"Delighted to be back!"

Wednesday, 1st February 2012

Gary Dempsey Interview by: David Pheasey

Waterford’s off-season signing Gary Dempsey says he is delighted to be back at the club for a second spell. The mid-fielder who spent last year at Bray Wanders says last season was a massive disappointment for Waterford but insists that this is a big year for the Blues. Dempsey, who spent time across the water at Scottish Premier League teams, says that he can once more be a fan favourite like he was in 2001-02 when he was voted: "Supporters’ Player of the Year".

The big centre mid player says that even though club Vice Chairman Sam White has said: "Gary will be a great addition to Paul O’Brien’s squad" that the only pressures he will face are those he puts on himself to perform.

When asked about the reasons for his transfer from Bray Wanders, a mid table premier division side, to Waterford United, a mid table 1st division side, he said: "I fell I have done all I could at Bray. I feel that they can’t go higher, with no disrespect to the club". He also admits to having a soft spot for Waterford after spending so many years at the club.

Good news for all Waterford fans, Gary feels very strongly about Waterford gaining promotion. He feels after talking to Waterford fan favourite of recent years, David Breen, that a young team such as Waterford need "someone like me". He also fears no one in the league and feels even with the money Limerick have spent that Waterford can still finish top. "We still need a centre half, an experienced keeper and maybe a striker", Gary also said that he has spoken to a few Irish keepers across the channel to try entice them to come play for Waterford.

In recent weeks the squad have started back pre season training. Gary admits that after the long off-season the training has been tough but he can feel the benefits and is looking forward to the team’s first game on the 4th of February. He also said that senior players last season were very quiet and this will change this season with him in centre field. "I have no problem giving lads a kick up the backside if they aren’t putting in the effort. It’s important to nail bad habits and sloppiness in training otherwise it leads to bad habits and sloppiness on the pitch". Gary sees that there will be three main leaders on the pitch; himself in the centre of the pitch, and David Breen (Breener) and John Frost (Frosty) in the back four. He feels the team need someone in the middle to "steady the ship when things get rocky".

Unfortunately Gary also said that there is no career in League of Ireland football: "Players have to have a full time job as well as have time for football".

When talking about his academy he said he doesn’t understand why counties like Waterford, Wexford and Kilkenny aren’t producing players like Dublin and other counties across the country: "This academy gives young players the chance of top class coaching".