Dewsbury’s Everton Trial
On 20 July the club reported that 18-year-old Ollie Dewsbury was training with Everton after several Premier League clubs, including Arsenal, Stoke City and Fulham, had shown interest. Assistant manager Paul Raynor confirmed the training the following day, saying “He’s training with Everton … we’ll wait and see what the feedback is from them.” Dewsbury had impressed in trial games against Shrewsbury Town and Sheffield United, but Everton’s U21 side decided not to sign him. Manager Steve Evans later explained that the club will “continue to monitor his progress” and that a loan move for Dewsbury is “looking likely” if he does not stay at Rovers. Dewsbury had already scored three goals in 18 appearances for Weston-super-Mare in the National League South during the 2025-26 season.
Hill Returns from Yeovil
The club announced on 22 July that 18-year-old Kian Hill had signed professional terms after making his first-team debut in the Vertu Trophy against Cheltenham Town. Hill had spent pre-season on a youth-experience loan at National League side Yeovil Town, where assistant manager Paul Raynor described him as “very good” after an 80-minute spell. Hill returned to Rovers on 7 August, with manager Evans saying he had “come back from that” and that a loan move would be the next step. Hill is currently the club’s Academy Player of the Season, having scored six goals and provided one assist for Bristol Manor Farm in the 2025-26 campaign.
Other Loan Movements
The academy’s loan strategy continues to bear fruit. Henry De-Long joined Bristol Manor Farm on a month’s loan on 15 August and was man of the match in a 0-0 draw against Portland United. Jay Horgan joined Didcot Town on a work-experience loan on 18 August, with the club welcoming the “creative midfielder” who has been in the Rovers academy since age nine.
Transfer Interest
Birmingham City and Stoke City are reportedly interested in signing Dewsbury permanently, with a loan to a National League club also a possibility after 1 September, when non-league teams can complete deals outside the EFL transfer window.
