10 Interesting Facts About Jack Grealish From Childhood
- Think Football Ideas
- Jun 26
- 5 min read
Updated: Jul 5
Full Name: Jack Peter Grealish
Date of Birth: 10 September 1995
Place of Birth: Birmingham, England
Height: 5 ft 11 in (1.80 m)
Position(s): Winger / Attacking midfielder
Current Club: Manchester City
Jersey Number: 10
Before the goals and headlines, Jack Grealish's football journey was already stacked with big moments, deep roots, and football in his DNA. Sure, we all know the tricks, the flair, and the calves, but there’s a lot more to him than stepovers and slick hair.
From the schools he walked through to the unexpected turns he nearly took, this is about the lesser-known chapters of Grealish’s story - one fact, one moment, one chapter at a time.
Here Are 10 Facts You Might Not Have Known About Jack Grealish
1. He Attended Our Lady Of Compassion Roman Catholic Primary School
Growing up in Solihull, just southeast of Birmingham, Jack Grealish’s early school years were shaped by his time at Our Lady of Compassion Roman Catholic Primary School, a setting that grounded him in discipline and faith before football really took over.
He later moved on to St Peter's Roman Catholic Secondary School, where he continued to develop academically and athletically. It was during these years that Grealish's cheeky charm began to shine through.
2. He is of Irish Descent
Though born and bred in England, Grealish's roots stretch deep into Ireland. His maternal grandfather hailed from County Dublin, his paternal grandfather came from Gort, County Galway, and his paternal grandmother was from Sneem in County Kerry.
That proud Irish lineage wasn’t just a tick on a heritage box, it shaped his early international career and cultural identity.
3. He Had Youth Stints At Highgate United And Aston Villa
Jack’s first proper taste of football came at Highgate United, a local grassroots club where he laced up his boots for the first time at the tender age of six. Just a year later, he was snapped up by Aston Villa, and the love story began.
From then on, Bodymoor Heath became his second home. It wasn’t just a stint, it was the beginning of a lifelong bond. Grealish would go on to spend nearly two decades at Villa, climbing through the ranks like a kid living his dream, because that’s exactly what he was.
4. He Played Gaelic Football From Age 10 To 14
Before he was twisting Premier League defenders inside out, Jack was lighting up the Gaelic football field.
From age 10 to 14, he balanced two sporting worlds, playing for Aston Villa's academy while also putting in serious shifts in Gaelic football, representing John Mitchel’s Hurling and Camogie Club in Warwickshire.
That blend of agility, physicality, and balance? Much of it can be traced back to his Gaelic football roots, which shaped his unique low-centre-of-gravity playing style we see today.
5. He Scored His First Career Goal Against Gillingham
The breakthrough moment every footballer remembers, and Jack Grealish’s came on 7 December 2013, while out on loan at Notts County. Facing Gillingham, the then-18-year-old picked up the ball, showed a bit of swagger, and bagged his first-ever senior goal.
That goal wasn't just a number on the scoresheet, it was a statement. A teenager with wild hair and fearless feet, proving he belonged in the senior game. It was the first of many.
6. He Thrived At Aston Villa, Where He Made A Name For Himself
From boyhood Villan to club captain, Jack Grealish's time at Aston Villa was nothing short of cinematic. After making his senior debut in May 2014, it took a few years (and a few life lessons) before he truly blossomed, but once he did, there was no holding him back.
By 2019, he was wearing the armband, leading the charge back to the Premier League, and becoming Villa’s heartbeat. That 2019–20 season was peak Jack, with goals, assists, and survival heroics on the final day. He didn’t just play for Villa; he lived for them.
7. He is The Most Expensive English Player Of All-Time
When Manchester City came calling in August 2021, it wasn’t just a transfer, it was a record-shattering move. At £100 million, Grealish became the most expensive English player in history.
The fee raised eyebrows, but Pep Guardiola saw something special, a player who could fit the City system but bring something different. It wasn’t smooth sailing at first, but by the treble-winning 2022–23 season, Jack had found his rhythm. He wasn’t just part of the team, he was one of its driving forces.
8. Jack Grealish's Great-Great-Grandfather, Billy Garraty, Won The 1905 FA Cup
Football runs in the Grealish bloodline. His great-great-grandfather, Billy Garraty, wasn’t just any player, he won the FA Cup with Aston Villa in 1905 and even earned an England cap.
It’s poetic, really: over a century later, his descendant captained the same club, in the same colours, with that same fighting spirit. Grealish didn’t just inherit the family name, he inherited a legacy.
9. He Declined England U17 Invite In 2011 At Age 15
At age 15, Grealish made a bold call, he turned down an invite from England U17 to represent the Republic of Ireland, a nod to his deep Irish heritage. He played for Ireland at U17, U18, and U21 levels.
But in 2016, he made the switch to England’s U21s, and by 2020, he was pulling on the senior Three Lions shirt. It was a decision wrapped in pride, pressure, and identity.
10. He Enjoys DJing And Could've Been A Club Promoter
Away from the pitch, Jack’s got a bit of party in his soul. He's openly shared his love for music, and if football hadn’t panned out? He reckons he’d be a club promoter.
Grealish loves a good vibe, a banging playlist, and has even dabbled in amateur DJing. That carefree, feel-good energy we see in post-match interviews or viral celebrations? It’s just Jack being Jack, a lad who genuinely knows how to enjoy life.
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