Derby County Opportunity For Young Beaver

Randall became the club’s youngest ever player in November, when he appeared as a substitute in the 5-1 Buildbase FA Trophy win over Harlow Town.

Coming on at the age of 16 years and 309 days, Randall broke a record that stood for forty-three years, and since then has been impressing everyone at The Beveree.

Randall went on to make headlines in the FA Trophy on 16th December, when he came off of the bench against Heybridge Swifts and scored a dramatic 92nd minute equaliser to earn the Beavers a replay.

It was a very well taken goal that got everyone talking, and has since earned him an appearance for the first-team squad in the National League South.

Crosby went to see Randall at the Oxford City game, where he made a brief but lively appearance, but has largely gone to Derby on the recommendation of the Hampton coaching staff.

Manager Alan Dowson drove Randall to Derby on Tuesday, to see him settle in. However, Randall is expected to be back and available for selection for the weekend’s game against Hemel Hempstead Town, should Dowson wish to include him.

Randall, who will be 17 this month, is a first-year scholar at the Hampton academy, and has already played a trial game for Stevenage this season, while Ipswich Town have also invited him to train with them.

Randall and fellow academy team-mate Enoch Soganile signed contracts with the club in December, and have been involved with the first-team squad since - with Soganile even managing to make two first-team starts, away in the Trophy and Middlesex County Cup.

(Photo shows Dylan Randall and Enoch Soganile signing their Hampton deals)