Max Power (footballer) explained

Max Power
Fullname:Max McAuley Power
Birth Date:1993 7, df=y
Birth Place:Birkenhead, Merseyside, England[1]
Height:1.81m (05.94feet)
Position:Midfielder, right back
Youthyears1:2002–2011
Youthclubs1:Tranmere Rovers
Years1:2011–2015
Clubs1:Tranmere Rovers
Caps1:109
Goals1:12
Years2:2015–2019
Clubs2:Wigan Athletic
Caps2:127
Goals2:11
Years3:2018–2019
Clubs3:Sunderland (loan)
Caps3:16
Goals3:2
Years4:2019–2021
Clubs4:Sunderland
Caps4:92
Goals4:9
Years5:2021–2023
Caps5:89
Goals5:4
Years6:2023–
Caps6:10
Goals6:0
Club-Update:01:08, 18 April 2024 (UTC)

Max McAuley Power (born 27 July 1993) is an English professional footballer who plays for Al-Qadsiah as a midfielder. He began his career with Tranmere Rovers and then spent time with Wigan Athletic and Sunderland, making more than 100 Football League appearances with each club, before rejoining Wigan in 2021.

Career

Tranmere Rovers

Early career

Born in Birkenhead, Wirral, Power joined local Tranmere Rovers' youth set-up at the age of eight and captained the club at every age group including the first team.[2] He chose to join the team instead of signing for Liverpool.[3] After impressing in the Tranmere Rovers Reserve team he was awarded a professional contract in May 2011.[4] Manager Les Parry was confident Power had a bright future in the game, but warned the youngster about his aggression.[5] He compared him to Joss Labadie, another young and talented Rovers midfielder with a reputation as a hothead.[6] Power spent time on loan at Colwyn Bay in the 2010–11 season.[7]

2011–12 season

Power made his first team debut in the Football League Trophy clash with Port Vale on 30 August 2011; he replaced Andy Robinson on 66 minutes before he went on to score a penalty in the penalty shootout victory.[8] On 10 September he made his League One debut, starting in a 0–2 defeat away to Huddersfield Town and making way for Labadie after 77 minutes.[9] He ended his first season with four league appearances and two in the Football League Trophy.

2012–13 season

Power scored his first goal for the club on 13 November 2012, concluding a 3–0 win against Braintree Town in the FA Cup first round after coming on for James Wallace.[10] He scored his first league goal for the club on 26 December, as they came from behind to win 2–1 against Crewe Alexandra at Prenton Park.[11] On 4 March, he extended his contract, keeping him at the club until June 2015.[12]

2013–14 season

In the following season, Power scored his first goal on 15 March 2014, equalising in the 15th minute of an eventual 1–2 home defeat by Swindon Town.[13] His only other goal of the campaign was on 12 April, opening a 2–1 home win over Shrewsbury Town;[14] both teams were relegated at the end of the season.

2014–15 season

On 7 October 2014, Power opened the scoring as Tranmere drew 1–1 at home against Carlisle United in the Football League Trophy second round, advancing via a penalty shootout.[15] He scored the only goal in the FA Cup first round against Bristol Rovers on 8 November, converting a penalty after handball by Mark McChrystal.[16] Three days later, he equalised as Tranmere came from behind to win 2–1 at Bury in the quarter-finals of the Football League Trophy.[17]

He opened the scoring in the semi-finals on 9 December, a 2–2 draw against Walsall, and scored in the shootout although his team were knocked out.[18] A week later, Power concluded a 2–1 comeback to defeat Oxford United in an FA Cup second round replay.[19] He again netted in the third round on 3 January 2015, albeit in a 2–6 defeat to Premier League club Swansea City.[20] On his 100th league appearance for Tranmere, he opened the scoring in a 2–1 win away to Cambridge United on 17 March.[21] Tranmere needed to win away at Plymouth Argyle on 25 April to retain their place in The Football League, but Power fouled Dominic Blizzard to concede a penalty which Reuben Reid scored. He equalised from the edge of the penalty area, but his team lost 2–3, and thus were relegated to the Conference, ending a 94-year tenure in the league.[22]

Wigan Athletic

On 3 July 2015, Power signed for Wigan Athletic on a three-year contract.[23] He scored a free-kick in the club's first pre-season match, a 2–1 win against Queen of the South in La Manga Club.[24] On 9 August he played the full 90 minutes as Wigan began the League One season with a 2–0 defeat to Coventry City at the Ricoh Arena.[25] On 26 September, he scored his first goal for Wigan in a 1–1 draw at Oldham Athletic, opening the scoring from 30 yards.[26]

Sunderland

On 9 August 2018, Power signed for Sunderland on loan from Wigan Athletic.[27] During his loan spell, Power received three straight red cards against Oxford United, Bradford City and Walsall, although the latter was rescinded 2 days later.[28] On 2 January 2019, Power's loan to Sunderland became permanent, signing a -year contract.[29] Power also went on to make appearances in both the 2019 EFL Trophy Final and the League One play-off final, suffering defeat in both.[30] [31] Power was named Sunderland's team captain at the beginning of the 2020–21 season.[32] He subsequently lifted the trophy following Sunderland's 1–0 win over Tranmere in the 2021 EFL Trophy Final.[33] On 25 May 2021 it was announced that he would leave Sunderland at the end of the season, following the expiry of his contract.[34]

Return to Wigan Athletic

On 16 June 2021, Power agreed to reunite with manager Leam Richardson ahead of the 2021–22 campaign on a two-year deal. In April 2022 Power picked up his third League One title with Wigan Athletic following a 3–0 victory over Shrewsbury Town.[35]

Al-Qadsiah

On 12 July 2023, Power joined Saudi First Division League club Al-Qadsiah.[36]

Personal life

Power attended Wirral Grammar School for Boys, and is named after his parents' pet labrador.[3] He once feared that he was named after Homer Simpson's brief name change in The Simpsons episode "Homer to the Max", before discovering that the episode aired when he was six years old.[3] He has also posed for a motoring magazine which shares his name.[37]

Career statistics

Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
ClubSeasonLeagueFA CupLeague CupOtherTotal
DivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoals
Tranmere Rovers2011–12League One4000002[38] 060
2012–13League One273311010324
2013–14League One332002010362
2014–15League Two4574310335313
Total1091274407312719
Wigan Athletic2015–16League One446101020486
2016–17Championship4202010450
2017–18League One40570101[39] 0495
2018–19Championship10000010
Total12711100303014311
Sunderland2018–19League One354301070464
2019–20League One312204110383
2020–21League One425101091536
Total10811606117113713
Wigan Athletic2021–22League One443512031545
2022–23Championship391200000411
Total834712031956
Career total4273830515130550249

Honours

Wigan Athletic

2015–16,[40] 2017–18,[41] 2021–22[35]

Sunderland

2020–21;[42] runner-up: 2018–19[43]

Al-Qadsiah

2023–24

External links

Notes and References

  1. Book: Glenda. Rollin. Jack. Rollin. Sky Sports Football Yearbook 2012–2013. 2012. Headline Publishing Group. London. 978-0-7553-6356-8. 545. 43rd.
  2. Web site: Name:Max Power. Tranmere Rovers F.C.. 31 August 2011. https://web.archive.org/web/20110924082112/https://www.tranmererovers.co.uk/page/ProfilesDetail/0,,10365~52265,00.html. 24 September 2011.
  3. News: McCormick. Sean. Who is Max Power? The creative midfielder Sunderland have signed on loan. 3 September 2018. Chronicle Live. 10 August 2018.
  4. News: Tranmere Offer Pair Professional Contracts. 11 May 2011. Tranmere Rovers F.C.. 31 August 2011.
  5. News: Parry on Power. 17 June 2011. Tranmere Rovers F.C.. 31 August 2011.
  6. News: Tranmere Rovers new professional Max Power told to improve discipline. 18 May 2011. Liverpool Daily Post. 31 August 2011.
  7. News: Colwyn Bay title push up to Max Power. 22 December 2010. North Wales Pioneer. 7 January 2018.
  8. News: Rovers spot on. 10 April 2015. Sky Sports. 30 August 2011.
  9. News: Terriers extend impressive run. 10 April 2015. Sky Sports. 10 September 2011.
  10. https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/20216766 "Braintree Town 0–3 Tranmere"
  11. https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/20779003 "Tranmere 2–1 Crewe"
  12. https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/21659182 "Max Power: Tranmere Rovers midfielder extends contract"
  13. News: Tranmere 1–2 Swindon. 10 April 2015. BBC Sport. 25 March 2014.
  14. News: Tranmere 2–1 Shrewsbury. 10 April 2015. BBC Sport. 12 April 2014.
  15. News: Davies sends Tranmere through. 10 April 2015. Sky Sports. 8 October 2014.
  16. News: Tranmere 1–0 Bristol Rovers. 10 April 2015. BBC Sport. 8 November 2014.
  17. News: Tranmere fight back rocks Bury. 10 April 2015. Sky Sports. 12 November 2014.
  18. News: Walsall book JPT area final spot. 10 April 2015. Sky Sports. 10 December 2014.
  19. News: Tranmere 2–1 Oxford Utd. 10 April 2015. BBC Sport. 16 December 2014.
  20. News: Tranmere 2–6 Swansea. 10 April 2015. BBC Sport. 3 January 2015.
  21. News: Max Power: Tranmere Rovers have 'nine cup finals' left. 10 April 2015. BBC Sport. 17 March 2015.
  22. News: Moreton. Nick. Plymouth 3 Tranmere 2: Defeat ends Rovers' 94-year stay in the Football League. 26 April 2015. Liverpool Echo. 25 April 2015.
  23. https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/33283488 "Max Power: Wigan Athletic sign Tranmere Rovers midfielder"
  24. http://www.wiganlatics.co.uk/news/article/wigan-athletic-2-queen-of-the-south-1-la-manga-practice-match-2534151.aspx? "Wigan Athletic win 2–1 against Queen of the South"
  25. News: Coventry 2–0 Wigan. 16 August 2015. BBC Sport. 8 August 2015.
  26. News: Oldham 1–1 Wigan. 28 September 2015. BBC Sport. 26 September 2015.
  27. Web site: Max Power: Sunderland sign Wigan midfielder on loan. BBC Sport. 10 August 2018. 10 August 2018.
  28. News: Max Power: Sunderland midfielder's red card against Walsall rescinded on appeal. 2018-11-26. 2019-07-31.
  29. Web site: Sunderland convert midfielder's loan deal into permanent transfer. The Northern Echo. 2019-07-31.
  30. News: Checkatrade Trophy final: Portsmouth 2–2 Sunderland (aet, 5–4 on pens). 2019-03-31. 2019-07-31.
  31. News: League One play-off final: Charlton Athletic 2–1 Sunderland. 2019-05-26. 2019-08-26.
  32. Web site: Max Power named as Sunderland's new team captain, as Grant Leadbitter becomes club captain. Chronicle Live. 8 September 2020. 17 March 2021.
  33. Web site: Sunderland won at Wembley for the first time in almost 50 years as they beat Tranmere Rovers to claim their first EFL Trophy.. BBC Sport. 14 March 2020. 17 March 2021.
  34. Web site: 2021–22: Retained list confirmed . safc.com . 25 May 2021.
  35. News: Wigan promoted as League One champions . BBC Sport . 2022-05-03.
  36. Web site: الإنجليزي باور يعزز وسط القادسية . 12 July 2023 . Arabic.
  37. Web site: Great footballing names: Max Power. 3 September 2018.
  38. Appearance(s) in Football League Trophy
  39. Appearance(s) in EFL Trophy
  40. Book: John . Anderson . Sky Sports Football Yearbook 2016–2017 . 2016 . Headline Publishing Group . London . 978-1-4722-3395-0 . 382–383.
  41. Book: John . Anderson . Football Yearbook 2018–2019 . 2018 . Headline Publishing Group . London . 978-1-4722-6106-9 . 382–383.
  42. News: Sunderland 1–0 Tranmere Rovers . Brent . Pilnick . BBC Sport . 14 March 2021 . 22 March 2021.
  43. News: Portsmouth 2–2 Sunderland . Adam . Williams . BBC Sport . 31 March 2019 . 7 May 2019.