Max’s love for the game began at a very young age. Over the years, he has played for several grassroots clubs including Burbage FC and Croft, before joining Lutterworth Athletic. His time at Lutterworth has been particularly successful, as he helped the club achieve promotion as League Champions last season. Those early years provided him with a strong foundation, building the confidence and technical ability that he would later showcase at UK Football Trials. 

The opportunity to attend a UK Football Trials event was the turning point. Max went into the trial with one clear aim: to show his ability and attract the attention of scouts. “I was keen to progress further in football and show a number of scouts my potential,” he explained. His performance on the day did exactly that, with scouts from several professional clubs noting his talent and extending opportunities. 

After the trial, Max received the exciting news that he had been scouted by West Bromwich Albion. “I was contacted and invited in to train with WBA three times a week,” he said. For a 12-year-old, the chance to join such a well-respected academy environment is a huge step forward. He has already begun integrating into training, working hard alongside academy players and adjusting to the higher demands of professional football. 

Max has been attending training with West Brom for two weeks now and has already made his match debut. In his first game for the club, he faced Hull City, where his team came out on top with a 4–2 victory. Experiences like this are invaluable, giving him a taste of what life inside an academy setup is like and allowing him to showcase his ability in competitive fixtures. 

When reflecting on what he has learned from his UK Football Trials experience, Max pointed to one of the most important aspects of development: “To communicate with players and coaches well and back your own abilities.” Football is as much about teamwork and confidence as it is about individual skill, and learning to trust himself and interact effectively with others has been a big step forward in his development. 

His highlight moment from the trial is one that any young player would be proud of: “Bringing a ball out of the air and scoring from the halfway line in a small-sided pitch,” Max recalled. It was a moment of quality that left an impression on everyone watching and underlined his technical ability and creativity. 

Would he recommend UK Football Trials to others? Max’s answer was simple: “As mentioned, you get the chance to showcase your skills to a number of scouts.” The opportunity to play in front of multiple scouts from professional clubs all in one place is what makes the experience so unique — and Max is living proof of the success it can lead to. 

Currently, Max remains on trial with West Bromwich Albion, working hard to impress the coaches and earn his place. With Wolves and Burton Albion also showing interest, his future looks incredibly bright. At only 12 years old, Max has already taken huge steps forward in his football journey — and this is just the beginning.