Max Woodford wrote his name into Boro’s history books in November 2023; the young goalkeeper becoming our youngest-ever senior player. He came off the bench to make his debut in a Football League Trophy game against Crystal Palace‘s young guns at the Lamex. The stopper was a mere 15 years, six months and nine days old at the time, which meant he easily set a new record for our youngest-ever debutant; smashing one set by Makise Evans – in the same cohort as Woodford – by more than a year. If you’re good enough, as they say, you’re old enough!

It marked the start of a career laced with promise and potential for Woodford. The chances to impress in the first team weren’t likely to be plentiful at the start. But just overcoming that first hurdle and making his debut ranks as a significant moment. And then it becomes a question of how high, fast, and far the goalkeeper’s career can take off. Until that memorable November evening, Max Woodford was part of an emerging U18 Boro’ side; competing in the South East Youth Alliance League with Premier League academies like Brentford during the 2023-4 season.