Ishmel Abendigo Demontagnac (born 15 June 1988) is an English former footballer who played as a winger.
Demontagnac previously played for Walsall. He has played in all four divisions of professional football in England, in the Football League and Premier League.
He has also represented England at Under-18 and Under-19 levels.
Club career
Walsall
Born in London, Demontagnac started his playing career with Charlton Athletic, before moving to join the Walsall youth system. Demontagnac created an instant impression on the Walsall coaching staff with his fast pace and footballing talents, especially in getting past defenders.
The 17-year-old Demontagnac marked his October 2005 first team debut with an assist and a goal in a 3–2 defeat away to Port Vale. He went on to make 27 appearances that season, scoring twice, and picked up the club's Young Player of the Year award, but was twice sent off for violent conduct.
Walsall manager Paul Merson was replaced by Richard Money in 2006–07. Money selected Demontagnac for the starting line-up just once in the season, choosing to use him as an impact player from the substitutes' bench. Demontagnac signed a two-year contract extension at the beginning of the 2007–08 season, but again spent most of the season as a substitute. His goal against Brighton and Hove Albion in November 2007 was voted the club's Goal of the Season.
Following a defeat against Crewe Alexandra, new manager Jimmy Mullen recalled him to the first team and handed him a start for The Saddlers against Southend United. Playing up front alongside Jabo Ibehre, Demontagnac scored his first career hat-trick.
In the first round FA Cup tie against Scunthorpe United, he was sent off for an off-the-ball incident only eight minutes after coming on as a substitute. The following day he was arrested on suspicion of a breach of the peace, and on 13 November 2008 his contract with Walsall was terminated. A club statement said that the player's dismissal was the result of "a series of serious breaches of club discipline". Mullen expressed regret over the situation, saying that Demontagnac had the talent to be a Premier League player but his poor conduct held him back.
Following Demontagnac's dismissal by Walsall, Crystal Palace took him on trial. The trial was unsuccessful, but Palace manager Neil Warnock allowed Demontagnac to train and play with the reserve team in the meanwhile.
In January 2009 he went full circle, playing for Charlton Athletic's reserve team on a trial basis. His trial at Charlton was unsuccessful, and later joined Leeds United and then Southend United on trial in March 2009.
Blackpool
In July 2009 he had a trial with Championship side Blackpool. On 6 August, the Blackpool Gazette reported that Blackpool manager Ian Holloway was likely to offer Demontagnac a month-to-month contract with the Seasiders. The following day he signed a one-year contract with the option for a further 12 months. On 8 August, he was an unused substitute as the Seasiders started the 2009–10 season with a 1–1 draw with Queens Park Rangers at Loftus Road. He made his debut for the Seasiders as a 60th-minute substitute in a 2–1 win over Crewe Alexandra in the first round of the 2009–10 League Cup on 11 August 2009. Demontagnac created Blackpool's winning goal when his pass was fired home by Daniel Nardiello. Four days later he made his league debut, and his 100th career appearance, as a second-half substitute in a 1–1 draw with Cardiff City at Bloomfield Road.
Demontagnac scored on his full debut on 26 August, in the Seasiders' 4–1 victory over Premier League side Wigan Athletic in the second round of the 2009–10 League Cup. However, he suffered a hamstring strain early in the second half and the following day it was revealed that he might be out of action for a few weeks. He made his return to action in a 4–3 Central League Division One West reserve team win over Preston North End on 14 October. However, he was sent off for violent conduct in the second half and so received a three match first team ban which, as it was in a reserve team fixture, began 14 days later. Three days later he made his return to first team action as an 86th-minute substitute in the 2–0 win over Plymouth Argyle at Bloomfield Road. His first league start came in a 3–0 win at home to Sheffield United on 20 October.