Mark Bellingham, Father of England Stars, Called Up for England Over-50s Squad

Mark Bellingham, father of England internationals Jude and Jobe, has been selected for the England Veterans Over-50s squad for their upcoming match against the Republic of Ireland.

Bellingham, who was a prolific non-league striker throughout his career, scored more than 700 goals across at least 20 clubs. He earned the nickname 'Non-League Pele' during his 25-year playing career, which concluded in 2017.

The call-up marks the third member of the Bellingham family to wear the Three Lions shirt. His sons, Jude, a midfielder for Real Madrid, and Jobe, a midfielder for Borussia Dortmund, are current England representatives.

The England Veterans Over-50s team are the reigning Seniors World Cup champions, having won their ninth title earlier this year in Thailand. Former professional players such as Gareth Barry and Lee Hendrie have previously played for the squad, though they are not listed for the upcoming fixture.

Mark Bellingham, a former West Midlands Police officer, is frequently seen attending his sons' matches. He introduced Jude to football, with the England star's early experiences watching games taking place at Roots Hall, the home of Southend United.

Jude Bellingham has previously spoken about his father's influence, stating in an interview, "My dad was like my first [footballing hero]. When you go and watch him play every week in non-league, you know it's not the Premier League or anything, but seeing the way that he played and the atmosphere, it made me fall in love with football so he was probably my first hero." He added that his father provided guidance as he developed, describing their relationship as evolving from father-son to coach-player.

Mark Bellingham was instrumental in establishing Stourbridge Juniors, Jude's first club. He later transitioned to managing his sons' careers, acting as their agent and negotiating Jude's £88.5 million transfer to Real Madrid from Borussia Dortmund in 2023. He also handled Jobe's move to Dortmund from Sunderland in 2025.

While his sons have been playing in Germany, Mark Bellingham has been noted for his active role. Reports surfaced of a discussion with Dortmund sporting director Sebastian Kehl regarding Jobe's substitution during his Bundesliga debut, with German publication BILD suggesting Mark also sought a meeting with manager Niko Kovac. Following this, the club reportedly implemented a ban on family members in the dressing room.

Mark's involvement has also extended to Jude's media engagements. While Jude has made an effort to speak more extensively at recent tournaments, he had previously limited his media interactions.

Mark and Jude and Jobe's mother, Denise, are understood to have separated but maintain a close relationship. They were seen attending Jude's World Cup matches together in the United States, Canada, and Mexico during the summer.