Schoolboy from Falkirk to coach the Glasgow Caledonia Gladiators
A ten-year-old boy from Falkirk is set to coach his favourite basketball team after dressing up as their coach for Halloween.
Last updated 9th Nov 2023
A ten-year-old boy from Falkirk is set to coach his favourite basketball team after dressing up as their coach for Halloween.
Max Philliban went dressed as the Caledonia Gladiators' coach Gareth Murray to their last match, even wearing a replica of the coach's signature beard.
Along with the beard, he wore the club's strip, brought his own clipboard and wore a fake tattoo sleeve to match coach Gareth.
To thank Max for his efforts and for being a dedicated super fan, he has now been invited to help Mr Murray at an upcoming training session.
Max said: "I'm so excited that I'm getting to train with the team - I can't believe it.
"I just thought it would be funny to dress as Gareth, and happy it made him laugh when he saw me."
Apart from an annoying beard, Max says he had a great time at the game and loved meeting the team.
He said: "I love basketball and going to see the Gladiators play.
"Gareth and all the team are really friendly, so I'm really looking forward to seeing them again."
Max has been going to the Gladiator's games with his mum for the last three seasons after falling in love with the sport.
He plays with the Falkirk Fury's Under 12s, where Gladiator stars Johnny Bunyan and Fraser Malcom began their careers.
Coach Gareth says it was "really special" that Max dressed up as him when he could have gone as anyone.
He said: "Everyone at the club absolutely loved Max's costume, and it really raised a smile when I first spotted him in the crowd at our recent game.
"I think it gave some of the players a good laugh as well, and it was great to get a chance to chat to Max and his family after the game."
"We'd love to have Max along to help us train for one of our upcoming matches - I was joking to some of the team that he certainly looks the part as a head coach."
Max's mum, Linsey Philliban, says he's ecstatic to be invited along and be a real coach for the day.
She said: "When we told Max he'd get the chance to train with the team, his wee face lit up - he was over the moon.
"Max loves interacting with the players. The whole team are so friendly and have so much time for the fans."
But coach Gareth isn't too worried about Max stealing his job, in fact he encourages it.
He said: "The more people involved in basketball the better.
"If he wants to come along and take my job in a few years time, he can take it."
The club is currently arranging a date for Max to come along and train with the club.