Max Kretzschmar

Max Kretzschmar
Kretzschmar playing for Hampton & Richmond Borough
Personal information
Full name Max Alexander Kretzschmar[1]
Date of birth (1993-10-12) 12 October 1993 (age 31)
Place of birth Kingston upon Thames, England
Height 1.74 m (5 ft 8+1⁄2 in)
Position(s) Midfielder
Team information
Current team
 Wealdstone
Number 10
Youth career
2000–2003 Molesey Juniors
2003–2007 Southampton
2007–2012 Wycombe Wanderers
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2012–2016 Wycombe Wanderers 73 (8)
2016–2017 Woking 22 (3)
2017–2018 Hampton & Richmond Borough 39 (14)
2018–2022 Woking 121 (35)
2022– Wealdstone 78 (16)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 15:08, 17 November 2024 (UTC)

Max Alexander Kretzschmar (born 12 October 1993) is an English professional footballer who plays for National League club Wealdstone.

Youth career

Kretzschmar started at Molesey Juniors at aged 7 before being scouted by Southampton in 2003.

Club career

Wycombe Wanderers

Prior to his career at Wycombe Wanderers, Kretzschmar played for Southampton between the ages of 10 and 14, before being released.[2][3] He went onto make his professional debut in a 1–0 victory against Morecambe on 3 August 2013.[4][5] Before even making a league start, Kretzschmar opened his goal account by scoring both goals for Wycombe in their 2–1 win at Hartlepool United on 7 September 2013, having come on at half time for Nick Arnold.[6]

On 9 May 2016, it was announced that Kretzschmar would leave the club upon the expiry of his contract on 30 June 2016, along with teammates; Gozie Ugwu, Alex Lynch and Ryan Sellers.[7]

Woking

On 15 July 2016, Kretzschmar joined National League side Woking on a one-year deal.[8]

On 6 August 2016, Kretzschmar made his Woking debut in a 3–1 home defeat against Lincoln City, replacing Ben Gordon in the 78th minute.[9] On 20 August 2016, Kretzschmar was handed his first Woking start by manager Garry Hill in a 3–1 home defeat against Dagenham & Redbridge, before being replaced by Gozie Ugwu in the 73rd minute.[10] On 1 January 2017, Kretzschmar scored his first Woking goal in a 2–1 home defeat against local rivals Aldershot Town, equalizing two minutes after Scott Rendell had given the visitors the lead.[11] On 28 February 2017, Kretzschmar scored Woking's winner in their 1–0 victory against National League promotion hopefuls Dover Athletic, netting into an open goal after academy graduate, Charlie Carter had squared the ball.[12] On the final day of the 2016–17 campaign, Kretzschmar scored in Woking's 1–1 draw with Dagenham & Redbridge, a goal which saw the Cards survival in the National League confirmed.[13]

On 23 May 2017, it was announced that Kretzschmar would leave Woking upon the expiry of his current deal in June 2017.[14]

Hampton & Richmond Borough

On 18 June 2017, following his release from Woking, Kretzschmar joined National League South side Hampton & Richmond Borough.[15]

On the opening day of the campaign, Kretzschmar made his Hampton & Richmond debut during their 1–1 away draw with East Thurrock United, playing the full 90 minutes.[16] A week later, he scored his first goal for the club during their 1–1 draw against Eastbourne Borough, curling home a free-kick in the 41st minute.[17] In the month of September, Kretzschmar continued his impressive form, netting four times in five league games.[18] On 2 December 2017, Kretzschmar netted his tenth goal in all competitions during Hampton & Richmond's league tie against Weston-super-Mare, completing the Beavers' comeback in the 79th minute to secure a 2–1 victory.[19] On 6 May 2018, during Hampton & Richmond's National League South play-off campaign, Kretzschmar scored the winning goal during their semi-final fixture against Chelmsford City, converting a penalty in the 1–0 win.[20] During their play-off final against Braintree Town, Kretzschmar scored the opening goal 1–1 draw, before Reece Grant equalised for Town before the break. Braintree went onto win 4–3 on penalties after extra time and were in turn, promoted back to the National League.[21]

Return to Woking

On 13 July 2018, Kretzschmar made his return to Woking under previous manager, Alan Dowson following his switch from Hampton.[22] On the opening day of the 2018–19 campaign, Kretzschmar marked his Woking return with the winner in their 1–0 away victory over East Thurrock United, converting a penalty with seconds remaining.[23] Kretzschmar went onto continue his impressive scoring streak, with goals against Oxford City,[24] Hemel Hempstead Town,[25] Eastbourne Borough[26] and a crucial penalty against promotion rivals, Billericay Town.[27] On 14 November 2018, he netted his 10th and 11th goals of the season, during a thrilling 4–3 encounter with Gloucester City.[28] On 5 May 2019, during Woking's play-off semi final against Wealdstone, Kretzschmar netted a crucial equaliser in the 86th minute and the Cards eventually went onto win the game 3–2, courtesy of a last minute effort from Jake Hyde.[29] A week later, Kretzschmar was part of the side that triumphed over Welling United in the National League South play-off final to secure promotion back to the National League at the first time of asking.[30]

On 4 July 2019, Kretzschmar signed a new one-year deal with the Cards, following their promotion back to the National League.[31] On 19 October 2019, Kretzschmar netted his first goal of the campaign during a 1–1 away draw with Ebbsfleet United in their FA Cup fourth round qualifying tie, converting a 91st minute penalty to take the fixture to a replay,[32] which the Cards eventually lost 1–0.[33] He went onto score on three more occasions, collating twenty-seven appearances in all competitions, before the campaign was curtailed due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

On 9 July 2020, Kretzschmar secured a new one-year deal with the club following a disrupted 2019–20 campaign.[34] On 3 October 2020, he went onto net his first goal of the season, scoring the equaliser during a 2–1 home victory over Solihull Moors.[35] Following this, Kretzschmar went onto enjoy his most successful campaign in the National League to date, scoring seven goals in thirty-one appearances, with an additional three goals in cup competitions, taking his tally to ten for the season.

Ahead of the 2021–22 campaign, Kretzschmar penned a further one-year deal and went onto net a decisive brace in the Cards' opening fixture of the season against Wealdstone, in which the Surrey-based side were victorious, 2–1.[36] After finishing the campaign as the club's top joint scorer alongside Inih Effiong and Tahvon Campbell with 13 goals to his name, Kretzschmar opted to leave the club at the end of his contract in June.[37] During his second spell back at Kingfield, he collated 142 appearances, scoring 41 goals.

Wealdstone

On 8 July 2022, Kretzschmar signed for fellow National League side Wealdstone.[38] Kretzschmar made his Wealdstone debut on 6 August 2022, getting two assists in a 3–2 win over Bromley.[39] On 4 September 2022, he scored his first goal for the club, converting a penalty in a 1-1 draw against his former side Woking.[40] Kretzschmar made 31 appearances in his first season at the club, scoring six times.[41] In July 2023 it was announced that he had signed a one-year contract extension.[42]

Kretzschmar scored his first goal of the 2023-24 season on the opening day, scoring a penalty to equalise in an eventual 2-1 win over York City.[43] He would go on to score ten times, finishing the season as Wealdstone's joint top scorer alongside Sean Adarkwa as they ended the season in 16th. He signed a further one year contract extension in May 2024.[44]

Personal life

Kretzschmar was educated at Hampton School in south west London.[45]

Career statistics

As of match played 20 April 2024 [18]
Club Season League FA Cup League Cup Other Total
Division Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals
Wycombe Wanderers 2013–14 League Two 35 6 2 0 1 0 3[a] 0 41 6
2014–15 League Two 16 0 2 0 1 0 1[a] 0 20 0
2015–16 League Two 22 2 1 1 0 0 1[a] 0 24 3
Total 73 8 5 1 2 0 5 0 85 9
Woking 2016–17 National League 22 3 0 0 — 0 0 22 3
Hampton & Richmond Borough 2017–18 National League South 39 14 3 0 — 6[b] 6 48 20
Woking 2018–19 National League South 32 13 5 1 — 5[c] 1 42 15
2019–20 National League 24 2 2 1 — 1[d] 1 27 4
2020–21 National League 31 7 2 2 — 4[d] 1 37 10
2021–22 National League 34 13 1 0 — 1[d] 0 36 13
Total 121 35 10 4 — 11 2 142 41
Wealdstone 2022–23[46] National League 30 6 0 0 — 1[e] 0 31 6
2023–24[46] National League 36 8 1 1 — 3 1 40 10
Total 66 14 1 1 — 4 1 71 16
Career total 321 74 21 6 2 0 25 9 368 82
  1. ^ a b c Appearance(s) in Football League Trophy
  2. ^ Three appearances and four goals in FA Trophy, three appearances and two goals in National League South play-offs
  3. ^ Three appearances in FA Trophy, two appearances and one goal in National League South play-offs
  4. ^ a b c Appearance(s) in FA Trophy
  5. ^ Appearance in Middlesex Senior Cup

References

  1. ^ "Professional Retain List & Free Transfers 2012/13" (PDF). The Football League. 3 June 2013. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2 August 2014. Retrieved 29 September 2013.
  2. ^ "Ex-Hampton School boy set to make most of League Two shot as opportunity knocks". Your Local Guardian. 27 December 2013. Retrieved 14 September 2018.
  3. ^ "Now I'm living life to the Max! Kretzschmar is firing Alan Dowson's new-look Woking". The Non-League Football Paper. 13 September 2018. Retrieved 14 September 2018.
  4. ^ "Wycombe 1–0 Morecambe". BBC Sport. Retrieved 3 August 2013.
  5. ^ "Kretzschmar commits to the Chairboys". Wycombe Wanderers F.C. Retrieved 5 August 2013.
  6. ^ "Hartlepool 1–2 Wycombe". BBC Sport. Retrieved 13 September 2013.
  7. ^ "Ainsworth holds contract talks". Wycombe Wanderers Official Site. 9 May 2016. Retrieved 8 March 2017.
  8. ^ "Woking sign Max Kretzschmar". Woking F.C. 15 July 2016. Retrieved 15 July 2016.
  9. ^ "Woking 1–3 Lincoln City". BBC Sport. 6 August 2016. Retrieved 16 August 2016.
  10. ^ "Woking 1–3 Dagenham & Redbridge". BBC Sport. 20 August 2016. Retrieved 21 August 2016.
  11. ^ "Woking 1–2 Aldershot Town". BBC Sport. 1 January 2017. Retrieved 5 January 2017.
  12. ^ "Woking 1–0 Dover Athletic". BBC Sport. 28 February 2017. Retrieved 1 March 2017.
  13. ^ "Dagenham & Redbridge 1–1 Woking". BBC Sport. 29 April 2017. Retrieved 29 April 2017.
  14. ^ "Released Players". Woking Official Site. 23 May 2017. Retrieved 23 May 2017.
  15. ^ "Local boy Max comes home..." Hampton & Richmond Borough Official Site. 18 June 2017. Retrieved 18 June 2017.
  16. ^ "East Thurrock United vs. Hampton & Richmond Borough". Soccerway. 5 August 2017. Retrieved 27 February 2018.
  17. ^ "Hampton & Richmond Borough vs. Eastbourne Borough". Soccerway. 12 August 2017. Retrieved 27 February 2018.
  18. ^ a b "M. Kretzschmar". Soccerway. Retrieved 15 July 2016.
  19. ^ "Weston-super-Mare vs. Hampton & Richmond Borough". Soccerway. 2 December 2017. Retrieved 27 February 2018.
  20. ^ "Chelmsford City vs. Hampton & Richmond Borough". Soccerway. 6 May 2018. Retrieved 7 May 2018.
  21. ^ "Hampton & Richmond Borough vs. Braintree Town". Soccerway. 13 May 2018. Retrieved 13 May 2018.
  22. ^ "Dowse reveals latest signing". Woking Official Site. 13 July 2018. Retrieved 13 July 2018.
  23. ^ "East Thurrock United vs. Woking". Soccerway. 4 August 2018. Retrieved 6 August 2018.
  24. ^ "Woking vs. Oxford City". Soccerway. 11 August 2018. Retrieved 4 July 2019.
  25. ^ "Hemel Hempstead Town vs. Woking". Soccerway. 18 August 2018. Retrieved 4 July 2019.
  26. ^ "Eastbourne Borough vs. Woking". Soccerway. 27 August 2018. Retrieved 4 July 2019.
  27. ^ "Woking vs. Billericay Town". Soccerway. 1 September 2018. Retrieved 4 July 2019.
  28. ^ "Gloucester City vs. Woking". Soccerway. 14 November 2018. Retrieved 4 July 2019.
  29. ^ "Woking vs. Wealdstone". Soccerway. 4 July 2019. Retrieved 4 July 2019.
  30. ^ "Woking vs. Welling United". Soccerway. 4 July 2019. Retrieved 4 July 2019.
  31. ^ "Max Kretzschmar signs a new deal". Woking F.C. 4 July 2019. Retrieved 4 July 2019.
  32. ^ "Ebbsfleet United vs. Woking". Soccerway. 19 October 2019. Retrieved 1 September 2021.
  33. ^ "Woking vs. Ebbsfleet United". Soccerway. 22 October 2019. Retrieved 1 September 2021.
  34. ^ "Max Kretzschmar signs a new deal". Woking F.C. 9 July 2020. Retrieved 1 September 2021.
  35. ^ "Woking vs. Solihull Moors". Soccerway. 3 October 2020. Retrieved 1 September 2021.
  36. ^ "Wealdstone vs. Woking". Soccerway. 21 August 2021. Retrieved 1 September 2021.
  37. ^ O'Sullivan, Daniel (13 June 2022). "Max Kretzschmar Departs". Woking F.C. Retrieved 13 June 2022.
  38. ^ "NEW SIGNING | Stones capture Kretzschmar". 8 July 2022.
  39. ^ "Report | Wealdstone 3 Bromley 2". 7 August 2022.
  40. ^ "Wealdstone 1-1 Woking". BBC Sport.
  41. ^ "England - M. Kretzschmar - Profile with news, career statistics and history - Soccerway".
  42. ^ "Kretzschmar signs new deal". 16 June 2023.
  43. ^ "Wealdstone 2-1 York City". BBC Sport. 5 August 2023.
  44. ^ "Max Kretzschmar signs new deal". 16 May 2024.
  45. ^ "Ex-Hampton School boy set to make most of League Two shot as opportunity knocks". Your Local Guardian. 27 December 2013. Retrieved 1 March 2017.
  46. ^ a b "M. Kretzschmar: Summary". uk.soccerway.com. Retrieved 25 July 2022.