It has been an interesting few months for 16-year-old Ollie Dewsbury.
Whereas members of the senior team enjoyed their off-season holidays over the summer, the young striker was completing his GCSEs.
As those exams came to an end, and Dewsbury began to think about a bit of time to rest before a return to hard work, the call came from the Bristol Rovers first team. He was in the senior squad for pre-season, returning to The Quarters at the start of July.
It was the call the young forward had been hoping to receive.
“The exams went okay! I passed all the ones I needed to pass, so there is no need for any resits, which I’m very happy about. Obviously, the exams came in the off-season so I couldn’t really go away and have a holiday, but I’ve got them done and I don’t think it was too bad. I found a good balance between the exams and my football.
“I got the exams done and then, a week before pre-season started, we were in for some testing and I was told then that I would be with the senior team on the first week. I was also told that they would make a decision after the first week whether I stuck around for the next week too.”
It is testament to Dewbury’s drive, willingness and tenacity that he not only was asked to return for the second week of pre-season, but ended up completing the entire pre-season schedule under Matt Taylor’s watchful eye.
“I think I can take it as a positive that I got through the first week, was involved in the second week, and then ultimately spent the whole of pre-season with the first team. I think it shows I did enough to earn my place in the squad for that period.
“I had a few conversations with coaches and older players about what has happened in the past when younger players have been in first-team sessions, so my main goal was to survive in there and show a bit of myself. I’m glad I got to do that.”
DEBUT DELIGHT
Having impressed in the first few days of pre-season, Dewsbury was rewarded for his efforts with 45 minutes in the opening match of the summer schedule, away to Melksham Town.
The teenager absolutely ensured he made the most of that appearance, finding space to confidently and maturely score Rovers’ second of the game on the way to a 4-2 win.
“I was really looking forward to the game but I didn’t know I was going to be getting any minutes until the day before,” Dewsbury explained. “When I came on for the second half, I just wanted to do as well as I can, and I wanted to make an impact. I think I was able to do that and I feel like it was my best game of pre-season.
“The lads were very complimentary. To get any sort of praise from seasoned professionals means the world, so to have that after scoring a goal was incredible. When it was people like Scott Sinclair and Chris Martin too, that means so much to a young player like me.”
The 16-year-old’s eagerness and comprehension meant he was also part of squads that played in pre-season against the likes of Bath City, Yeovil Town and Swansea City, as well as joining the team for the warm-weather training in Portugal.
Those sessions have proved invaluable for the young attacker, who has learned from all those around him, including some crucial advice from the manager.
“The first few games of men’s football took a bit of getting used to for me. I think I grew into it though and I’m hopeful of getting more men’s senior minutes this season or next season. I think, in the games I played, I could have delivered a bit more but I also am happy with how I did as well.
“People talk about physicality in the senior game as well, and it’s such a big thing, but there are also ways around it. As a striker, I can peel off my marker and get into pockets of space. The gaffer spoke to me about different ways of receiving the ball rather than just trying to pin a massive, older centre-back. He used to be a defender so he gave me some great tips. I’ve learned so much from him in training. I want to keep learning, developing and getting better.”
LONG-TERM LEARNING
Such specific advice means the world to Dewsbury, who is absorbing everything he is told like a sponge.
A further conversation with the coaching staff further emphasised to the Academy star that his development and wellbeing is the overall priority.
He continued: “I had a meeting with the coaching staff a couple of weeks ago and it was a really positive conversation. They laid out a plan for me for the future, a long-term plan that could help in my development, and the big message was to take it one step at a time. It was a really good conversation.
“I’m very eager to do well but I have to be reminded that I’m only 16 and I’ve got a lot of time to grow and develop, which the coaches have been really good about too. They want me to try and be the best player I can be in the U18s and see where the season takes me.
“For me personally, I just want to perform as well as I can in each game and maybe earn a couple more appearances for the first team in the cup competitions. Maybe there could be a loan in there too, if the right opportunity comes up. I’d love to get more men’s football experience. I think that would be amazing for my development.”
FORWARD THINKING
Dewsbury speaks with the maturity and confidence of a player ten years his senior. His calmness about his own progression is obvious, as is his modest belief in his own talent.
For the forward, there is a chance now to significantly impress in the environment he has always dreamed of, having grafted every year for the last decade to keep his place in the Rovers academy set-up, and Dewsbury is eager to make the most of it.
“I’ve been with the club since pre-Academy, almost ten years now,” he reflected. “I have no idea where the time has gone. Each year has just been about trying to get that letter that says I’ve been retained for the next year.
“Through that time though I’ve developed such a big love for the Club. I’ve been in the Thatchers’ End for some amazing moments too.
“I’m surrounded by really good people. Chris Martin has been really good with me in training, giving me so much advice and so many tips. Off the pitch, James Wilson has been so helpful. Before he moved on, James Connolly also always took the time to make sure I was okay.
“Then there are the lads who have been in my position and have come through the Academy, like I’m trying to do. Players like Scott and Kofi Shaw are the types of players I can look up to.
“Kofi is someone I was playing with in the U18s just last season, and now he’s in and around the first team on a day-to-day basis and doing really well. It’s great to see him do that and I’m really happy for him, but at the same time I want to be able to do the same. That’s my goal.”
