KYLE’S USING RUGBY POWER
‘I can win 50-50s’
KYLE DEMPSEY chose the Football League over Super League and the multi-talented 19-year-old says he has no regrets over the life-changing decision.
The midfielder was offered a youth contract at Wigan Warriors at the age of 16, while Carlisle gave him the chance to make a career in football.
In the end, opting for the round ball was not a hard choice and Dempsey’s dedication to his hometown club has paid off, with a long run in the first team this season.
The list of British multi-sport athletes holds some famous names, with Ian Botham turning out for Scunthorpe United, the Neville brothers representing Lancashire at cricket and Curtis Woodhouse swapping his feet for his fists in the ring.
But for Dempsey the football pitch was always where his heart lay, although that’s not to say he doesn’t still feel the benefit of his oval-ball past.
“At the time it was tough to leave the rugby behind, but it was a decision that had to be made,” he said.
“I was doing my GCSEs at the time and all of the sport was getting in the way a bit.
Agility
“I was offered a youth contract at Wigan and also a YTS contract at Carlisle, and seeing as though Carlisle stuck with me since I was eight years old I thought it would be silly to refuse their offer.
“I had more football in my heart than I did rugby – I was enjoying my football more and luckily it’s proving, fingers crossed, to be the better option.
“I think my agility in rugby always helped me get past more players, and that’s now starting to pay off in my football too.
“I’m getting the ball and I’m able to beat people and turn and that comes from my agility and rugby training.
“The power side of rugby also helps me when going in for challenges as I know I can win the 50-50s.”
After featuring largely as a substitute last season in Carlisle’s doomed battle against League One relegation, Dempsey found himself very much in favour under Graham Kavanagh this year.