The Ultimate Legend

I'm Graham Rishton. Like Mike, I had the absolute privilege of playing in the same team as Max up in Newcastle.

It's really difficult for me to know what to write, im already on my 5th draft. Nothing that i manage to write really seems to do justice to Max. This is a guy who gave me, and obviously so many others, so so much. To be honest I'm not really sure where to start. A guy who picked me out of trials and gave me the opportunity to play in such a great team. A guy who was a major factor in helping me to settle in at uni. A guy who always listened to everything I had to say. A guy i always met up with first before every football night out. A guy who made any night out worth going out for. Max was, quite simply, an absolute legend.

I think the moment I was told he had gone will stay with me for quite some time. A terrible numbness.I hope though, that my memories of the guy will stay with me for a lot longer. I remember him inspiring us to victory when we desperately needed someone to inspire us. I remember his shout of "yes Graham" after i'd pulled off a rare bit of skill. I remember the way everybody totally looked up to him.

I was really looking forward to us having him back at Newcastle next year. I looked forward to being on the same pitch as him again. Most of all I looked forward to many more nights out with him and having a mate back that i could really talk to.

His death is a truly tragic loss, I really still dont think I've done him any justice at all in this account. My condolences go out completely to his family and friends from home. He will be truly missed.

Rest in peace Max, Lord knows you deserve it, yours Graham.