Bolton issue statement after player and dad victims of 'unprovoked assault' on night out

Bolton Wanderers say they are supporting their player Kyle Dempsey after he and his father were attacked on a night out.

The 26-year-old was on an evening out in his hometown of Maryport, Cumbria over the weekend. The incident occurred just hours after Dempsey had turned out for Bolton in their pre-season friendly clash against his old club Carlisle United at Brunton Park.

The League One club say that Dempsey and his father Michael, who is a former rugby league player, both required hospital treatment following what they say was an "unprovoked attack".

A Bolton statement on their website said: "Bolton Wanderers Football Club is aware of an incident which took place at the weekend.

"Kyle Dempsey and his father were enjoying an evening out with their family in their home town of Maryport following Saturday’s pre-season friendly against his former club Carlisle United. During the course of the evening, they were both subjected to an unprovoked assault which left them requiring medical treatment.

"The Dempsey family will receive the full support of Chairman Sharon Brittan, manager Ian Evatt and the Club while the incident is being investigated by Cumbria Police. No further comment will be made at this time."

Dempsey arrived at Wanderers back in January having previously played for Gillingham. As well as the Gills and Carlisle, where he started his career, he also has enjoyed spells at Huddersfield and Fleetwood. The midfielder made 11 league appearances for Ian Evatt's troops after his mid-season move, helping them secure a highly respectable ninth-placed finish in the third tier after promotion the previous season.

Dempsey had played in Bolton's 3-1 defeat at Carlisle earlier in the day. That was his first game back