A stylish midfielder who was named Under-17s captain in 2025/26, Dylan Lovely first joined the club a decade ago and made his youth team debut as a 14-year-old in the EFL Youth Alliance South East Conference against Cheltenham Town in March 2023.

Lovely, who possesses a long throw and provides a threat from set-pieces and open play, spent a season at Leyton Orient after the Shrimpers Academy lost its elite status, but returned in 2025. Started the season on a dual-registration with Great Wakering Rovers in the Essex Senior League.