Touched by Genius

Max aka ‘Max of the day’ as we referred to him will be sorely missed on and off the football pitch.

I came to know Max mainly through football but over time socially as well. He was a genuine person who you felt at complete ease with in all situations.

I was part of the older crew who played football against him and the rest of the huge pool of football talent that came out of his year, too many to mention.

Although we relished the games (battles) against the younger lot, I can remember speaking to Max at length about the super-team we would eventually build once all of his boys had finished travelling and University. We planned to have an 11 a-side team which would include the best of his lot mixed with the best of ours. This showed the mutual respect we all had for one another not just as footballers but as friends as well.

I was desperate to sort this out as I knew how good the team could be. We all joked about how we would start in the lower leagues and eventually make it into the FA Cup. Finally Max would be getting his moment on Match of the Day with the likes of Hansen and Lineker talking about his natural flare, technical ability and 'Zidane-esque' vision. I remember joking with him about how long all of them seemed to be going to University for and by the time they were all finished my lot would be walking our chocolate Labrador's on the Heath wearing corduroy trousers and brogues with the thought of playing competitive football a distant memory.

Playing against Max was brilliant because he was that good, he brought the best out of those around him. His team mates because they wanted to compliment someone of his ability and me the opposition because I knew we had to play well to compete against him.

The Boxing Day games and other seasonal matches were like Cup Finals and we all loved to play in them.

On occasion Max, Owen, Ize, Dash or Louis Figo would come and play for the ‘Bearded Monkeys’ our 5-a-side Power league football team. One week I had to go in goal as our keeper was injured. We were warming up before the game and I went in goal so the boys could shoot at me and I could get used to diving and saving shots. For some reason the rest of the team were talking together and myself and Max were left to warm up. He began to blast shots past me.... into the goal, off the post, crunching the crossbar or just wide. Whatever he did I couldn't get my hands or any part of me near the ball. Suddenly the goal felt massive, I felt small and the ball became elusive.

Being an outfield player it was rare to get this perspective on his game and again it showed how frighteningly good he was. It was a pleasure to play with or against him.

Nothing can prepare us for the permanence of a loss but when that loss is shared by friends and loved ones, the burden becomes lighter to bare. I feel lucky to have known Max and to have played the 'beautiful game' with him. We have been touched by genius!

Rads (1 of 'The Older Lot)