A Swindon midfielder is the latest Edgar Street loanee.
Dylan Reiss Mitchell is a 19-year-old attacking midfielder, who lives in South Birmingham with his parents Wayne and Kerry plus younger brother Curtis. He is a born and bred Brummie.
Back in 2018, Dylan was ensnared into the Aston Villa academy where he would stay for 5 years. (His younger brother is also with the sane academy). Last season, he had little game time in the U18s (110 minutes by December) so he was loaned to full tine Alvechurch just before Christmas.
The initial loan period was later extended to the rest of the season. Mitchell was heading for a release by the Seals so he was better off playing mens’ football where he might get noticed. He was a regular performer and a stand out one too. Quick with praise was Talking Bull admirer and club chair Richard Thorndike. “Running out of superlatives for this young player” said he. Mitchell was awarded the Managers Player of the season trophy, his Gaffer quick to highlight his ability in possession, particularly when moving the ball forward.
Swindon Town were tipped off about the young talent. Dylan was initially on trial there, playing as one of a back three in friendlies before agreeing a one-year deal. Whilst young players are grateful to have guaranteed work, the Robins are not exactly the most stable football club. On the opening day, Mitchell was on the bench., You can interpret that as the midfielder standing out. Or that the Wiltshire club are struggling financially. Just days later he came off the bench to make his EFL debut. The step up was big and Swindon being in relegation trouble, there was little patience with such a raw 19- year-old.
Dylan’s CV shows five appearances but these are Dellicott-type appearances. Mitchell managed 8 minutes total in the EFL and 82 in all across EFL Trophy and EFL Cup matches. He’s not seen the first team League bench since the end of September. Swindon are in genuine danger of being relegated from the EFL. They need “old lags” not potential. The young midfielder needs games.
Caddis is respected and trusted at Swindon to do the right thing. Hereford’s training base is only a few miles from the Mitchell family home so that works too. Our back-up keeper Matt Hudson lives a couple of miles away from them so potential for car sharing ad buddying up, They have.. “shudder”.. a shared interest in Villa.
With Tate Campbell suspended and our other centre mid players rather off-form, the new arrival has the chance of serious first team action. The times they are a changing. If he impresses, then maybe an extension is possible. Depending on who Swindon can bring in during January, there may or may not be a future at the County Ground for young Mitchell. He has every reason to impress at the Street. Come on down Dylan.
Simon Wright
