Max Crocombe: Millwall goalkeeper ‘always believes’ he will play

Four seasons ago, Max Crocombe was facing the likes of King’s Lynn Town, Weymouth and Dover Athletic in the fifth tier of English football.

But since moving to Millwall in the summer, the New Zealand international goalkeeper has established himself as Alex Neil’s firm number one between the sticks.

The 32-year-old is likely to make his 13th Championship appearance of the season against Blackburn Rovers on Saturday, and his 16th in all competitions since moving to The Den from Burton Albion.

It has been a quick climb through the leagues for Crocombe, who won promotion via the National League play-offs with Grimsby Town in 2021-22 before moving to the Pirelli Stadium the following year.

He made 86 appearances in League One before his move to London came around this year.

And despite seeing Steven Benda arrive on loan from Fulham during the same transfer window, Crocombe was confident he would be able to play his way into the team.

“To step up the levels one by one and then get the opportunity in the Championship was a dream come true,” he told BBC Radio London.