Max

My name is David Sillett and I met Max at newcastle uni and got to know him through the football team. The first game I played in, the boys were saying how Max the star striker was missing. The next game when Max turned up I thought how can he be the star striker, he was hungover, looked like he was about to be sick and had a fag hanging out of his mouth. Later in the game, he got the ball, took it round 2 of their defenders and smacked it in the top corner from 25 yards. I thought, 'oh, thats why'.

Playing with him was a privelege as he was a great player with an abundance of skill, so elegant and graceful with the ball at his feet, yet at the same time he ran like he danced, with his elbows sticking out jigging from side to side. Max had more skill in his big toe than most others had in both feet and as for some of the tricks ive seen him do, that was some Ronaldinho business. One thing I always noticed was how modest he was and never said to anyone how he thought he was the best player, he just played for the love of the game which was transmitted to everyone through his beaming smile and enthusiasm.

I got to know Max well outside of football and got to know so many others through him. He was the centre of so many groups of friends due to his open heart, friendly nature and genuine interest in people. I liked his company, his jokes, the way he used to throw insults at me and laugh, the way he was always up for a night out. A night I remember well was Max 21st party, which was the best house party I went to at uni (even though Id broken my ankle that day). At house parties especially, I always thought that if Max was in the corner of a room, it somehow became the centre of the room, due to the way everyone wanted to be around him.

I got together with Rachael, who lived with Max that year, and the night we first kissed was a night out just me, her and Max in Newcastle. I have alot of respect for the way he looked out for her. I spent a lot of time round no 25 after me and rach started going out, either to see her or the boys. I lost count the amount of times I would be in bed with Rach and he would come home from a night out. I would hear him stomping up the stairs, the door would come flying open followed by Max. 'Yes Dave' at the top of his voice, followed by either a story of the nights events or he would stand there drunk, with his cheeky smile, insult me and leg it out of the room laughing. Sometimes when I couldnt sleep I would go down into his room and chill there until the early hours.

The last time I spoke to Max was the day of the carnival. We had spoken on the phone and all day planned to meet up. I ended up in such a state, both opposite sides of the carnival that we didnt end up seeing each other. Max sent me a text the next morning saying sorry we didnt get a chance to meet up but not to worry we will get together soon for a night out, which is something that I just took for granted.

The sheer amount of people who went to the football game in Queens Park and who went to the funeral I thought was incredible. Though what I find more incredible is that Max made all of those people happy in some way and had such a massive impact and effect on so many people. I feel sad that I had not kept in contact as well as I would have liked once I finished university but so glad that I knew him and have such fond memories of him. Max is one of the few people I can honestly say I look up to and I feel there is alot I can still learn from him. He always treated people with so much respect, kindness and affection, qualities he always showed towards me.

Max you are a top boy, rest in peace mate.
Dave