Max's home pride
By Nicholas Veevers
Monday, 05 March, 2012
Crewe starlet Max Clayton looking forward to facing Poland on Wednesday.
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England U18s forward Max Clayton will be on familiar territory on Wednesday evening as part of the Young Lions squad who face Poland at Gresty Road.
The 17-year-old has been a regular in the Alex first team squad this season and will now get the chance to run out in his hometown wearing an England shirt.
After representing England at U16 and U17 level already and then also playing for the U18s in Slovakia earlier this season, Clayton is now looking forward to hopefully collecting his next cap on Wednesday.
“I can’t wait to get the chance to play for my country at Gresty Road,” he admitted.
“For me, it’s a massive honour to put the England shirt on and represent my country.
“I am delighted that I have been picked by Noel Blake to represent England on my home ground and hopefully we can all put on a good performance against Poland.
“I’m sure people who are football fans in the area will look to come and support the team and I’m sure they will enjoy the standard of football that is on show.”
Clayton was part of the England squad that reached the European Championship semi-final in Serbia and then went on to play in the quarter finals of the U17 World Cup in Mexico last season, including a goal against Uruguay in the group stages.
He admits the whole experience of last year has helped him to progress further at club level and he wants to continue his international development too.
“This season has been brilliant for me after coming back from Mexico," he added.
"I scored my first professional goal for Crewe against Macclesfield earlier on in the season, and I have had the opportunity to start a few games for the club and train with the first team on a regular basis since then.
“I have to be patient and hopefully I will get the chance to cement my place as a first team regular and I’m looking forward to a bright future at Crewe.”
The full interview with Max can be read in the match programme for Wednesday's game.