Bristol Rovers is delighted to announce that Ollie Dewsbury has signed professional terms with the Club.
The 17-year-old marked the special occasion by putting pen-to-paper on his contract, flanked by his family, Academy Manager Byron Anthony and Director Of Football Ricky Martin at The Memorial Stadium.
Dewsbury made his professional debut at just 15 years old when he featured in an FA Cup First Round victory over Whitby Town in November 2023. The attacker has eight first team appearances to his name for the Gas and started his first Rovers senior match in the 2024/25 season finale away to Blackpool in May.
Dewsbury said. “It feels amazing to sign my first professional contract with Bristol Rovers. I’ve done a lot of hard work over the years and it’s such a proud moment for me. It just shows that if you put the work in, then the Academy is a route through to the first team at Rovers.
“I’ve been here since I was in the pre-Academy, over ten years now, and it definitely means a lot. Before stepping out on the pitch here, I was at The Mem in The Thatchers End cheering the team on, so it’s crazy that I’m now playing for the team and signing my first pro deal.
“The journey has had a lot of ups and downs. It’s been a hard one, but I’ve really, really enjoyed it. The staff have been amazing with me. Last year I had a different challenge with being out on loan, and then I came back to be in the first team has been a really good experience.
“Last season was definitely my biggest for Rovers so far and I’m looking to build on that now. I want to take what I’ve learned in the last year and bring it into this year. A lot of that experience is very important so I’m eager to keep it going.”
Academy Manager Anthony shared his pride in Dewsbury’s first professional contract at the Pirates.
Anthony said: “It is a joy to see Ollie sign his first professional terms with the Club.
“Ollie has been with us since he was seven and has worked immensely hard to get to this point. He possesses an elite mentality, is always striving to do more and be better, and his drive to improve his own standards has helped other players in our Academy push themselves even further too.
“Seeing him break into the first team over the last few months has been a real pleasure for everyone in the Academy and we look forward to continuing that journey with him in the 2025/26 season and beyond.”
Dewsbury started his Rovers career in the Academy at seven and worked his way through the age groups, impressing in an FA Youth Cup clash with Cheltenham Town in November 2023 and earning a spot in the senior squad for the FA Cup First Round match at home to Whitby Town.
The youngster would play the closing moments of that 7-2 win and, in the process, becomes the second-youngest player to ever pull on the blue-and-white quarters in a competitive fixture for the men’s first team.
Dewsbury trained with the senior side regularly and was included in pre-season for the 2024/25 season, earning his second senior showing in an EFL Trophy group stage match with Tottenham Hotspur U21.
A loan to Southern League Division One South club Yate Town followed in September 2024, with Dewsbury scoring his first senior goal in a 2-0 win against Cinderford Town a month later. He netted six goals in 14 appearances before then joining Taunton Town on loan in January 2025, scoring once in five Southern League Premier Division South fixtures.
The youngster was recalled from his loan to feature in the senior side in March 2025 and made his EFL debut for Rovers in the 1-0 Sky Bet League One victory over Huddersfield Town. He would reach six league appearances for the Gas, including a first start for the Club away to Blackpool in May.
Dewsbury’s efforts have also led to recognition on the international scene, with the forward earning a first call up to the Wales U18s squad in March.
Everyone at Bristol Rovers warmly congratulates Ollie on his first professional contract and wish him every success in his career at the Club.
