Former Carlisle United star Kyle Dempsey was the victim of an unprovoked assault in home town Maryport, his club Bolton Wanderers have said.

The League One club say the incident took place in the west Cumbrian town hours after Dempsey had faced Carlisle in a pre-season friendly at Brunton Park.

Dempsey, 26, and his father Mike needed medical treatment after the attack on Saturday night, Bolton said.

Bolton today issued a statement.

They 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 had played in Bolton's 3-1 defeat at Carlisle earlier in the day.

It had been his first game back at Brunton Park since leaving the club back in 2015.

The west Cumbrian player had come through the ranks at Carlisle from the age of eight and was a teenage first-team star for the Blues.

He went on to play for Huddersfield Town, Fleetwood Town and Gillingham, and joined Bolton in January.