The club is delighted to announce the permanent signing of attacking midfielder Max Kretzschmar, who will not only join Alan Dowson’s side on the pitch, but will also be joining the coaching staff as an assistant manager alongside Luke Ruddick.
Kretzschmar, 32, is returning to the Bev having previously turned out for Hampton & Richmond Borough in Dowse’s last season as manager in his first stint, 2017/18.
The Southwest London local appeared 52 times in all competitions, scoring 20 goals.
In the National League South playoffs, Kretzschmar scored the only goal in the semi-final clash, a penalty in a 1-0 victory over Chelmsford City. In the final, he opened the scoring in the 1-1 draw against Braintree Town which ultimately ended in defeat on penalties.
After a successful campaign, he followed Dowson to Woking, having initially joined HRBFC after being released by The Cardinals. He enjoyed another successful season at National League South level, scoring 13 goals and going one further in the National League Play-Offs, again scoring in the semi-final, a crucial 86th-minute equalizer against Wealdstone, before going on to win promotion back to the National League by besting Welling United at the first time of asking.
He left Woking after three more successful seasons in the National League, scoring 22 goals, including 13 in his final campaign in 21/22.
He joined Wealdstone and has made 118 league appearances in four years for the London club, finishing as their joint top scorer in the 23/24 season as well as being named one of the club’s vice-captains for this campaign.
On the new signing, Dowson added, “I first met him when he was six years old at a school I used to coach in…So if there’s any player that know me, know how I play [Max is that.”
“He will bring massive leadership qualities on the pitch as well as goals and creativity.”
In regard to his hybrid coaching role, Dowson stated, “The way the game is changing, I think you need one of your assistant managers on the pitch. Because he knows me better than anybody, it’ll be important for us.”
On returning to the Bev, Kretzschmar said, “I’ve been driving around the last week or so just smiling and buzzing to come back as a player and in my other role aswell!”
“[My last season here was] genuinely the favourite season of my career and I’m not just saying that. We had such a good dressing room, we had a low budget…I think we achieved well over expectations that season.”
The now 32-year-old was 24 when he first arrived at HRBFC, but he said his game hasn’t changed, “[I] Always base my game on goals and assists, I want to affect games like that and I’ve always done that. [I am still] high energy but [I am] more of a leader on the pitch now than before. I was a senior player at Woking and most recently one of the vice-captains at Wealdstone so I want to bring a bit of experience, a bit of unity to the club.”
Watch his first interview back HERE!
Max isn't the only new signing today click HERE! to find out who it was!
Max will be at the Bev Saturday and should be too! Secure your tickets HERE!