Kevin Dove flies West Brom nest after 20 years

Kevin Dove has been an academy scout diligently scouring the local fields for talented youngsters for almost two decades.

He has been a crucial part of the academy’s recent success, and was the man who urged the Baggies to keep hold of Field when he was due to be released.

Dove was originally brought into the club in 1999 by legendary inside forward Bobby Hope when the double cup-winning player was an Albion scout. And he’s seen the academy grow dramatically in his time.

“The real big leap forward was when we built the dome in Halfords Lane,” Dove told Albion News. “That was massive, that puts us in front of everybody in this area.

“It made my job much more straightforward. You bring the parent in on a Friday night, show them what we’ve got.”

A lifelong Baggies fan, Dove is now looking forward to going back to being a supporter.

Head of Junior Recruitment Steve Hopcroft paid tribute to the long-serving scout, saying: “Kevin has been an amazing servant to the club and especially the academy.

“His loyalty has never wavered. Kevin’s stubbornness has been his greatest strength and this has led to some fantastic talent being signed.

“When Kevin recently informed me that he wanted to finish at the end of the season, obviously I tried to change his mind.”