West Brom scout Kevin Dove is set to retire from his role at the club after 20 years with the Baggies, according to the Express and Star.
Dove arrived at the Hawthorns in 1999 after being brought in by Albion legend Bobby Hope during his own tenure as a member of the youth setup.
Over the course of the past two decades Dove has spotted several players who have gone on to have successful professional careers, and is responsible for the scouting of Sam Field, Rayhaan Tulloch, Kemar Roofe, and Romaine Sawyers, amongst others.
OPINION
It’s always a little bittersweet when a figure like Dove announces his retirement from a club. He may not be one of the big stars whose name gets sang from the terraces, but he has, for two decades, been an integral figure behind the scenes, and his presence will no doubt be missed hugely. That being said, there should also be a lot of recognition for what he has achieved during his time at the Hawthorns, and no doubt his tenure will be looked back on with fondness and gratitude. A good academy is almost always the mark of a well-ran club, and over the past few years, the Baggies have brought through a number of players who have managed to carve out really decent careers for themselves at the top level. The next crop of youngsters is arguably the most exciting in a while, and although he may not be around to see it on a day-to-day basis, you can bet that Dove will be keeping a close eye on things as a loyal supporter.