I've got a day off work to watch the Champions League.
Daniel is one of the many hometown fans of Stourbridge-born footballer Jude Bellingham, who will be playing in the Champions League Final on Saturday night.
Bellingham, who has been celebrated for his achievements including being voted the 2022-23 Bundesliga Player of the Season and earning 29 England caps, is a beloved figure in his hometown. Supporters of the Real Madrid midfielder will be watching eagerly as the 20-year-old faces his former club Borussia Dortmund at Wembley, one of football's biggest stages.
“When we were in school, we used to talk about him," Daniel said. "Obviously, we’re proud. He’s from our town."
Reflecting on Bellingham’s early start, Daniel mentioned that the former Birmingham City player and Hagley Primary School pupil has had ample time to rise to prominence, even potentially becoming the captain of England one day.
One man shared with BBC WM that his boss had lived a few doors down from Bellingham's family during his childhood. "I was pretty mind-blown," he said. "I know he's a proper local lad."
A mural of Jude Bellingham adorns the wall of the Ryemarket Centre, created by Gent 48, a renowned street artist from Digbeth, Birmingham. Arthur and Clarence, two children from Stourbridge, expressed their pride, saying they were proud because Bellingham was from Stourbridge "and Stourbridge is just the best."
A woman from Stourbridge mentioned that her son works at the town's Mary Stevens Hospice and highlighted that Bellingham and his family contribute significantly to fundraising efforts for the hospice through the town's football team. She described these efforts as "fabulous."
Commenting on Bellingham's impact on the town’s morale, she added, "It's good for the community, it's good just for wellbeing. You feel better, it's nice to have something good."
Listen to more fans talking about the footballer on BBC Radio WM.
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