‘Decent start’ – Jobe Bellingham’s dad appears to warn Championship rivals with post

Mark Bellingham, the father of Sunderland star Jobe, believes his son will only get better after he hit a landmark appearance.

The 18-year-old signed for the Black Cats from boyhood club Birmingham City in the summer and has been a huge hit at the Stadium of Light ever since.

After making 26 senior appearances at St. Andrew's, he has already been named in the Sunderland starting XI 22 times this season.

Jobe made his 50th appearance in professional football on Boxing Day as Sunderland beat Hull City 1-0 away to take the Wearside outfit to sixth in the Championship.

Older brother and Real Madrid sensation Jude watched on in the stands at the MKM Stadium, with Mark sitting alongside him.

And he was on hand to revel in his son's latest victory on social media the following day as the Bellinghams continue to shine on the pitch.

«Fifty first team appearances as a second year scholar. It's a decent start,» he said as Jobe hit his landmark number of matches.

The attacking midfielder made his senior debut at Birmingham at the age of 16 years and 107 days — just 69 days older than his brother when Jude made his first-team bow.

Most of Jobe's appearances for the Blues last season came off the bench, whilst first-team football has been a common theme for him at Sunderland.

Bellingham netted two goals against Rotherham on matchday three of the Championship to kickstart his professional scoring efforts.

His current tally now sits on four for the season, with his other strikes coming against former club Birmingham and Leeds United.

Jobe played the full 90 minutes in the away win at Hull as Sunderland eye a promotion tilt under new boss Michael Beale.

Brother Jude may continue to dominate the headlines across Europe following his 17 goals in his