Max Paul Rushden (born 18 April 1979) is an English radio and television presenter and the current host of The Guardian's Football Weekly podcast.

Max Rushden
Born (1979-04-18) 18 April 1979 (age 45)
Cambridge, England
Occupation(s)TV and radio presenter
football journalist
podcaster
Employer(s)BBC London 94.9 (December 2006 – March 2008)
Soccer AM (August 2008 – 2015)
Talksport
BBC Radio 5 Live
The Guardian
Stan Sport
Writing career
GenreSports
SubjectAssociation football
Years active2006–current
Notable worksFootball Weekly
Website
maxrushden.com

Career

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Rushden's first presenting role was BBC London 94.9's breakfast show from December 2006 to March 2008. He turned down an offer to become a Blue Peter presenter to instead present the Saturday morning Sky Sports show Soccer AM alongside Helen Chamberlain from August 2008 until 2015.[1][2] After he left Soccer AM he hosted a weekly Sunday show with Barry Glendenning on Talksport then adding a Saturday morning to host alongside comedian Charlie Baker. [3] and also sitting in for Andy Jacobs on the Hawksbee & Jacobs show from 2020-2021 and occasionally since after the semi-retirement of Andy Jacobs and becoming the worst player in Birthday Spread history. He also has occasionally worked for BBC Radio 5 Live. He was a regular substitute presenter for James Richardson on Football Weekly, before becoming its main host in 2017 after Richardson quit to launch rival The Totally Football Show.[4]

Rushden explains that the show "ranges from proper analysis of what has happened on the pitch in the UK and around Europe, to commentary about serious issues off it, balanced with some complete nonsense."[5]

In 2021, Rushden signed with Australian UEFA competitions broadcaster Stan Sport to host their football coverage.[6] In October 2024, Rushden began hosting a new weekly show covering the A-League Men called The A-Leagues Download.[7] He is also a regular panellist on Network 10's The Project as of 2024.[8]

Personal life

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His paternal grandfather was actor and satirist Willie Rushton.[9] Rushden and the rest of his family changed their surname when Rushden was six years old, due to antisemitic threats.[10] Rushden is a lifelong fan of Cambridge United.[11] [12]

He once had his Renault Clio car repaired by darts player James Wade.[13]

In January 2023, Rushden's home was broken into. His Subaru car was stolen, and his company credit card was used to spend $84 at a South Melbourne McDonald's.[14] His car was located by the police and returned to him in March 2023.[15]

References

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  1. ^ "Soccer AM still worth waking up to". The Scotsman. 4 October 2008.
  2. ^ Rushden, Max; Glendenning, Barry; Brewin, John; Bandini, Nicky; Grove, Joel; Stephens, Danielle (24 March 2023). "Harry Kane leads England to first win in Italy since 1961 – Football Weekly podcast". the Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 29 March 2023.
  3. ^ https://ghanasoccernet.com/talksport-live-the-gameday-warm-up-with-max-rushden-and-charlie-baker. {{cite web}}: Missing or empty |title= (help)
  4. ^ Rickett, Oscar. "Soccer Is Not 'Art', and That's Fine", Vice Media, 6 July 2018. Retrieved on 15 August 2019.
  5. ^ Rushden, Max. "Knowledge and nonsense – in the studio with Guardian Football Weekly", The Guardian, 23 September 2017. Retrieved on 14 August 2019.
  6. ^ Mediaweek (10 August 2021). "Stan reveals Max Rushden and Craig Foster as UEFA commentators". Mediaweek. Retrieved 10 August 2021.
  7. ^ "WATCH: New weekly online show launched to cover A-League". Friends of Football. 21 October 2024. Retrieved 11 November 2024.
  8. ^ PodcastingToday (30 August 2024). "Max Rushden and David O'Doherty launch new comedy podcast - PodcastingToday". Retrieved 11 November 2024.
  9. ^ "X". X. Retrieved 1 February 2024.
  10. ^ "Instagram". www.instagram.com. Retrieved 1 February 2024.
  11. ^ "Meet Max!". Sky Sports. 25 June 2008. Retrieved 31 March 2021.
  12. ^ Rushden, Max (19 October 2023). "Sometimes it's OK for middle-aged sports presenters to say nothing". The Guardian.
  13. ^ Liew, Presented by Max Rushden with Jonathan; Fisher, Ben; Grove, John Brewin Produced by Joel (18 November 2021). "Wales' World Cup dream and Stockport's FA Cup magic – Football Weekly Extra". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 19 November 2021.
  14. ^ Glendenning, Presented by Max Rushden with Barry; Langdon, Mark; Gray, Jonathan Fadugba Produced by Joel Grove with Silas; Stephens, our executive producer is Danielle (26 January 2023). "Manchester United close on Wembley and an FA Cup preview – Football Weekly Extra". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 27 January 2023.
  15. ^ Rushden, Max; Glendenning, Barry; Ronay, Barney; Grove, Joel; Stephens, Danielle (6 March 2023). "Crisis, what crisis? Liverpool hit Manchester United for seven – Football Weekly". the Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 8 March 2023.