Carlisle United Football Club

Midfielder Dempsey and left-sided player Brough, both Cumbrian born, came through the youth ranks at the club and have been offered deals which will keep them at Brunton Park until the summer of 2015.*

Patrick Brough has made a total of four appearances for the club this season, making his debut in the Capital One Cup penalty win over Blackburn Rovers in August, and Kyle Dempsey has figured twice, bagging his first outing for the first team in the 3-0 home win over MK Dons in January this year.

“We’re obviously delighted for the lads who have come through but the flip side is that it’s horrible for the two lads who will move on,” manager Graham Kavanagh said.

“Lewis Brass and Jake Chisholm have worked extremely hard over the last two years and they were both desperate to become professional players. I’ve told them this decision is only our opinion and that we feel there is more for them to learn. There is no reason why they can’t go on to do that elsewhere.”

“We sat them down and spoke to them last week and it just isn’t a nice thing to have to do,” he admitted. “They’re genuinely good lads and you see first hand how they react, and it’s clear how much it means to them. It’s easily one of the hardest parts of the job and I must stress this is only our opinion. Young lads develop at different rates and we wish them every success as they go on to pursue other avenues from here.”

“The other side of this part of the job is the exhilaration and complete euphoria you see when you tell someone they’ve made it,” he added. “With Kyle and Patrick we have got ourselves two very different characters. Having said that, they are similar in terms of the drive and determination they bring to the job. 

“Their approach to the way they get things done is completely different. Kyle is very much in your face, and he constantly wants to show you how capable he is. He seems to set new targets for himself every day and he goes all out to hit them. He’s very dynamic, direct and off the cuff and he has a real eye for a pass and for getting a goal. He does some amazing things and he wants to improve every time he goes out on a pitch. His character is to please people as much as possible and he won’t hide away from any situation.”

“Patrick, on the other hand, is very calm and calculated in the way he goes about things. He’s very much like a sponge in the way he absorbs the information you give him and he really enjoys learning new things about the game. He’s a big lad and I keep talking to him about the pace he has, because he is one of those players who could run as fast as he wanted to. He knows there are aspects of his game which need to improve, but he has a really good foundation with the work he has already put in to getting to where he is now.”

“I’ve told both lads that this is the start of the rest of what I hope are very long careers. It’s up to them where they go with it from here. If they stay focused, grounded and as humble as they have been, and if they keep the level of desire to succeed they both have, then there is no doubt they will be real assets for us. I’m looking forward to working with both of them.”

And on the fact that both players are locally born and have worked their way through the academy from a very young age, he said: “First and foremost I think that’s fantastic for the club and for the region. 

“As we’ve experienced this season at first team level, with the number of players we’ve used, you need to have an available pool of talent. There are a number of reasons for the high turnover we’ve had so, as a manager, you do want and need the type of player who has a real affinity to the club. 

“These two fit right into that category. They know the culture of this area and they understand what the fans want. That is hugely important. They know people in and around the club and they will naturally feel a strong bond and desire to do things properly. All credit to them because they are representing Cumbria and Carlisle and I know for a fact they are very proud to do so. When a player is with what they feel is their club they will give you just a little bit more, and that bodes well for what I hope will be a very good 12 months ahead.”

“This is only the start for them and, like I say, I’m looking forward to seeing them push on,” he continued. “A big part of what we want to do with this club, going forward from here, is for us to find and develop local talent like this. If we do that, and we get players who feature in our first team regularly, then we’ll have done our jobs. If we find players and sell them, we will also have done our jobs. Building a solid future for this club will start with bringing young players through year on year and we’re delighted that two Cumbrian youngsters have done it for us this time round.”

“I think I’ve shown in my time as manager here that I’m prepared to give youth a chance,” he added. “If the player has the right ability and mindset they will get opportunities. To be completely honest, I’ve had a couple of issues with Kyle this past few months but, if that happens, it comes down to the reaction you get from the individual. He has been fantastic in the way he has listened, knuckled down and applied himself to getting every aspect of his development right. Those lads who learn quickly that this is a serious business, and that every day and everything we do matters, are the ones who have a real chance. Kyle and Patrick have demonstrated that understanding to us over and over again.”

As to what they can expect next season, he said: “We have an obligation as a football club to get these lads games and to give them development time. We have to make sure they can train and develop confidently in a first team environment and, if they step up as we expect, we have to give them their chance. If that happens, and they take the opportunity with both hands, then they will stay in the team as far as I am concerned.”

* Both deals remain subject to the completion of all signatures and paperwork.