Jude’s the obscure over memory of historic goal
BOY-WONDER Jude Bellingham will never forget his first senior appearance at St Andrew’s – but says his history-making moment is just a blur.
Bellingham scored the winner against Stoke City on Saturday to become Birmingham City’s youngestever scorer.
The 16-year-old Blues fan was mobbed by team-mates after they finally caught up with his celebratory run, which ended with a knee slide in front of the Tilton Road End.
“I can’t even remember (the goal), I just remember everyone’s faces and the celebration,” the academy graduate said.
“The shot, I scuffed it a bit and it looked like it was going straight down the keeper’s throat. It was definitely on target!
“It took a huge deflection off the defender and just slotted perfectly into the net. After that, I was off!
“To score the winner in front of my fans in the Tilton is a dream come true of mine since I was seven when I joined the academy.
“It’s every boy from Birmingham’s dream – to put the ball in the back of that net and go to celebrate with the fans.”
Unbridled joy, as Blues grabbed a win from the jaws of defeat, proved too much for a handful of supporters who rushed from their seats to celebrate with the teen hero.
Stewards ensured they were stopped from entering the field of play, although Bellingham “wouldn’t have minded” the odd boisterous hug.
“I’m a fan myself so to score a goal like that, which was not only my first, but wins the game, I’m delighted,” he said.
“You never really think you’re going to score in a game like that. You’re just hoping to have a good performance and impress the fans and the manager.
“To actually get the winning goal is
just a special feeling, a crazy feeling.”
At just 16 years and 63 days, Bellingham etched his name into the history books by becoming the club’s youngster goalscorer, eclipsing a record long held by royal blue legend Trevor Francis.
“I’m honoured,” added Bellingham. “I’m a fan of the club. I love the club.
“When great players do great things and you can match it and beat it is just a feeling I can’t describe. I’m over the moon.”
Meanwhile, fresh from writing his name into Blues’ folklore, Bellingham is now on national service.
The attacker is part of the England Under-17 squad which has travelled to Poland.
Managed by new head coach Kevin Betsy, the Young Lions will play three matches in the Syrenka Cup in Poland, starting with Finland on Friday.
Whoever wins that game will take on the winners of the tie between Austria and Romania on Sunday, while the third and final match will be against either Poland, Georgia, Norway or Switzerland, on their results.
“It’s an exciting year for this age group, many of the players have been with the national team since Under15, but we’re also pleased to welcome some new players who have been doing very well at their clubs,” said Betsy.
“We’ll continue to give players experience throughout the season so when it comes to Euro qualifiers in March, competition for places will be high and the squad will all be familiar with the England pathway.”
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