JOHN DEMPSTER FACTFILE

Born: Kettering, 1983 (Age 33)

2001-07: A defender, Dempster played for Rushden & Diamonds’ youth sides while still studying his A-levels and travelled with the first team from the age of 16. Signed his first professional contract when he was 18 and was part of the side that won the Football League Third Division in 2002-03. Joined Oxford United in January 2006, but suffered relegation the next season as the U’s dropped out the Football League.

2007-11: Moved to hometown club Kettering Town and won the Conference North in his first full season. Also took on the captain’s armband. In 2009 he led the Poppies out against Premier League Fulham in the FA Cup fourth round and, the next season, helped them take Leeds United to a replay.

2011-2012: Crawley Town’s Project Promotion was in full swing and Dempster was snapped up in the January transfer window. By April he had won his third league title as the Red Devils won the Conference. Had a short spell on loan at former club Kettering at the beginning of the following season but returned and, despite only making a handful of appearances, won a second successive promotion when Crawley finished third in League Two.

2012-present: Released by Crawley, Dempster joined Mansfield Town, where he had a loan spell the previous season, permanently. Won the Conference Premier in 2012-13 and played for the Stags in League Two before taking on his current role as U18s manager.