When Portuguese midfielder Belchior Rodrigues steps onto the pitch in Emley colours, he carries with him a story that spans continents, cultures, and countless hours of dedication. From playing street football in Portugal, to joining one of England’s biggest academies, to testing himself in the German leagues, Rodrigues’ journey to the Welfare Ground has been anything but ordinary.

For Rodrigues, football wasn’t just a hobby it was part of his DNA. He said: "Football has always been engraved in my family. Growing up, it was all anyone spoke about. The minute I could walk, I had a football in my hand. It’s always been part of who I am. My dad was a football fanatic, so from the very beginning it was football, football, football. That’s what shaped me as a kid and made me fall in love with the game."

Growing up in Portugal, Rodrigues immersed himself in the Portuguese football culture.

He commented: "In Portugal, the football culture is different to here. It’s much more technical and tactical. As a kid, it wasn’t about anything serious, we were just at the park, enjoying the game with our mates, playing ‘World Cup’ and seeing who was the best. But even in those games, you learn. You meet new people, you make friends through football, and it becomes part of your life. That’s where my journey really began."

At just 10 years old, Rodrigues’ life changed when his family relocated to England.

He said: "I was born and raised in Portugal, but I moved to England when I was about 10 years old. That was a massive change for me, a new country, a new culture, and a different style of football. Within three or four months of arriving, I got scouted by Newcastle United’s Academy. That was a huge step up and really where things started to take off for me."

The contrast in playing styles between the two countries was stark: "The football in England is a completely different experience. It’s more physical, more end-to-end, and much quicker than in Portugal, where one team tends to dominate possession while the other sits back. It was a challenge, but I enjoyed adapting because I love getting on the ball, finding spaces, and creating opportunities. It helped me grow as a player."

At 17, Rodrigues’ next big step was a move to Carlisle United.

He said: "At 17, I made the move from Newcastle to Carlisle United. That was my first proper experience of being around a first-team environment. It gave me a real taste of what professional football is like and pushed me to improve every day. After two years, my contract came to an end, and I left Carlisle to join South Shields. I wanted to find a club where I could really make an impact at first-team level."

But things didn’t quite work out at South Shields: "South Shields just didn’t work out the way I hoped. Whether it was me, the management, or just timing, it didn’t click. But that’s football, sometimes things don’t go to plan."

It was then that an opportunity arose to play abroad, and Rodrigues jumped at the chance: "An opportunity then came up in Germany, in the fourth division, and at 18 I thought, why not? It was a completely new experience for me. I’d already been away from home at Carlisle, so I was used to it, but moving abroad was a big step."

Rodrigues went on to represent several German clubs, including VfB Fichte Bielefeld, Vatan Sport Bremen, and MSV Pampow, competing in the Oberliga and Regionalliga, levels equivalent to the National League system in England.

He said: "I ended up staying in Germany for three or four years, playing in a league similar to the National League in England. The style was different again, another challenge for me to adapt to. But I enjoyed it. It gave me a chance to keep improving and experience football in a different country."

His time in Germany came to an end when the COVID-19 pandemic hit: "When COVID hit, I came back to England because I didn’t want to get stuck abroad, and from there I joined Consett."

Rodrigues made an instant impact at Consett, and it wasn’t long before Emley noticed him.

He said: "One of my first games for Consett was against Emley. I just thought: give it everything, make an impression, and play my game. I think that was when I first made a connection with the club, because I had a good game, and they noticed me."

When the opportunity came to sign for the Pewits, Rodrigues didn’t hesitate: "What really stood out to me about Emley was the way the lads communicated on the pitch and the style of play. Even in this league, where you see a lot of long balls, they were trying to play out from the back, keep the ball, and dominate possession. That’s exciting for a player like me, I want to be in a team that plays good football.

"It was also clear to me that this is a team that plays to win, not just to get by. Whether it’s home or away, Emley wants to dominate games. That’s exactly the kind of environment I want to be part of, ambitious, competitive, and confident."

As an attacking midfielder, Rodrigues sees himself as a vital link in Emley’s attacking play.

He said: "My role is to transition the ball from the back and create opportunities in the final third. Whether that’s assists, goals, or just opening up space for others, I want to be the link that turns possession into chances. I love creating opportunities, picking the right passes, dribbling when I need to, and making things happen for the team."

And he’s set personal targets for the season ahead: "Personally, I’ve set targets for goals and assists this season. I like to keep those numbers to myself, but trust me, I have them in mind. My aim is simple: to be involved in as many goals as possible, whether I’m scoring them or setting them up. That’s how I measure my contribution to the team."

Emley narrowly missed out in the playoffs last season, but Rodrigues insists the squad has learned from it: "Last season was tough to take. To go so close in the playoffs and miss out was devastating, but that’s football. The only way you respond is by learning from it. We know we have the quality, and now it’s about taking that next step.

"Our aim this season is clear: we want to be right up there again. Playoffs are the minimum, we want to be challenging for the league. We want teams to fear us when they play us. That’s the standard we’re setting for ourselves."

Finally, Rodrigues has a special message for the Emley faithful: "When I first signed for Emley, I was genuinely surprised by how much support the club has. For such a small village, the backing is incredible. Whether it’s home or away, the fans are there in numbers, cheering us on, pushing us forward. It means a lot to us as players. We want to repay that support with performances on the pitch and make them proud."

From Lisbon’s street games to Emley’s promotion chase, Belchior Rodrigues’ story is one of resilience, adaptability, and an unshakeable love for the game. And for Emley fans, his journey is only just getting started.

Bels is available for player sponsorship this season, show your support and sponsor him over on our club shop. You will be featured in our match day programme and social media.