The 26-year-old defender agreed a two-year deal with the Borough Briggs outfit to mark his return after a successful promotion-winning term in Division 2 with Ayr United.

Surprisingly released by the Somerset Park club, Dempsie decided to come back to Elgin to spearhead their challenge in the 2009-10 campaign.

And even though City finished bottom of the league last season, the former Celtic and Hibs stopper feels they can transform their fortunes over the coming months and go for a top four slot.

"With the players he (manager Ross Jack) is looking to bring in, there's no reason why we shouldn't get in the play-offs at least. If we don't get in them, I think I'll see it as a wee bit of a failure," he admitted.

The Glasgow banker said he thoroughly enjoyed his previous four-and-a-half year spell at Elgin, latterly as club captain, but left a year ago to try his luck with Ayr at a higher level.

And despite playing in the majority of matches for the 'Honest Men' as they finished second and won through the play-offs into Division 1, the club's hesitation to offer him a fresh deal paved the way for a return to Moray.

"Everyone at Ayr said I would get a new deal, as I'd played almost every game and got plenty man of the match awards as well. But when I went in to see the gaffer (Brian Reid) he didn't offer me one there and then, but asked me to wait.

"It was a wee bit strange and he wanted me to tag on another couple of weeks and see what happened, but I wasn't interested in waiting. I felt I'd done more than enough to get a new contract."

A number of league clubs jostled for his signature, but happy memories of his time at Borough Briggs, a close friendship with current City defender Paul Kaczan and a lucrative deal on the table persuaded 'Demo' to come back north.

"I've got no regrets about not going to the First Division really. There were a couple of wee sniffs to go back to Division 2 and they are still phoning me, but I spoke to Elgin quite early on and they were great."

Dempsie gets married to fiance Lori in Glasgow on Sunday and she is expecting his second child, so he admits security for his family was high on the agenda when it came to making his next move.

"I told Elgin if they made me a good offer which was right not just for me but my family, then my mind was made up. But when you play at this level in Scotland you're not going to be a millionaire – so enjoyment is one of the main things. Elgin is a great wee club with great people and I've got nothing but good feelings about the place, and that was the attraction about coming back."

And he dismissed concerns over an ankle ligament injury which forced him to miss last month's play-off final for Ayr, insisting he will be ready for the new season.

"I got injured in the first 10 minutes of the semis but played on and ended up doing my ligaments and putting myself out of the final.

"But I've had a break and I'm back running so I'll be fine, absolutely no problem."

He says he will even be keeping himself fit during the 10 days he will spend in Tenerife on his honeymoon.

Manager Jack said he was thrilled to secure the signature of a player who he feels will make a big difference to his squad.

"I'm absolutely delighted. He's a good leader who will not allow for slackers in the team and is exactly the type of player we need.

"It shows the commitment from the chairman and the directors here that we've been able to bring him here, and will do our chances of attracting other quality players to Elgin the world of good."

Jack said he also hopes to have Kaczan, David Niven and Mark Nicolson on similar two year deals as he aims to build a squad he can keep together for the longer term future of the club.

Attempts top bring three more players in over the next few days were "ongoing", with former player Craig Frizzel and ex-Ross County and Peterhead striker Craig Gunn rumoured to be two of his targets.

Another former Ross County player Neil McDonald is also believed to be training with City following a recent spell in the Highland League with Nairn County.

c.christie@northern-scot.co.uk

Printer friendly version

Email this article to a friend

Bookmark this

---