The on-loan MK Dons attacker has netted 12 times this term and is on course to fulfil his ambition of becoming "one of League Two's standout performers" in 2023-24.
Kemp, 24, came through the ranks at Chelsea and West Ham with Declan Rice, right, who remains one of his best friends with the pair born just three days apart.
He also represented England at Under-19 and Under-20 level but, while Rice has become a mainstay in the senior Three Lions side, Kemp has had to assert his quality in the EFL's bottom tier having left the Hammers in 2021.
His story will resonate with Austin who, at 15, was released by Reading for being too small before dropping much further down the football pyramid, turning out in the Hellenic League and Wessex League for the likes of Kintbury Rangers, Hungerford and Poole.
Swindon gave him his first chance in the pro game five years after his Reading rejection, but it wasn't until he was 25 when he got his Premier League break with QPR and subsequently plundered 18 goals in his first campaign at that level.
This story is from the December 03, 2023 edition of The Football League Paper.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the December 03, 2023 edition of The Football League Paper.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
Mousinho revels in a happy return
IT proved a joyous return to Oxford for Portsmouth boss John Mousinho as he celebrated his first win back at his old club.
DUFF LAUDS COURAGE OF HIS TERRIERS
HUDDERSFIELD boss Michael Duff praised his team for their response to the fans’ half-time frustrations after they came from behind to win at Yorkshire rivals Barnsley.
HORNETS STING IS PAIN FOR CARRICK
TOM Cleverley felt a nervous home crowd played a part in helping his Watford side end a run of five Championship games without a win with a hard-fought victory that piled pressure on Boro boss Michael Carrick.
SALECH MAKES A POINT WITH HIS LATE LEVELLER
CARDIFF boss Omer Riza says Yousef Saleh is “knocking down the door” for a first Championship start after the striker maintained his fine scoring form with a late equaliser against Bristol City.
Sargent takes Tigers by the tail again
JOSH Sargent once again proved a thorn in Hull City’s side, as his header earned play-off-chasing Norwich City a valuable point against the struggling Tigers.
AFTER INJURY KO, ACE STEVENS JUST WANTS A DECENT SHOT AT LGE ONE
MATTY Stevens has all the motivation he needs to fire AFC Wimbledon to promotion this season – he wants a proper crack at League One.
Talented technician who stars in the pocket
LUKE Cundle spent his formative years at Wolves watching Joao Moutinho and Ruben Neves strut their stuff.
PREM DREAM EXCITES JOHN
WHILE he enters a relegation battle, John Eustace has set his long-term sights on taking Derby County back to the Premier League.
IT'S JOY FOR JOSH, SAM AND GEORGE
JOSH Windass, Sam Smith and George Abbott have been rewarded for their stunning strikes with the Sky Bet EFL Goal of the Month awards for January.
ADAMS HAILS HIS BATTLING SHRIMPS SIDE
DEREK Adams was full of praise for his Morecambe side after their vital derby-day victory over Accrington Stanley.
