Jude Bellingham fans look forward to more highs from hometown football hero

FOOTBALL fans are looking forward to another England outing at Euro 2024 to see what Stourbridge hero Jude Bellingham does next after a nail-biting game against Slovakia in which he saved the day with an extraordinary backwards kick goal in the final minutes.

The wow moment on Sunday (June 30) was followed up by a goal by Harry Kane taking England to a 2-1 victory and through to the quarter finals which will see them play Switzerland on Saturday July 6.

In the fifth minute of extra time in an uneventful game, which was not going in England’s favour, Bellingham fans couldn’t believe their eyes as the Stourbridge-born midfielder pulled off the incredible goal - keeping England’s hopes of Euro 2024 success alive.

Bellingham also scored England’s first goal of the tournament in a match against Serbia launching the team to a 1-0 victory with a perfect header.

England’s Jude Bellingham celebrates scoring their side’s first goal of the game. Pic: Martin Rickett/PA Wire

After admitting to feeling “absolutely dead” in the next match against Slovenia, he told reporters he hoped he could reward fans with better performances going forwards, and he certainly did just that.

Sunday’s goal will go down in England footballing history.

Stourbridge resident Jim Cadman, of Duncan Edwards United, which remembers the late great Dudley footballer Duncan Edwards, described it as perhaps “the greatest escape act in the history of English Football”.

He said: “England were staring defeat in the face as Jude Bellingham ambled towards the Slovakian goal when Marc Giuhe headed on a long throw into the box – Bellingham surrounded by Slovakian defenders created a yard of space for himself and with balletic ease sent an overhead kick into the corner of the goal to take the game into extra time.

“Harry Kane scored the winning goal as England went on to win 1-0 but it will be the ‘never say die attitude of Jude Bellingham’ that will remain etched in the memories of England fans.

England's Harry Kane celebrates with Jude Bellingham after scoring their side's second goal of the game during the UEFA Euro 2024, round of 16 match at the Arena AufSchalke in Gelsenkirchen, Germany (Image: Bradley Collyer/PA Wire)

“Jude Bellingham has certainly put the football spotlight firmly back on the Black Country for the first time in more than 60 years by reviving memories of the great Duncan Edwards.

“Black Country boys Bellingham and Edwards made their full international debuts for England at Wembley in their teens - 65 years apart.

“Edwards was 18 when he scored for England in a 7-2 win over Scotland in 1955 and Bellingham was a year younger at 17 when he scored for England as they ran out 3-0 winners against Northern Ireland at Wembley in November 2020.

“Edwards signed for Manchester United in 1952 and was regarded as one of the greatest footballers in the world before his death following the Munich air disaster in February 1958.

“Jude Bellingham has already reached ‘football super stardom’ playing for Real Madrid and being voted La Liga's Player of the Season in his first year in Spain.

“However, in spite of his enormous international success - Jude Bellingham remains very proud of his Stourbridge roots and the town is beginning to feel the attention of the football world."

The mural paying tribute to England footballer Jude Bellingham, from Stourbridge. Pic courtesy of sabphotos69/Simon Beckett

Aaron Powell, Ryemarket Shopping Centre manager, concurred and said: “It’s clear to see that locals are brimming with pride at Jude’s success in the Euros.

“The spotlight has been firmly placed on Stourbridge as people celebrate his local roots and we’ve seen an increase in activity around the mural on Market Street near Waitrose with people stopping to grab a selfie or debate what the score will be this weekend!”

The England v Switzerland game kicks off at 5pm on Saturday July 6.