Former managers rave about West Brom youngster and backs flyer to ‘go far’

Tom Fellows burst onto the Albion first-team scene with a relentless desire to succeed and an exciting skill set to match. The 20-year-old Albion youngster, known for his traditional chalk-on-the-boots wing play, sought a dose of experience in the summer of 2022. It was then that Kevin Betsy, the manager of Crawley Town and a well-respected talent scout with a strong background in academy football, reached out.

Betsy commented on Fellows’ loan capture, saying, “Tom is an exciting attacking player that brings quality to our squad. He is highly regarded by West Brom.”

Although the rapid winger had been part of Albion’s academy since the under-10 level and had made a handful of appearances under Valerien Ismael as a raw teenager, including a start in January 2022 against Cardiff, it became evident that Fellows, like many youth players, needed a transitional phase between under-21s football and regular senior action for the Baggies.

 

Fellows embraced the opportunity at Broadfield Stadium, the home of the former non-league Red Devils, even though it may not have been the most glamorous League Two option. Darren Byfield, Fellows’ assistant coach and interim boss at Crawley, expressed his admiration, stating, “I absolutely love the boy. He didn’t get the goal that he wanted and he had a lot of chances. As a young boy, he missed chances, but let’s talk about his game…unbelievable.”

Byfield went on to praise Fellows’ on-field performance, describing him as a captivating player who makes fans “get off their seats.” Despite the challenging season at Crawley, marked by managerial changes and chaos, Fellows displayed dedication both on and off the pitch. Byfield highlighted Fellows’ positive attitude, work ethic, and predicted that he would develop into a highly skilled footballer.

Recalling the tumultuous season at Crawley, Byfield reflected on Fellows’ commitment, noting that even on days off, he stayed engaged and built strong relationships with teammates like Mazeed Ogungbo from Arsenal.

In summary, Fellows’ loan spell at Crawley proved to be a crucial bridge in his development, showcasing not only his on-field prowess but also his admirable attitude and dedication to improvement.