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Intriguingly, Dempsey left the Pars in mysterious circumstances at the end of February. The 24-year-old had been a first-team regular until the aforementioned ankle injury, and Dunfermline gaffer Davie Hay refused to make any comment on the reasons for his departure. Dempsey told bbc.co.uk on his departure: "I've mutually agreed with Dunfermline to cancel my contract. I don't want to go into the reasons behind it. I'm going back home to clear my head a bit and work out what I do now. I'm not sure how long it'll be until I get a club as it will be four weeks until my ankle is okay." The final part of that statement will be cleared up this week it seems.
Dempsey, an Ireland U-21 international, made 21 appearances for Dunfermline this season, the last being a 2-0 defeat by Inverness Caledonian Thistle at the end of January. His contract was due to end in the summer, but Dempsey had insisted that he had nothing lined up for next season when he left the Pars.
A busy attacking midfielder who is not afraid to get stuck in, Gary could be the ideal replacement for Tosher since he left for Gretna in January. He started 62 games for Dunfermline in two-and-a-half years there, scoring 9 goals for the club including four high profile strikes against both sides of the Old Firm. He also scored for the Pars in their brief European adventure this season, and was generally held in high regard by East End Park regulars. When signed, he will join good friend Richie Byrne and fellow ex-Pars Jamie Langfield and the management team of Calderwood and Nicholl at Pittodrie, with the possibility of more to come in the shape of Barry Nicholson and Darren Young.
Calderwood told the Press and Journal today: "Gary was here for his medical on Thursday and we are just waiting for the results, which should be available at the end of the week. Until they come back there is not too much more I can say about it. I don't want to make a mug of myself until everything is all right and he has signed." Bit late for that Jimmy...