Max Smallcombe, from Bodmin, came through the academy and played for Wales under-16s and under-17s alongside Ethan Ampadu. After playing once in the EFL Trophy in 2016, he was released and later studied at Loughborough University.    

Max became a scholar/trainee in 2015 and was under-18s captain in 2016/17 signing his first professional contract at St James Park in April 2017. Having previously played for Wales under-16s whilst still at school, Max appeared for the under-17s during his first year as a City trainee.     

Max’s solitary first-team appearance came as a second-year trainee against Oxford United in the EFL Trophy on 30 August 2016. During his first year as a professional Max had a loan period at Bideford to be followed the next season by stints at Tiverton Town and Truro City.

On his release by City in 2019, Max joined Truro before moving on to Bideford and Bodmin. He later studied at Loughborough University where he played in both university and non-league football. He was a member of the Loughborough Students FC side that reached the semi-finals of the FA Vase in 2021/22 and, as of 2022/23, Max was playing for the Students in a team that was doing well in the United Counties League.