Things are going pretty well for Birmingham City right now, and to top things off, they’ve got a wonderkid coming through their academy system as we speak.
After securing a 2-1 win against Bristol Rovers on Tuesday night, Birmingham are now 11 points clear at the top of League One with two games in hand.
The Blues won the hard way this time, but it’s safe to say we are looking at the champions elect, and it’s only a matter of time before their return to the Championship is confirmed.
That’s all well and good for the immediate future, but now, it appears the club are in possession of one of the most exciting young talents in the country as well, just to make matters even more interesting for Blues fans.
Photo by Manu Reino/DeFodi Images/DeFodi via Getty Images
Photo by Manu Reino/DeFodi Images/DeFodi via Getty Images
Birmingham City goalkeeper Alfie Smith is ahead of the curve
As per Birmingham City’s Instagram account, the club has been hyping up 14-year-old goalkeeper, Alfie Smith, after he made his debut for the Under-18s team.
Yes, you’re reading that right; Smith has stepped up to play four years above his age group. That’s testament to just how good he is and how highly the Birmingham City youth staff rate the young shot stopper.
Turns out, Smith is the youngest player to appear for the Under-18s since Jude Bellingham, who was also 14 when he stepped up to that age level.
Bellingham liked the Instagram post to acknowledge the next rising star at his boyhood club, with Smith being celebrated for his involvement in the 4-3 win against Ipswich Town’s youth team last weekend.
Smith, who turned 14 in December, previously played as a striker, and has also turned out at centre-half, but it is between the sticks where he is really flourishing now. He has even represented England at youth level and looks set to have a bright future.
Discussing his debut with the club’s website, U18’s head coach Martyn Olorenshaw said: “He was very composed. He handled himself very well, which I knew he would. For him to come in and play in an U18s game is a big stretch, especially in that position. I am delighted that he has got his first scholar debut. I am sure there will be many more appearances to come.”
Speaking of the future, Birmingham are looking to get Smith signed up on an official scholarship this summer as top clubs start to pay attention to his impressive rise.
Photo by Richard Heathcote/Getty Images
Photo by Richard Heathcote/Getty Images
Reflecting on Jude Bellingham’s rise at Birmingham City
As mentioned above, Jude Bellingham made his Under-18s debut at the age of 14, too. He also played for Birmingham’s Under-23 side at the age of just 15 — he also scored in that game.
He went on to make his senior debut at the age of 16 years and 38 days. A mere 25 days later, he had scored his first goal for the Birmingham men’s team, and he went from strength to strength from then on.
Bellingham made 44 appearances for his boyhood club, quickly establishing himself as one of the brightest and best players in the Championship. That was enough to attract attention from Borussia Dortmund and the young midfielder flourished in Germany before switching to Real Madrid.
Team Games Goals Assists
Borussia Dortmund 132 24 25
Real Madrid 83 36 24
Birmingham City 44 4 2
England 42 6 10
Jude Bellingham career stats – correct as of 02/04/25
Now, Bellingham is regarded as one of the world’s biggest superstars in football and is highly influential for club and country.
And, the funny thing is, his brother Jobe looks set to follow in his footsteps, with Dortmund keen to snap up the younger Bellingham brother from Sunderland this summer.