Max Dowman’s Journey to Arsenal
Max Dowman’s choice of club was never in doubt when he was spotted playing beyond his age group for Billericay Town’s youth team in 2015. The Essex town, famous for being a backdrop in the BBC show Gavin and Stacey, has football loyalties often split between Tottenham and West Ham. At just six years old, Dowman had already drawn the attention of scouts from major London academies.
“He had a lot of options,” explains Nick Hutt, chair of Billericay’s youth section, who first watched Dowman play at the age of four. “But the family are dedicated Arsenal fans, so they opted for Arsenal.”
Now, a decade later, Mikel Arteta is witnessing the fruits of this decision. Dowman recently set multiple records at Arsenal’s Hale End academy and became the youngest player to start a match for the club at 15 years and 302 days during a Carabao Cup match against Brighton.
“A small smile, that’s typical of him,” commented the proud Arsenal manager when asked about Dowman’s response to breaking the previous record set by his under-18 teammate Jack Porter.
Dowman’s potential has been evident to Arsenal supporters ever since he trained with Arteta’s squad shortly after turning 14. A detailed development plan is in place for him, with insiders noting he’s one of the most talented players at his age. Earlier this year, he became the youngest player and goalscorer for the England Under-19s, and he may soon challenge Youssoufa Moukoko’s record for the youngest player in Champions League history.
Hutt believes Dowman’s family has helped prepare him for this rapid rise. His father, Rob, a dedicated Arsenal supporter, played a significant role in signing his scholarship last week despite interest from other clubs. “Max has always seemed mature for his age,” Hutt notes, emphasizing the supportive environment provided by his parents.
The Dowman family has deep ties to Billericay Town, with Rob Dowman’s history with the club stretching back to his own childhood. After Glenn Tamplin’s short tenure, Rob became part of the consortium that revitalized the club, strengthening its youth program. Max regularly returns to train with his former team during the off-season, serving as an inspiration to local kids.
