ALEX Kempster is desperate to meet manager Martin Gray’s challenge of proving he is worth a new deal at York City.

The former Whitley Bay forward is only under contract until the end of the season following his move from the Northern League outfit.

But Kemspter, who netted on his debut as a substitute at Curzon Ashton and was then given his first City start at the weekend against Alfreton, is in no mood to pass up his first opportunity in professional football at the age of 22.

“The gaffer has told me that he wants me to show him that I deserve another contract and all I have ever wanted to do is play football,” the former Port Vale trialist revealed. “The gaffer has given me that opportunity, so I’ve got to work the hardest I ever have done to get the chance to do that beyond the end of this season.”

Having played more than 200 games in the robust arena of Northern League football for Whitley, Kempster certainly isn’t fazed by the physical challenge presented by playing four tiers higher, pointing out: “Alfreton tried to rough me up, but it’s pretty tough in the Northern League too, because you’re playing against grown men and some brutal centre halves who want to put you in row Z.”

There are differences, though, between playing in both divisions – namely handling the bigger occasion and finding the stamina required to switch from playing in semi-professional football to the full-time game.

“I’ve just got to get used to the pitches and tempo really,” Kempster explained. “The intensity is different because, on Saturday, we were playing in front of a few thousand people, whereas I’m used to playing in front of a few hundred.

“That’s a big difference, but I enjoyed making my full debut in front of the home fans when there was such a great turnout. I’ve also been set a programme by the physio Ian Gallagher and the gaffer, which I’m working towards, so I don’t burn out straight away and am fully fit for Saturdays.

“I’m not used to training every day – I’ve normally trained on Tuesday and Thursday nights and then played on Saturdays. I was also working as a PE Teacher in the morning and a barman in the afternoon, so it was tough juggling everything, but I love football, so I had to do it.

“Now, though, I can just focus everything on something that I love doing.”

Kempster was selected in place of 25-goal top scorer Jon Parkin against Alfreton, as the latter begun a three-match suspension.

Whether speaking figuratively or literally, Parkin’s are big boots to fill, but the former Whitley captain is determined to make his mark during the ex-Championship campaigner’s absence.

“Jon’s goals have got us where we are and you never want him out of the side, but the gaffer has given me my chance to shine,” Kempster said. “I went on trial at Port Vale and scored, but they didn’t want to take a chance on me and nobody else has done.

“But the gaffer has put his faith in me straight away and I want to repay him. Hopefully, I can do that over these three games and during the rest of the season.”

Rather than being considered a rival for Parkin’s starting place, though, City chief Gray has suggested the pair could go on to forge a good understanding together in attack and Kempster is in agreement, adding: “When you compare his game to mine, he’s more about winning the ball in the air and I’m more about playing across the back four and over the top so, hopefully, me and Jon can strike up a great partnership together.

“I can play anywhere across the front three and as a number 10, where I’ve played most of this season for Whitley Bay and scored 13 goals. But I’ve also played up front lots of times and know I can score in that position given the opportunity, because I like playing on the last man and I’ve got the pace to get away from defenders.”

Summarising the frustrating draw with Alfreton, meanwhile, Kemspter lamented: “It was a game of few chances, but we really shouldn’t have conceded and should have taken a few more of the opportunities we had.”

Elsewhere, City's reserve match with Doncaster, scheduled for tomorrow, has been rearranged for next Tuesday (March 6), due to the Wigginton Road training pitch being deemed unplayable.