8 famous footballers who went to school in Birmingham including Jude Bellingham and Tate Campbell

Pupils from Birmingham primary and secondary schools are out for summer and will be eager to get out playing in the sun.

Some of England’s finest football players have experienced the same liberation after many went to school in the region before they hit the national and international pitches.

17 Birmingham born and bred players have played for their country, but here are eight local players who grabbed their exam results from around the city.

Jude Bellingham

Widely regarded as one of the best young players in the world, the 19-year-old from Stourbridge started his education at Priory School in Birmingham.

Priory School is an independent Catholic and preparatory school situated in the Edgbaston suburb.

Jude joined Birmingham City football club as an under-8 after playing for his hometown Stourbridge’s team, making him the club’s youngest ever first team player. He continued to play for Birmingham City until the summer of 2020 when he transferred to the German team Borussia Dortmund.

In November 2020, Jude was called up to the England senior squad for the first time following four years of successful bids in younger teams.

Nathan Redmond

Another football star who started playing young for Birmingham as a 16-year-old is Nathan Redmond.

The winger, who currently plays for Southampton FC, went to King Edward VI Sheldon Heath Academy, a secondary school and sixth form in the Sheldon area and previously played for Norwich City too.

When Nathan received his first cap for the England first team in a match against Germany in 2017, the Academy published a post for their ex-student which said:

“This is a great achievement for Nathan and we wish him all the best.”

Troy Deeney

The Blues confirmed one of their own, Troy Deeney, as club captain earlier this year.

Starting his professional career at Watford in 2010, Deeney signed for Birmingham City in August 2021 and had made 19 appearances before he was selected as captain.

The 34-year-old striker grew up in Birmingham and attended Archbishop Grimshaw Catholic Secondary school in Chelmsley Wood but left with no GCSEs.

In an interview with the Guardian, Deeney reflected on his time at school after he was excluded at age 15 and campaigns for schools to “better represent their students, with a diverse curriculum that covers Black, Asian and minority ethnic history and experiences.”

Tate Campbell

Much like Bellingham, Tate Campbell attended Priory School in Edgbaston before signing his first professional contract in 2020.

Campbell plays as a midfielder for the home team and recently signed for an extra 12 months, with the option of a year.

He began his career with the Blues with Birmingham City’s academy as a 7-year-old when he was spotted playing Sunday League football.

Demarai Gray

Gray came through the football youth system at Birmingham City as well as being put through the city’s schooling system at King Edward VIBalaam Wood Academy.

The co-ed secondary school is based in the New Frankley area with the ethos “based on highest aspirations and expectations…leading to the best outcomes for all pupils both academically and socially.”

Demarai made his Football League debut with Birmingham City as a 17-year-old before joining Leicester City in their 2015-16 Premier League winning squad.

He now plays for Everton as a winger following a short stint at Bayer Leverkusen in January 2021.

Daniel Sturridge

Despite never playing for Birmingham City FC, Daniel Sturridge went to school in his home city at Four Dwellings High School in Quinton.

He has played for Manchester City, Chelsea, Bolton Wanderers, Liverpool and West Bromwich Albion, as well as representing England on many occasions.

Sturridge has appeared in the Olympic GB squad at the 2012 Games, the 2014 FIFA World Cup and the UEFA Finals 2016 - albeit missing qualifications due to an injury.

Joleon Lescott

A few years above Daniel Sturridge at Four Dwellings High was former England player Joleon Lescott.

The headteacher at the time Bernard Smith said: “I must be the only headteacher in the country who cannot tell the kids to stop dreaming about sporting glory.

“I remember both Joleon and Daniel…they were lovely kids. Joleon was the quieter of the two but he was obsessed with his football. He really did live for it and would take any chance he could get to play a game.”

Currently working as a coach for the England U21s, Lescott previously played with Everton, Man City, and Aston Villa among others.

When he was 5, he was struck outside his Birmingham primary school by a car, leaving him with severe head injuries.

Gabby Abonglahor

Gabriel Abonglahor, more commonly known as Gabby, spent his entire professional career at Aston Villa after rising through their Academy.

The forward attended St Edmund Campion secondary school in the Erdington, before he was scouted by Villa at a district game of football.

Recently, Abonglahor paid for a defibrillator for his school’s field. They said:

“We are truly delighted and extremely grateful for his support to our school community with this kind gesture.

“We are grateful to Gabby for his generosity and support of our school. As a past pupil ofSt Edmund Campion, the gift is even more poignant.”

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