Max Watters

{{Infobox football biography

|name = Max Watters

|image = Max Watters January 2018.jpg

|image_size =

|caption = Watters with Ashford United in January 2018

|fullname = Max James Watters{{Cite web |date=23 June 2020 |title=Players given a Free Transfer: Doncaster Rovers |url=https://www.efl.com/siteassets/image/202021/efl-professional-retain-list---2019-20.pdf |access-date=10 October 2020 |page=87}}

|birth_date = {{birth date and age|1999|3|23|df=y}}

|birth_place = Camden, England

|height = {{convert|1.86|m|order=flip}}{{Cite web |title=FootballSquads - Crawley Town - 2020/2021 |url=http://www.footballsquads.co.uk/eng/2020-2021/fltwo/crawley.htm |access-date=7 September 2023 |website=www.footballsquads.co.uk}}

|position = Striker

|currentclub = Barnsley

|clubnumber = 36

|youthyears1 =

|youthclubs1 =

|years1 = 2016–2017

|clubs1 = Thurrock

|caps1 = 0

|goals1 = 0

|years2 = 2017

|clubs2 = → Barking (loan)

|caps2 = 11

|goals2 = 3

|years3 = 2017–2018

|clubs3 = Ashford United

|caps3 = 25

|goals3 = 8

|years4 = 2018–2020

|clubs4 = Doncaster Rovers

|caps4 = 5

|goals4 = 0

|years5 = 2018

|clubs5 = → Grantham Town (loan)

|caps5 = 17

|goals5 = 4

|years6 = 2019

|clubs6 = → Gainsborough Trinity (loan)

|caps6 =

|goals6 =

|years7 = 2019

|clubs7 = → Mickleover Sports (loan)

|caps7 = 6

|goals7 = 1

|years8 = 2020

|clubs8 = → Maidstone United (loan)

|caps8 = 4

|goals8 = 0

|years9 = 2020–2021

|clubs9 = Crawley Town

|caps9 = 15

|goals9 = 13

|years10 = 2021–2023

|clubs10 = Cardiff City

|caps10 = 22

|goals10 = 1

|years11 = 2021

|clubs11 = → Milton Keynes Dons (loan)

|caps11 = 11

|goals11 = 5

|years12 = 2023

|clubs12 = → Barnsley (loan)

|caps12 = 19

|goals12 = 4

|years13 = 2023–

|clubs13 = Barnsley

|caps13 = 54

|goals13 = 8

|nationalyears1 = 2017

|nationalteam1 = England Schoolboys

|nationalcaps1 =

|nationalgoals1 =

|club-update = 15:17, 4 May 2025 (UTC)

}}

Max James Watters (born 23 March 1999) is an English professional footballer who plays as a striker for {{English football updater|Barnsley}} club Barnsley.

Watters started his career playing non-league football with Thurrock, Barking and Ashford United before signing with League One side Doncaster Rovers in summer 2018. Following loan spells at Grantham Town, Gainsborough Trinity, Mickleover Sports and Maidstone United, he was released by Doncaster Rovers at the end of the 2019–20 season. He signed for League Two club Crawley Town in October 2020, moving to Championship club Cardiff City in January 2021.

Early and personal life

Born in Camden,{{soccerbase|114055}}{{ENFA}} Watters attended Hall Mead School and Shenfield High School.

Club career

=Early career=

Watters began his career in non-league football with Thurrock, Barking and Ashford United.{{Cite news |last=George |first=Sessions |date=24 January 2017 |title=Shenfield High School student Max Watters enjoying time on loan at Essex Senior League club Barking |work=Barking & Dagenham Post |url=http://www.barkinganddagenhampost.co.uk/sport/football/shenfield-high-school-student-max-watters-enjoying-time-on-loan-at-essex-senior-league-club-barking-1-4860832 |access-date=22 May 2018}}{{Cite news |last=Steve |first=Tervet |date=7 December 2017 |title=Ashford United to give former Barking striker Max Watters a contract after treble against Thamesmead |work=Kent Online |url=http://www.kentonline.co.uk/ashford/sport/contract-for-united-teenager-136508/ |access-date=22 May 2018}} He never made a first-team appearance for Thurrock.{{Cite web |title=Ex-Players |url=http://www.pitchero.com/clubs/thurrock/teams/127029/the-team |access-date=22 May 2018 |publisher=Thurrock F.C.}}{{dead link|date=September 2023}} With Barking, he scored 3 goals in 11 league games, and 3 goals in 4 cup games.{{Cite web |title=Season 2016/17 |url=http://www.barking-fc.co.uk/201617.html |access-date=22 May 2018 |publisher=Barking F.C.}} With Ashford, he scored 8 goals in 25 league games; he also made a further 2 cup appearances, without scoring.{{Cite web |date=30 April 2018 |title=Statistics |url=http://ashfordunitedfc.com/teams/first-team/statistics/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180529180827/http://ashfordunitedfc.com/teams/first-team/statistics/ |archive-date=29 May 2018 |access-date=22 May 2018 |publisher=Ashford United F.C.}}

=Doncaster Rovers=

In May 2018 it was announced that Watters would turn professional with Doncaster Rovers for the 2018–19 season, joining the club on a two-year contract for an undisclosed fee.{{Cite web |date=22 May 2018 |title=Max Watters: Doncaster Rovers agree deal for Ashford United forward |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/44209077 |access-date=22 May 2018 |website=BBC Sport}} He moved on loan to Grantham Town in August 2018.{{Cite web |date=9 August 2018 |title=Pair loaned to Grantham Town |url=https://www.doncasterroversfc.co.uk/news/2018/august/pair-loaned-to-grantham-town/ |access-date=3 September 2018 |website=www.doncasterroversfc.co.uk |publisher=Doncaster Rovers F.C.}} He scored 4 goals in 21 games in all competitions for Grantham Town.{{Cite web |title=Profile |url=http://www.granthamtownfc.com/teams/59867/player/max-watters-2054339 |access-date=28 November 2018 |publisher=Grantham Town F.C.}} He then joined Northern Premier League club Gainsborough Trinity on 18 January 2019 on a month-long loan.{{Cite web |date=18 January 2019 |title=Max Watters joins Gainsborough Trinity on loan |url=https://www.doncasterroversfc.co.uk/news/2019/january/watters-joins-gainsborough-on-loan/ |access-date=10 October 2020 |website=www.doncasterroversfc.co.uk |publisher=Doncaster Rovers F.C.}} He scored on his debut for the club the following day with the only goal of a 1–0 win over Mickleover Sports.{{Cite news |date=19 January 2019 |title=Debutant Max Watters is instant Gainsborough Trinity hit |language=en |work=Gainsborough Standard |url=https://www.gainsboroughstandard.co.uk/sport/football/debutant-max-watters-instant-gainsborough-trinity-hit-151885 |access-date=6 February 2021}}

In September 2019 he moved on loan to Mickleover Sports.{{Cite web |date=27 September 2019 |title=McGrath gets his man Watters on loan |url=https://mickleoverfc.com/mcgrath-gets-his-man-watters-on-loan/ |access-date=10 October 2020 |website=mickleoverfc.com |publisher=Mickleover Sports F.C.}}{{Cite web |date=27 September 2019 |title=Donny prospect Watters loaned to Mickleover |url=https://nonleaguedaily.com/donny-prospect-watters-loaned-to-mickleover/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191001002152/http://nonleaguedaily.com/donny-prospect-watters-loaned-to-mickleover/ |url-status=usurped |archive-date=1 October 2019 |access-date=10 October 2020 |website=nonleaguedaily.com}}{{Cite web |title=Mickleover Sports - Appearances - Max Watters - 2019-2020 |url=https://www.footballwebpages.co.uk/mickleover-sports/appearances/2019-2020/max-watters/798173 |website=www.footballwebpages.co.uk}} He made his senior debut for Doncaster on 29 October 2019 in the EFL Trophy, before making his league debut on 7 December 2019 as a substitute in a 1–1 draw with Milton Keynes Dons.{{Cite web |last=Hoden |first=Liam |date=9 December 2019 |title=Doncaster Rovers: Darren Moore on Max Watters' league debut and chances of further appearances |url=https://www.doncasterfreepress.co.uk/sport/football/doncaster-rovers-darren-moore-max-watters-league-debut-and-chances-further-appearances-1336314 |access-date=5 January 2021 |website=Doncaster Free Press |language=en}} On 21 February 2020, he moved to Maidstone United on a month-long loan.{{Cite web |date=21 February 2020 |title=Stones boost squad |url=https://www.kentonline.co.uk/maidstone/sport/stones-boost-squad-222498/ |access-date=10 October 2020 |website=Kent Online |language=en}} He made his league debut for the club the following day, starting in a 2–1 defeat at home to Hampton & Richmond Borough.{{Cite web |last=Tucker |first=Craig |date=22 February 2020 |title=Maidstone United 1-2 Hampton & Richmond Borough match report |url=https://www.kentonline.co.uk/maidstone/sport/report-stones-lose-again-222529/ |access-date=5 January 2021 |website=Kent Online |language=en}}{{Cite web |last=Tucker |first=Craig |date=28 February 2020 |title=Maidstone United striker Max Watters speaks about his loan move from Doncaster Rovers |url=https://www.kentonline.co.uk/maidstone/sport/a-brilliant-club-222735/ |access-date=5 January 2021 |website=Kent Online |language=en}} He failed to score in four league appearances whilst at Maidstone United.{{soccerway|max-watters/558498|accessdate=29 January 2019}} He was released by Doncaster at the end of the 2019–20 season, having made 5 league appearances whilst at the club.{{Cite web |date=30 June 2020 |title=Retained list confirmed |url=https://www.doncasterroversfc.co.uk/news/2020/june/retained-list-confirmed/ |access-date=10 October 2020 |website=www.doncasterroversfc.co.uk |publisher=Doncaster Rovers F.C.}}

=Crawley Town=

After being released by Doncaster Rovers, Watters had trial spells with Maidstone United, Bromley and Dagenham & Redbridge before joining League Two club Crawley Town on trial after playing against them in a friendly for Maidstone United in September 2020.{{Cite web |last=Tucker |first=Craig |date=30 November 2020 |title=Maidstone United manager Hakan Hayrettin reveals how deal for 10-goal Crawley Town striker Max Watters slipped away |url=https://www.kentonline.co.uk/maidstone/sport/max-watters-the-one-who-got-away-238311/ |access-date=5 January 2021 |website=Kent Online |language=en}} On 10 October 2020, he signed for Crawley Town on a one-year contract with the option of a further year.{{Cite web |last=Gadsdon |first=Sam |date=10 October 2020 |title=Reds make double signing |url=https://www.crawleytownfc.com/news/2020/october/2-new-signings/ |access-date=10 October 2020 |website=www.crawleytownfc.com |publisher=Crawley Town F.C. |language=en-gb}} He scored on his Crawley debut on 13 October 2020 in an EFL Trophy tie against Arsenal U21s.{{Cite news |last=Dunford |first=Mark |date=13 October 2020 |title=Crawley Town 1, Arsenal u21s 2: New signing scores on debut for Reds but Gunners win |url=https://www.wscountytimes.co.uk/sport/football/crawley-town-1-arsenal-u21s-2-new-signing-scores-debut-reds-gunners-win-3002398 |access-date=14 October 2020 |newspaper=Sussexworld}} He then scored twice on his league debut in a 4–0 victory over Morecambe four days later.{{Cite news |last=Blackburn |first=Coren |date=17 October 2020 |title=Crawley Town run riot in second-half masterclass as they hammer Morecambe |language=en |work=Crawley Observer |url=https://www.crawleyobserver.co.uk/sport/football/crawley-town-4-morecambe-0-reds-run-riot-second-half-masterclass-they-hammer-shrimps-3006830 |access-date=18 October 2020}} After scoring 5 goals in 5 League Two games for Crawley in October 2020, he was nominated for the EFL League Two Player of the Month award for October,{{Cite news |last=Dunford |first=Mark |date=10 November 2020 |title=Crawley Town star nominated for October Sky Bet League Two Player of the Month award |work=Crawley & Horley Observer |url=https://www.crawleyobserver.co.uk/sport/football/crawley-town-star-nominated-october-sky-bet-league-two-player-month-award-3030198 |access-date=10 November 2020}} though it was awarded to Cambridge United striker Paul Mullin.{{Cite news |last=Dunford |first=Mark |date=13 November 2020 |title=Crawley Town striker misses out on Skybet EFL Player of the Month award |url=https://www.crawleyobserver.co.uk/sport/football/crawley-town-striker-misses-out-skybet-efl-player-month-award-3032144 |access-date=5 January 2021 |newspaper=Sussexworld}} Crawley's signing of Watters was praised by former footballer Stephen Warnock (appearing on the EFL on Quest TV show) as a "terrific piece of recruitment".{{Cite news |last=Dunford |first=Mark |date=3 January 2021 |title=Former Liverpool star says Crawley Town's Max Watters is 'one of the best stories of the season so far' |url=https://www.wscountytimes.co.uk/sport/football/former-liverpool-star-says-crawley-towns-max-watters-one-best-stories-season-so-far-3083809 |access-date=5 January 2021 |newspaper=Sussexworld}} Having scored 6 league goals in December 2020, including a brace as a substitute against Mansfield Town and a hat-trick against Barrow, he was awarded the League Two Player of the Month award for December.{{Cite web |last=Dunford |first=Mark |date=5 January 2021 |title=Crawley Town pair up for monthly Sky Bet League Two awards |url=https://www.wscountytimes.co.uk/sport/football/crawley-town-pair-monthly-sky-bet-league-two-awards-3084993 |access-date=5 January 2021 |website=West Sussex County Times}}{{Cite web |date=8 January 2021 |title=Sky Bet League Two: December Manager and Player of the Month winners |url=https://www.efl.com/news/2021/january/sky-bet-league-two-december-manager-and-player-of-the-month-winners/ |access-date=8 January 2021 |website=www.efl.com |publisher=English Football League |language=en-gb}}{{Cite web |last=Gholam |first=Simeon |date=8 January 2021 |title=Max Watters: How fate paved the way for Crawley's scoring sensation |url=https://www.skysports.com/football/news/21425/12181654/max-watters-how-fate-paved-the-way-for-crawleys-scoring-sensation |access-date=8 January 2021 |website=Sky Sports |language=en}}

=Cardiff City=

He signed for Cardiff City on 16 January 2021 on a three-and-a-half-year contract for an undisclosed fee.{{Cite web |date=16 January 2021 |title=Cardiff sign Crawley striker Watters |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/55678130 |access-date=16 January 2021 |website=BBC Sport}} Crawley Town manager John Yems later suggested the fee was £1 million.{{Cite web|url=https://www.theargus.co.uk/sport/19289543.john-yems-labels-crawleys-season-good-despite-final-day-defeat-promoted-bolton/|title=Crawley boss labels season as 'good' despite final day defeat|website=The Argus}}

On 8 July 2021, Watters joined League One side Milton Keynes Dons on loan for the duration of the 2021–22 season.{{cite web|url=https://www.mkdons.com/news/2021/july/mk-dons-move-for-max-watters/|title=MK Dons move for Max Watters|website=www.mkdons.com|date=8 July 2021|accessdate=8 July 2021}}{{Cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/57765741|title=MK Dons sign Cardiff's Watters on loan|work=BBC Sport }} After missing the start of the season through injury, he scored his first goal for the club on 18 September 2021 in a 4–1 away win over Gillingham.{{Cite web |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/58525190 |title=Gillingham 1-4 Milton Keynes Dons |publisher=BBC |date=18 September 2021 |access-date=19 September 2021 }} On 30 December 2021, Cardiff City activated a clause to return Watters from his loan early, having scored 7 goals in 14 appearances in all competitions for MK Dons.{{Cite web |url=https://www.walesonline.co.uk/sport/football/transfer-news/cardiff-city-confirm-max-watters-22609765 |title=Cardiff City confirm Max Watters has been recalled from MK Dons loan and when he is likely to play |publisher=WalesOnline |date=30 December 2021 |access-date=30 December 2021 }}

Following his return, on 22 January 2022 Watters scored his first goal for Cardiff in his first game back for the club in a 3–2 defeat away to Bristol City.{{Cite web |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/60005537 |title=Bristol City 3-2 Cardiff City: Chris Martin brace helps Robins beat rival Bluebirds |publisher=BBC |date=22 January 2022 |access-date=22 January 2022 }}

On 5 January 2023, Watters returned to League One to join Barnsley on loan until the end of the 2022–23 season.{{Cite web |title=MAX WATTERS ARRIVES ON LOAN |url=https://www.barnsleyfc.co.uk/news/20232/january/reds-sign-watters-on-loan/ |access-date=5 January 2023 |website=www.barnsleyfc.co.uk |language=en-gb}}{{Cite news|url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/64180650|title=Barnsley sign Cardiff striker Watters on loan|work=BBC Sport }} He scored his first goal for Barnsley on 11 February 2023 in a 2-0 win against Cambridge United, but was later sent off in the same match.{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/64520759|title=Barnsley 2-0 Cambridge|publisher=BBC |date=11 February 2023 |access-date=22 March 2023}}

He signed permanently for Barnsley in July 2023.{{Cite web|url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/66291653|title=Barnsley sign strikers Watters and Dallas|via=www.bbc.co.uk}}

International career

Watters has represented England Schoolboys.{{Cite news |last=Lambert |first=Luke |date=28 January 2017 |title=Thurrock kid secures England Schoolboys call-up |work=Thurrock Gazette |url=http://www.thurrockgazette.co.uk/sport/15051428.Thurrock_kid_secures_England_Schoolboys_call-up/ |access-date=22 May 2018}}

Career statistics

rowspan="2"\|Club !rowspan="2"\|Season !colspan="3"\|League !colspan="2"\|FA Cup !colspan="2"\|League Cup !colspan="2"\|Other !colspan="2"\|Total
class=wikitable style="text-align: center" \|+ Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
Division	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals
Thurrock \|2016–17 \|Isthmian League Division One North \|0	0	0	0	colspan=2\|—	0	0	0	0
Barking (loan) \|2016–17 \|Essex Senior Football League \|11	3	0	0	colspan=2\|—	4	3	15	6
Ashford United \|2017–18 \|Isthmian League South East Division \|25	8	0	0	colspan=2\|—	2	0	27	8
rowspan="3"\|Doncaster Rovers \|2018–19{{soccerbase season\|114055\|2018\|accessdate=3 September 2018}} \|League One \|0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
2019–20{{soccerbase season\|114055\|2019\|accessdate=31 October 2019}} \|League One \|5	0	0	0	0	0	1	0	6	0
colspan="2"\|Total !5	0	0	0	0	0	1	0	6	0
Grantham Town (loan) \|2018–19 \|Northern Premier League Premier Division \|17	4	3	0	colspan=2\|—	1	0	21	4
Mickleover Sports (loan) \|2019–20 \|Northern Premier League Premier Division \|6	1	0	0	colspan="2"\|—	1	0	7	1
Maidstone United (loan) \|2019–20 \|National League South \|4	0	0	0	colspan="2"\|—	0	0	4	0
Crawley Town \|2020–21{{soccerbase season\|114055\|2020\|accessdate=15 October 2020}} \|League Two \|15	13	3	2	0	0	1	1	19	16
rowspan=4\|Cardiff City \|2020–21 \|Championship \|3	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	3	0
2021–22{{soccerbase season\|114055\|2021\|accessdate=8 July 2021}} \|Championship \|8	1	0	0	0	0	0	0	8	1
2022–23{{soccerbase season\|114055\|2022\|accessdate=5 January 2023}} \|Championship \|11	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	20	0
colspan="2"\|Total !22	1	0	0	0	0	0	0	22	1
Milton Keynes Dons (loan) \|2021–22 \|League One \|11	5	2	1	0	0	1	1	14	7
Barnsley (loan) \|2022–23 \|League One \|19	4	0	0	0	0	2{{efn\|Appearances in the play-offs}}	0	21	4
rowspan=3\|Barnsley \|2023–24{{soccerbase season\|114055\|2023\|accessdate=22 September 2023}} \|League One \|24	3	2	1	0	0	3{{efn\|Appearances in the EFL Trophy}}	0	29	4
2024–25{{soccerbase season\|114055\|2024\|accessdate=8 November 2024}} \|League One \|30	5	1	0	3	1	0	0	34	6
colspan="2"\|Total !54	8	3	1	3	1	3	0	63	10
colspan="3"\|Career total !189	45	11	4	3	1	16	5	219	57