John Dempster (footballer)

John Dempster (born 1 April 1983) is a UEFA Pro Licence football coach and former player who manages the Coventry City under-21s. Born in England, he made one appearance for the Scotland U21 national team.

Rushden & Diamonds
Born in Kettering, Northamptonshire, Dempster began his career playing in the Football League for Rushden & Diamonds.

Oxford United
In 2006 Dempster signed for Oxford United during the January transfer window.

Kettering Town
From 2007 he has been playing for Kettering Town, where he captained the side to promotion to the Conference Premier, and was awarded Players' Player and Supporters' player.

Crawley Town
Following a string of impressive performances for Kettering Town, Dempster was signed by Crawley Town for an undisclosed fee in the 2011 transfer window, in the middle of their promotion-winning season that saw Crawley elevated to the Football League.

Mansfield Town
In May 2012, Dempster was released by Crawley after being deemed surplus to requirements following a handful of League 2 appearances that year and a loan spell at Conference Premier club Mansfield Town. He signed for Mansfield permanently for the 2012/13 season. After an injury and a spell on loan at Tamworth, Dempster established himself as a regular in the side that went on to win the Conference Premier on the last day of the season. Dempster signed a new contract at The Stags for 2013/14, making a return to the Football League. He captained the team in the absence of Adam Murray.

International career
Dempster is a former Scotland under-21 international, and has also represented Scotland at under-20 level. He is eligible to play for Scotland because his father is from Ayrshire.

He was also selected for Paul Fairclough's England National XI side back in 2006.

Coaching and managerial career
Dempster accepted the position of academy manager at Mansfield at the end of the 2014–15 season. On the resignation of club manager Steve Evans in February 2018, Dempster assumed the role of caretaker manager, until new manager David Flitcroft was confirmed 1 March 2018.

Dempster was promoted to the position of Mansfield Town manager when Flitcroft's contract was terminated 14 May 2019. He was sacked on 14 December 2019 following a poor run of form.

On 7 February 2020, Dempster was appointed as Coventry City's Lead Professional Development Phase Coach, which saw him take charge of the club's under-18 team.

On 2 August 2022, Dempster was appointed as Coventry City's Senior Professional Development Phase Coach, which saw him take charge of the club's under-21 team.

Honours
Rushden & Diamonds
 * Football League Third Division: 2002–03

Kettering Town
 * Conference North: 2007–08

Crawley Town
 * Conference Premier: 2010–11

Crawley Town
 * Football League Two third-place promotion: 2011–12

Mansfield Town
 * Conference Premier: 2012–13