Mark Bellingham is pulling on an England shirt at last.
A Debut Years in the Making
The father of England internationals Jude and Jobe is set to make his debut for the England Over-50s veterans football team in a double-header against the Republic of Ireland. The fixture takes place on Sunday, November 1, at the Elite Football Complex in Cambridgeshire.
The Over-50s kickoff is scheduled for 14h15. It will be followed by the Over-60s match at 16h15.
The ‘Non-League Pele’ Gets His Call-Up
The call-up caps a career in English non-league football. During his playing days, Bellingham turned out for at least 20 different clubs.
Mark Bellingham, father of Jude and Jobe has been called up to the England Veterans Over 50's team for their game against Republic of Ireland on November 1st.💥 pic.twitter.com/SSph1xk7Ai
His resume includes stints with Cheltenham Town, Newport County, Leamington, Stourbridge, Sutton Coldfield Town, and Bromsgrove Sporting. A scoring record across non-league divisions earned him the nickname the ‘Non-League Pele’ during his 25-year career.
Joining the Seniors World Cup Champions
The England Veterans Over-50s squad enters the fixture as reigning Seniors World Cup champions, having secured their ninth title earlier this year in Thailand.
Past squads have featured former Premier League regulars such as Gareth Barry and Lee Hendrie. Neither player is included in the matchday squad for the fixture in Cambridgeshire.
Adding to the Family Honors
For the Bellingham family, the selection adds an international playing honour for the father alongside the prominent careers of his two sons.
Jude Bellingham, 23, has established himself as a central figure for Real Madrid and the senior England national team, earning 60 caps and featuring prominently at the 2026 World Cup. Younger brother Jobe serves as a key player for the England under-21 side following his move to Borussia Dortmund.
From Roots Hall to the Agent’s Office
Beyond their respective playing careers, Mark Bellingham has maintained a hands-on role in his sons’ development and professional pathways.
He introduced Jude to football at Roots Hall as a Southend United supporter and helped establish Stourbridge Juniors. He later transitioned into an advisory role as their agent, negotiating major transfers including Jude’s £88.5m move to Real Madrid in 2023 and Jobe’s transfer to Borussia Dortmund in 2025.
Sunday marks a return to the pitch for the former West Midlands Police sergeant, who has continued to play in senior competitions since stepping away from his primary non-league career. Whether his debut will translate into international goals for the Over-50s side is unknown as the squad prepares for their meeting with the Republic of Ireland.
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