FROM THE ACADEMY GATES TO A FIRST PRO CONTRACT

Six seasons in the development setup, a debut on the opening day, and now a first professional deal. Dylan Lennox is eighteen and already a regular in the Kingsmere midfield.

The pathway was built one step at a time – under-12s to under-18s, then the reserves, then a long wait by the door of the first team. The door opened on day one of the season, and he hasn’t given the shirt back.

“You don’t rush these things,” Charlie Denby said. “When they’re ready, they’re ready, and you’ll know. This one was ready.”