Stourbridge prepared for Champions League final

 Jude Bellingham mural in Stourbridge

"I've got a day off work to watch the Champions League," says Daniel, a proud hometown fan of Stourbridge-born footballer Jude Bellingham, who will be playing in the Champions League Final on Saturday night.

From being named the 2022-23 Bundesliga Player of the Season to earning 29 England caps, Bellingham is cherished in his home town. Fans of the Real Madrid midfielder will be watching eagerly as the 20-year-old faces his former club Borussia Dortmund at Wembley in one of football's biggest events of the year.

Arthur and Clarence

Arthur and Clarence are particularly proud because, as they put it, "Stourbridge is just the best." Daniel reminisced about his school days, saying, "When we were in school we used to talk about him. Obviously, we’re proud, he’s from our town." Given his young age, the former Birmingham City footballer and Hagley Primary School alumnus has ample time to become England’s captain, he added.

One local resident told BBC WM his boss lived a few doors down from Bellingham's family when he was growing up. "I was pretty mindblown," he said. "I know he's a proper local lad."

The Jude Bellingham mural, located on the wall of the Ryemarket centre, is the creation of Gent 48, a renowned street artist from Digbeth, Birmingham.

A woman from Stourbridge mentioned that her son works at the town's Mary Stevens Hospice, noting that Bellingham and his family actively support the town's football team in fundraising for the hospice, which she described as "fabulous." Reflecting on Bellingham's impact on community morale, she said, "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 discussing the footballer on BBC Radio WM.