New signing Max Melbourne sat down with Matt Smith to discuss his career so far after penning a two-year deal with the Shrimps.
You signed for West Bromwich Albion as a 10-year-old, how did that come about?
“I signed for West Brom early doors, it was my first football club actually. My older brother was playing for West Brom at the time, I was just playing on the side and the scout spoke to my parents and asked ‘does Max play?’. At the time, I didn’t and I ended up going on trial for six or seven weeks and found myself a contract at the end of it.”
How do you reflect on 12 years at the Hawthorns, what are your best memories from your time at West Brom?
“Coming through, playing loads of games and meeting loads of new people. I’d say my best memory was being on the bench in the Premier League, that was probably my biggest highlight.”
You spent time on loan as 20-year-old in Scotland, this must’ve been a big step for you, did you enjoy your time North of the border and what did you learn from this spell in your career?
“My first loan was at Ross County in the Scottish Premiership, it was a big change for me coming out of Academy football, U18s football, but yeah it was a good time. I gained a lot of experience, it was my first time playing in men’s football, so it was very eye opening, but yeah it was a very enjoyable experience which I hold with me now.”
In 2020, you left West Brom permanently for Lincoln City. Was this an easy decision for you to make?
“It wasn’t an easy decision, no. When you’ve been somewhere for so long, you’re comfortable, but it was the right decision at the time. I needed to play more men’s football and I thought at the time, Lincoln was definitely the place for me.”
More recently you had spells at Walsall and Stevenage, how beneficial was this for your growth and development as a professional footballer?
“Very important, you’re playing in different teams, different systems with different managers and a lot of different things and playing in different leagues as well, the styles of football and the way you need to win a game, so it was definitely beneficial to me.”
You’ve arrived at the Mazuma on a two-year deal, do you have any specific aims or aspirations whilst at the Club?
“I just want to do as well as possible, for myself, for the team as well. Hopefully we can finish strongly in the league and I can play as many games as possible, that’d be a delight.”