Marcus Baxter

If you were to ask a citizen of the Autocracy to name the nation’s greatest ever footballer they would have no hesitation, Marcus Baxter. Baxter came through the youth system of the now defunct Department of Law and Order football academy but played the majority of his football accross the border in Bettia’s Apex League with Akani Sands. But it was with the national side that he really shone.

For nearly two decades Baxter was the beating heart of the Hypocria midfield. He captained the nation’s youngsters in two editions of the Under-21 World Cup and was selected by Guylain N'Dumbu-Nsungu for the first ever senior national side. From there he amassed a record 145 caps and captained the side to their greatest achievement, winning AOCAF XI in Bettia. It was Baxter himself who scored both goals in the final against Sarzonia.

After hanging up his boots for the last time Baxter moved quickly into coaching and had spells in charge of the Under-21 side, the national academy and as assistant coach of the senior side. After Alex Santoro stepped down as coach of the seniors in the wake of the quarter final defeat to Krytenia at AOCAF XV it was Baxter who got the call to replace him. A decent tournament in Lamoni followed which included a win over great rivals Nedalia but more quarter final heartache would follow. As it would again four years later in Krytenia.

Baxter stepped down following AOCAF XVIII in Myrtannia. Having led the side to third place, their highest finish in thirty years, the coach opted to call it a day. His replacement is former Starblaydia international Javi Chavez, most recently the nation's Director of Elite Football.