“My Mum and Dad are two huge role models of mine because of the way they’ve carried themselves, the things they’ve had to face in their own journeys”. - Jude Bellingham
Family F.C knows just how crucial a parent's role is in the development of a young child. The influence we have early on goes a long way in helping to shape the years to come.
We believe that starts with bonding and building trust through moments shared.
For Jude Bellingham, an International superstar, playing for the world’s biggest club Real Madrid, it would be easy for him to get caught up in the hype.
Champions League winner already and England’s new poster boy, we can forget sometimes that he is only 21 years old. And yet, the way he carries himself on and off the pitch belies his years.
Often in post-match interviews, ex-players are left astounded by the maturity shown. During one of those interviews, following Real Madrid’s win over Man City in the Champions League, Rio Ferdinand asked, “How is he answering these questions so eloquently?”
The answer to that question and many others surrounding Jude Bellingham can be traced back to one place.
His Mum and Dad.
So who are they?
Mark Bellingham is a retired sergeant for the West Midlands Police and was a prolific scorer in non-league football.
In a career that spanned 25 years and 22 clubs, Mark scored over 700 goals, an incredible record at any level of the game and earned him the nickname ‘non-league Pele’. 1
It certainly explains his son Jude’s eye for goal. During an interview with The FA in 2021, Jude Bellingham said, “We talk about footballing heroes, and my Dad was like my first”. 2
Since retiring from football and his work as a police officer, Mark has taken on a new authoritative role.
With two sons playing professional football; Jobe Bellingham, Jude’s younger brother, is currently doing well for Sunderland and attracting interest from the Premier League, Mark decided he and his wife Denise would be the best choice to manage their careers.
Considering the success so far, it would be hard to argue, having steered Jude Bellingham from an exciting prospect to football’s hottest property in just 5 years.
And while Mark plays a pivotal role in Jude’s career, for Jude, Mum is number 1.
“The role my mum is playing is massive. It is probably the biggest role of anyone, more than my coaches and managers, to be honest,” was Jude’s response when asked about sacrifices his mother has made for his career at his Real Madrid unveiling.
Denise Bellingham is an HR professional who handles the financial aspect for the Bellingham family, but that is not the sacrifice Jude is referring to. 3
When Jude Bellingham moved to Borussia Dortmund in 2020, at just 17, it was clear that he still needed a parental presence around him. With Jobe still playing for the Birmingham Academy, the decision was made that Mark would remain in England and Denise would move out to Germany with Jude.
That agreement has continued with his transfer to Madrid, where Jude and his Mum live in a luxury flat in the same neighbourhood where Cristiano Ronaldo owns property. 4
It has been reported that Denise still cooks Jude’s meals, makes his bed and drives him to and from training.
Their relationship cannot be overstated, with Jude declaring that having his beloved Mum around helps to keep him level headed, “Without my mum, sometimes I'd get too low with the lows or too high with the highs, and I stay pretty humble because I've got her around.”
The Bellinghams are not the first parents to have a huge impact on their child’s journey through sporting stardom.
Sir Lewis Hamilton has a strong claim to Britain’s greatest sportsman crown, having amassed the most wins and a record-equalling seven titles in Formula 1.
In the early stages of his career, his father Anthony was a prominent figure, managing Lewis from his debut in 2007 until they agreed to split in 2010. Before that, Lewis credited not just his father but his mother and stepmother as reasons for his huge success, as they all ensured he continued racing during his younger years.
Another parental success story was that of Richard and Oracene Williams, father and mother to tennis superstars Serena and Venus Williams, who recently saw their journey played out on the big screen in the hit film King Richard.
Richard and his wife Oracene guided both sisters to incredible heights, with Venus winning 7 Grand Slam titles in her career and Serena, regarded by many as the greatest female player of all time, going on to win an astonishing 23.
Growing up in Compton, California, the odds were stacked against the Williams sisters, but Richard kept their eyes on the ball (excuse the pun) throughout years of struggle to get an opportunity on the tennis circuit.
Through his determination and Venus and Serena’s undeniable talent, they eventually got their breakthrough and never looked back.
If Jude Bellingham had half the career of those icons, he would undoubtedly retire a happy man. Already off to a great start, the work his parents are doing behind the scenes is something to be admired within the football community.
Avoiding outside interference, away from agents who may not always have the player's best interest at heart is a priceless commodity for a young man whose main focus should be reaching the heights many believe he is capable of.
Continuing this trajectory, he may well write his name among the true sporting greats.
If he does, Mark and Denise Bellingham will have achieved their aim, and in turn, go down in history alongside the other parents who helped propel their children to legendary status.
Our goal is simple, we want to provide families with the opportunity to spend time together by learning the beautiful game.
Through the Family F.C app, you can access hours of fun-filled sessions that keep you and the kids active and get those all-important bonding moments in!
So why wait?
Download the app today!
