Stu Clelland

Newtongrange Star can confirm we have accepted an offer from Bonnyrigg Rose for 19 year old midfielder Max Dowling. Max has agreed personal terms and leaves The Club to join the League 2 side. Max played with our youth team before signing for our U20s in June 2021 at age 16. He won Player of the Year for the 20s in his first season, and then co-captained the side to the league title the year after as well as winning Player of the Year again with some incredible individual performances. Max made his first start for our first team at age 17 in April 2023, having immediately been promoted by Paul Milligan to the first team squad. He has played more games, and made more starts, than any other player since then, and also captained the side on several occasions. Paul Milligan: “It was inevitable that Max would move up the leagues sooner rather than later. He had made it clear he wanted to test himself at the highest possible level which I fully respect and understand. It’s a great move for him, a great deal for the club and Bonnyrigg are getting one of the best young players in the region. We are gutted to lose him, but proud we have played our part in his development. He is a class act on and off the park, and I believe he will thrive at a higher level and continue to get better and better. Our commitment to giving young players an opportunity to play first team football with a platform to showcase their talents and progress in the game is something we are very proud of. There is no better example of that than Max Dowling”. Everyone at the club wishes Maxy every success in the future.