellingham was the perfect representative for the West Midlands.

"He's hard-working, he's unapologetically himself, doesn't cover up his accent... he just seems like a nice guy, he seems like a very affable chap to be fair."

He, like many others, believes that Bellingham could one day lead the England squad, after Harry Kane's tenure.

"There's no-one else in that team where you look at, that is going to play 90 minutes week-in, week-out, like he is, for the team."

Bellingham's love for his roots is evident.

Earlier this year, he bought a 1.2% stake in cricket team Birmingham Phoenix, saying "I feel like I owe the city something".

In a video posted to the team's social media, he said his connection to Birmingham was something he carried with him.

"It's not just the way you talk or the accent you have, it's the values that you take from Birmingham for me," he said.

"I always felt like Birmingham was a place where everyone wanted to see everyone do well.

"I want to kind of show people, show the world, where I come from is an amazing place with amazing values, and sometimes I'll get it wrong and that's part of being a Brummie as well, I suppose."

He added: "For me, it's a huge honour to represent Birmingham on a world stage."

It's not just local people who are falling at Bellingham's feet.

Interviewed on the red carpet for the world premier of Christopher Nolan's new film, The Odyssey, actor Tom Holland was asked what he was fangirling over at the moment.

His answer? Jude Bellingham.

Wayne Rooney said he believed Bellingham's performance against Mexico was reminiscent of heroic Champions League displays from Steven Gerrard and Roy Keane.

Social media feeds were flooded with photos and footage of the young player consoling Mexico's Gilberto Mora at full time, and swapping shirts with him.

"To think this lad is only 23 years old. He shows a maturity on and off the pitch well beyond his years," one commenter said.

"He's got to be the next logical choice for captain after Kane retires," another said.

It is safe to say that although the whole nation will be cheering for Bellingham on Saturday, perhaps the loudest cheers will be heard from a very proud Stourbridge.

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