Jude Bellingham has been one of the standout performers at the World Cup, netting six goals to propel England to the semi-finals. On Wednesday evening at 8pm in Atlanta, Thomas Tuchel’s side will face reigning champions Argentina, aiming to reach England’s first World Cup final since 1966. The victor will go on to meet either France or Spain in the final at the New York New Jersey Stadium on Sunday.
At just 23, Real Madrid star Bellingham has already solidified his place among the world’s football elite, scoring twice each in crucial wins against Mexico and Norway.
But nearly 30 years ago, this summer marked a different milestone in the Bellingham family story — when Jude’s father, Mark Bellingham, had a brief spell at Cheltenham Town.
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Mark, a speedy striker reputed to run 100 meters in 11 seconds even in football boots, joined Cheltenham from Chelmsford City ahead of the 1996/97 Southern League Premier Division season. Balancing football with academia, Mark was entering his final year of studying war and sports studies at Wolverhampton University, having found the commute from the Midlands to Essex challenging.
Before Cheltenham, Mark spent his youth on the books at Watford and Charlton Athletic and trialed with Leyton Orient. He had impressed by scoring for Chelmsford against Cheltenham at 18 in March 1995.
Cheltenham’s manager Chris Robinson signed him after witnessing his potential. Mark scored in pre-season friendlies against Evesham United and a Southampton side featuring Matt Le Tissier. His competitive debut saw him assist in a 2-0 home win over Sittingbourne. His only league goal for Cheltenham came on August 31, 1996, putting the Robins ahead in a 3-1 victory at Gravesend & Northfleet.
Despite moments of promise, Mark made only eight starts and was loaned to Newport AFC in December 1996 to gain regular playing time. Robinson commented, “He’s a good lad and very promising… but we needed a goalscorer, and he needed a run of games to find his form.”
Following two months at Newport, Mark moved to Halesowen Town as part of a transfer deal involving Keith Knight in early 1997, shortly after Steve Cotterill became Cheltenham’s new manager.
Mark’s football journey extended long beyond Cheltenham, as he scored over 700 goals in non-league football playing for teams like West Midlands Police, Sutton Coldfield Town, Bromsgrove Rovers, and Stourbridge, continuing to play well into his 40s.
Meanwhile, Jude’s younger brother Jobe, aged 20, is making his mark at Borussia Dortmund and has captained England’s Under-21 squad following stints at Birmingham City and Sunderland, continuing the family’s proud footballing legacy.