Jake Kempton's story of Wolves dreams, injury nightmares and a move to Bali

Imagine heading into your first season as a professional footballer, having expended all the blood, sweat and tears which built up to that moment, and picking up an injury after which you barely kick a ball for two years.

Imagine then rebuilding your career at a lower-league club, being promised a deal when a squad place becomes available in January, only for the manager to stepdown days before the transfer window opens and his replacement decide to move in a different direction. 

Imagine too, building up a hugely successful company involved in property development, taking the trip of a lifetime to Bali, and then discovering that, actually, you might not need to come home. This is the story of former young Wolves striker and lifelong Crystal Palace fan Jake Kempton.  

For whom the comeback has certainly been greater than the setback.  The award-winning Kempton Homes has built up an excellent reputation in the world of residential property development in the Southeast of England. Of the five-strong staff, Kempton is owner, CEO and majority shareholder, his brother Sam is part owner and site manager, and mum Christine is Sales & Marketing Manager. 

And now, much of his work can be carried out remotely, as one of many ‘digital nomads’, putting in just as much hard graft and dedication as anyone else.  

Just from a very different location. “I am talking to you now from outside an internet café, and, if I look through the window, I can see loads of people sitting at their laptops, working,” says Kempton. 

“Because of the way the business works, and what I do, while there are some things I have to come back for, I can do so much of it virtually by having meetings and working online. 

“We started the business eight years ago in February, and it was about a year-and-a-half ago when I first came out here. 

“I’d worked super hard for so long to get it all going and I wasn’t happy with my social life and how the work/life balance was working out. 

“So, I decided to explore! 

“I came out to Bali with a couple of mates from back home, I have been here ever since, and have a good core group of friends and met my girlfriend out here. 

“It’s such a healthy lifestyle as well, and we’re all into keeping fit and the gyms are like high-level spas. 

“I’m a bit addicted to the game of padel, which I play most days, and there’s just a great outdoor lifestyle.

 “I love the beach walks, heading out there on a morning with a coffee, it’s a really infectious environment out here and a really positive and interesting one. 

“There is also still a very lively party scene in Bali - but I think I am past that now!” 

There was an added element to the decision to spread his wings as Kempton is happy to admit he underwent therapy a couple of years ago to finally shrug off the legacy of an identity crisis which followed the end of his time as an aspiring footballer. 

And that is perfectly understandable, given his efforts to become a professional suffered the hardest of hard luck stories for several different reasons. It was a story which began, like so many, with an ambition to pursue a career in the game from an early age. 

He went on to join Fulham at the age of 15, having also trialled at Chelsea, but, when released a year later having played at Under-15 and Under-16 levels, had plenty of clubs queuing up to offer him a scholarship. 

“One of those was Crystal Palace, my club, which under normal circumstances would have been a dream come true,” Kempton admits. 

“But they were in administration and it didn’t feel like the right thing to do. 

“I remember going down to Southampton who were really keen to sign me, but AlanTravis (Head of Academy Recruitment) asked me to come up to Wolves, and thatwas it. 

“I was doing the rounds of all these clubs with my Dad, and Wolves just blew usaway with the culture and the atmosphere when we visited – I can still remember the stadium tour – and I was immediately made to feel part of the team.” 

And that was how it continued to feel for Kempton after choosing Wolves, as he embarked on his full-time Academy scholarship. Living away from home held no fears for the South London native.