Date / Year of birth: 11th November 1970

Position: Midfielder

Season of first appearance: 2000/01

Season of last appearance: 2010/11

Also played for: Southwark Faweh, Walsall (94+33,2), Chester City (9+2,0), Shrewsbury Town (9,0), Stevenage Borough and Dover Athletic

5' 7" tall tough-tackling midfielder who was born in Manchester but returned to Sierra Leone soon after his birth. When John was 12 his family moved to Monterrey in Mexico and he spent a season with Club Tigres de la Universidad Autonoma de Nuevo Leon before moving with his family to London.

John played the first senior football of his career with Spartan League club Southwark Faweh before being signed by Walsall in September 1993. He'd already been capped by Sierra Leone by then and John eventually won between 17 and 20 full international caps - the actual number is a matter of some dispute.

He made his debut for Walsall as a substitute in a 1-0 win at Chesterfield in Division 3 on 18.9.93 and by the end of the 1993/94 campaign John had made a total of 26 first team appearances, scoring once. He was known as 'The Assassin' by his Walsall team-mates. The Saddlers finished second in Division 3 (later known as League Two) during 1994/95 to gain promotion and John made 11 senior appearances that season. He played more regularly during 1995/96 and 1996/97 but injuries restricted his outings during the following campaign.

In August 1998 John suffered a cruciate knee ligament injury in a game against Northampton and he missed the rest of the 1998/99 season as Walsall finished second in Division 2 (later League One) to gain promotion once more. John played his first senior game for over a year when he came on as a substitute in a 3-2 defeat at Sunderland in the League Cup on 14.9.99 and on 8.10.99 he came off the bench in a 1-0 home win over Birmingham. It turned out to be his only appearance in Division 1 (Championship) and after a spell out of the first team John signed for Chester in January 2000.

He made his debut for Chester in a home game against Darlington on 8.1.00 and John was sent off after only 44 minutes having picked up two yellow cards. He went on to make 11 appearances (two as sub) before the end of 1999/00 as Chester were relegated from the Football League.

In October 2000 John moved on to Division 3 Shrewsbury where he made nine senior appearances and at the start of February 2001 he linked up with Conference outfit Stevenage. John's stay there was very brief and he didn't feature in the first team before joining Margate on a non-contract basis later in the month.

He made his first appearance in a 3-0 win at Ilkeston on 20.2.01 and scored one of the Margate goals to cap what the Isle of Thanet Gazette said was a "great debut" in midfield. The paper described John as being "classy" and he wore what would become his trademark number seven shirt. Manager Chris Kinnear said "we'll see how it goes because he wants to get back into the league, but he's a top quality player" and Birmingham sports journalist Paul Marston said John was "a tough-tackling player who's scared of nothing - a real fans' favourite". He made his home debut on 24.2.01 as Margate beat Tamworth 1-0 at Hartsdown Park and the Thanet Times said that John "worked hard all afternoon, winning plenty of possession with his tough tackling". He also picked up a booking and the paper noted that he was a "fiery character". John scored the only goal of the game in his next appearance as Margate beat visitors Halesowen 1-0 on 3.3.01 and the Thanet Times said he "smashed the ball" into the net "with impressive venom". Soon afterwards John signed a contract till the end of the 2000/01 campaign and Chris Kinnear said "it's good for the club because John's made quite an impression, and it's always good to add to the squad".

On 17.3.01 John scored a sensational solo goal in a 1-1 home draw with Salisbury. He picked the ball up on the left-hand side of the penalty area and then weaved past four defenders before coolly sliding the ball home. The Thanet Times called it a "stunning individual effort" and Chris Kinnear told the paper "the goal was as good as you will see at any level". Three days later - on 20.3.01 - Margate travelled to Moor Green and ran out 4-0 winners but John was sent off after being booked and then immediately receiving a second yellow card for disputing the original caution with a linesman. It was John's sixth outing for the club. In Margate's next match at home to Bath on 24.3.01 the Thanet Times said he was "tactfully replaced" at half-time having reacted angrily after been booked in the first half. Chris Kinnear said "we were forced into the sub because we didn't want John to get another red card. He's always desperate to win, but he can get caught out by his own enthusiasm". The Thanet Times said John "got involved well" in a 0-0 draw at Newport on 31.3.01 and after serving a two match ban he returned to the side for a 2-2 draw at Folkestone on 14.4.01. The Isle of Thanet Gazette said he was an "important figure in the Margate midfield" during a 3-0 win over Crawley at Hartsdown Park on 16.4.01 but that turned out to be John's last appearance of the season and he missed the last six matches as Margate clinched the Southern League Premier Division title and promotion to the Conference. He'd scored three times in ten appearances.

John's absence was initially due to him being called up for Sierra Leone's World Cup Qualifier against Nigeria in Freetown on 21.4.01. He played the full 90 minutes and picked up a booking as Sierra Leone won 1-0 in a tie watched by 35,000. FIFA's rules meant that players were supposed to be released back to their clubs two days after matches but John was kept on for the next World Cup Qualifier against Ghana in Freetown on 5.5.01 - the same day as Margate's last match at Burton. Sierra Leone drew 1-1 in front of another crowd of 35,000 and John was booked again. The situation prompted a memorable quote from Chris Kinnear as he told the Isle of Thanet Gazette "the World Cup is important but so is getting into the Conference".

The Non League Paper also ran a story about John's absence and Kinnear explained "we tried to arrange a plane to get him back, but all I've heard since the Nigeria game was a phone call saying he couldn't get back. He didn't say why and then we got cut off and we've heard nothing more. It's a shame because he's done well for us and providing he comes back he will be with us next season. We have an option on him and we'll be taking that up. I suppose after they beat Nigeria he wanted to stay on for the game against Ghana on Saturday and if you've got a chance of playing in the World Cup Finals, I suppose you can't blame him. Hand on heart, if you had the chance of playing in Korea and Japan next year or at Burton on Saturday, I know which I'd pick. I hope the lad does make it. It will be a real feather in the cap for us if he does". Unfortunately for John Sierra Leone ended up failing to qualify for the 2002 World Cup Finals.

In June 2001 Chris Kinnear told The Non-League Paper "we will be taking up our option for Keister next season" and John played in the first match of the 2001/02 campaign on 11.8.01 as Margate beat Worcester on penalties after a 1-1 draw in the Southern League Championship Match at Hartsdown Park. On 18.8.01 he played as Margate won 1-0 at Boston in the club's first-ever Conference game and John was a fixture in the number seven shirt during the first few weeks of the season, often playing in an attacking midfield role as support to lone striker Leon Braithwaite. John scored Margate's first home goal in the Conference in a 1-1 draw with Dagenham & Redbridge on 21.8.01 and the Isle of Thanet Gazette said his performance was "brilliant". He was on target again in a 2-2 draw with Hereford at Hartsdown Park on 1.9.01 and the Thanet Times praised John for a "busy display" and a "superb goal" after he twisted past a defender before firing home. Chris Kinnear told the paper "John has got lots of tricks and is a dangerous player around the box." His run of home goals continued with a clever chip that the Thanet Times called a "stunning strike" in a 3-1 win over Telford on 8.9.01 but on 11.9.01 John was sent off during a 1-0 win at Woking after what the Nationwide football website said was "a dreadful foul" on Nick Roddis who signed for Margate later in the season.

John carried his excellent form into a match against Stevenage at Hartsdown Park on 18.9.01 and scored a 71st minute goal to make it 2-1 to Margate - his fourth strike in ten Conference starts. The win briefly sent Margate to the top of the league but just a minute after scoring John had to go off with a knee injury. The Isle of Thanet Gazette said he'd been "Margate's outstanding performer". The injury turned out to be serious. Cruciate ligament damage was diagnosed and it was the second time John had suffered the problem having inured his other knee during his Walsall days. He was expected to be out for the rest of the 2001/02 campaign but by February 2002 John was running again. In early March 2002 the Thanet Times called him "the diminutive hero of Blues fans" and Chris Kinnear told the paper "John's done very well. He's worked very hard and he's quite strong now. He could be back this season."

Later in March the Daily Telegraph interviewed John and the subject of the confusion over the number of caps he'd gained for Sierra Leone was mentioned. At that time John was generally acknowledged as having made three international appearances but he told his interviewer the actual number was 12.

By the end of March 2002 John was closing in on match fitness and on 1.4.02 he was an unused substitute as Margate drew 1-1 with visitors Forest Green. The Isle of Thanet Gazette said "it was a huge relief to see the name of John Keister among the Margate substitutes. His presence in midfield has been missed, and there is a feeling among Hartsdown fans that with Keister back after his cruciate ligament injury the Blues could be a real force next season". On 23.4.02 he finally returned to action when he came on as a sub as Margate thrashed Ashford 5-0 in a Kent Senior Cup tie at Hartsdown Park. It'd been over seven months since John's last appearance and the Gazette praised him for a "visionary pass" that helped to set up the fourth goal. John told the paper "It just feels good to be getting back, and to be out there playing. I've just got to put in the work and get ready for pre-season, which has always been my target. I've done a lot of training and I feel strong."

By that time Margate only had one Conference game left - against already relegated Stalybridge at Hartsdown Park on 27.4.02 - and with 20 minutes remaining John was introduced as a substitute. The Isle of Thanet Gazette said he "got a hero's welcome". The paper added that John "looked very sharp" and six minutes after taking to the field he was booked for a foul. John soon made amends by scoring twice before the final whistle as Margate ran out 8-0 winners. He then started the last match of the campaign on 6.5.02 but it was a game to forget as Margate were hammered 5-0 by Gravesend & Northfleet in the Kent Senior Cup Final at Hartsdown Park. John finished his injury-blighted season having scored six goals in 14 appearances (two as sub).

At the start of the 2002/03 campaign he often played as a striker alongside Leon Braithwaite and the Isle of Thanet Gazette said John was "so influential" as Margate drew 2-2 with Barnet at the club's temporary home in Dover on 3.9.02. He missed the next Conference game against Stevenage on 7.9.02 due to being on international duty in Equatorial Guinea but John then played regularly for the next few weeks. After a 1-0 defeat against his old club Chester at Dover on 5.10.02 he missed another two matches due to an international call-up but after returning for a 1-0 win over visitors Southport on 19.10.02 John enjoyed a good run in the side, generally in midfield.

On 26.10.02 he scored his first goal of the season as Margate won 2-1 at Gravesend & Northfleet in the 4th Qualifying Round of the FA Cup and the Thanet Times said John's effort was a "collectors' item of a headed goal". The paper also praised his "creative genius".

John's next goal came from the penalty spot in a 1-1 draw with Telford at Dover on 9.11.02 and on 16.11.02 he scored the equaliser as Margate drew 1-1 at Leyton Orient in the FA Cup 1st Round Proper. It was a stunning curling effort from 25 yards and The Sun said it was a "superb leveller" whilst the Thanet Times described it as "classic strike". In the replay at Dover on 26.11.02 John's penalty secured a 1-0 win and on 7.12.02 he played as Margate lost 3-0 to Cardiff in the 2nd Round, also at Dover.

After the Cardiff tie John was interviewed by the Observer and told the paper "In the last three years I have suffered two cruciate ligament injuries. One to each knee. I got the first when I was at Walsall and the other in 2000 with Margate. I know what it's like to be down there in the dumps and I'm just happy to be playing today and still be involved with my national team, the Leone Stars. When I come back they ask me how many people we played in front of and when I say 40 or 50 thousand they almost look shocked."

Towards the end of 2002 John had another spell as a striker and he scored in a 2-2 draw with Kettering on 28.12.02 at Hartsdown Park as Margate enjoyed a short-lived return home. He was on target again with a 20 yard curling free-kick in a 4-2 win over Gravesend & Northfleet at Hartsdown on 1.1.03 and the Isle of Thanet Gazette said John was "excellent on his return to midfield after a long spell in attack". He continued to be a key part of Margate's engine room for the next few weeks but after a 2-0 defeat against Hereford at Hartsdown on 11.2.03 John was banned for two matches after picking up ten bookings. When he was available for selection again he initially found it hard to break back into the side and at the start of March 2003 John made three consecutive substitute appearances.

He made his first start for over a month in a 0-0 draw with Burton at Dover on 15.3.03 and on 22.3.03 John was sent off after collecting two yellow cards in a 2-1 defeat against Yeovil at Dover. He was booked in the 45th minute and then again in the 49th minute but the general consensus was that John was extremely unlucky to be dismissed. His second caution was for what appeared to be a fair tackle and Chris Kinnear told the KM Extra newspaper "John was stunned like we all were. I don't think there was anyone in the ground who thought it was a foul." He was banned for two matches before returning for a 3-0 win at Erith & Belvedere in the Kent Senior Cup semi-final on 1.4.03 and the Isle of Thanet Gazette said John "controlled the midfield brilliantly with his simple but effective passing". He missed Margate's next game due to another international call but on 12.4.03 John scored after coming on as a substitute in a 2-0 win at Southport. He then turned in what the Gazette described as a "solid and measured performance" in a 1-0 defeat at Telford on 21.4.03. John finished off the season by playing in Margate's 2-1 win at Welling in the Kent Senior Cup Final on 30.4.03 and he ended the campaign having scored seven goals from a total of 43 outings (five as sub).

Early in July 2003 the Isle of Thanet Gazette reported there was a doubt over John's future at Margate and Chris Kinnear told the paper "Keister's still abroad, so we'll have to wait for that. We can't do anything about it if players are abroad." He returned in time for Margate's first friendly at Folkestone on 19.7.03 and the Thanet Times said "it was reassuring to see John Keister back from international duty". At that time terms still hadn't been agreed but John eventually signed a new contract.

He started the first three games of the 2003/04 season and had a typical battle with old foe Nick Roddis as Margate lost 2-1 to Aldershot in the Conference at Dover on 12.8.03. John was booked and then substituted in what the Isle of Thanet Gazette said was a precautionary measure as he "looked to be in danger of getting himself sent off". After a 1-0 defeat against Exeter at Dover on 16.8.03 John was dropped to the bench and made two sub appearances before returning to the starting line-up for a trip to Forest Green on 30.8.03. The Thanet Times praised his "eye-catching performance" in midfield as Margate won 2-1 and later described John as being "excellent" in a 1-0 win at Halifax on 20.9.03. Three days later he went off with a pulled hamstring in a 1-0 defeat against Barnet at Dover and John missed Margate's next eight matches due to the injury.

He returned to the side as a substitute in a 2-1 defeat against Woking at Dover on 11.11.03 and John was then a regular again for the next two months. He scored his first goal of the season in a 2-1 defeat at Gravesend & Northfleet on 1.1.04 and John was on target again in a 2-2 draw at Dorchester in the FA Trophy on 10.1.04. He played up front that day. At the start of February 2004 John missed three matches before coming on as a substitute in a 3-0 defeat at Telford in the FA Trophy on 17.2.04. He also came on as a sub in Margate's next two games before making his first start since 24.1.04 in a 2-0 win over Welling in a Kent Senior Cup tie played at Ramsgate on 2.3.04. The Isle of Thanet Gazette said John "added stability and control to the midfield".

On 6.3.04 John was sent off in the 89th minute of a 3-3 draw with Dagenham & Redbridge at Dover after a clash with Chris Piper whose brother Lenny had had a loan spell with Margate earlier in the season. Chris Kinnear had no complaints and told the Thanet Times "It was silly...John lashed out with his hand...John knows he was wrong." He started Margate's next two matches before serving a three match ban and John made his return in a 3-0 win over Farnborough at Dover on 3.4.04. After that he started the last five games of the campaign and the last of them was the Kent Senior Cup Final at Folkestone on 28.4.04. John's 83rd minute goal gave Margate a 2-1 win to retain the trophy and it was his third from 36 appearances (six as sub). In its end of season round-up the Isle of Thanet Gazette said it had been an "in-and-out term for the Sierra Leone international" and added he "lost his place mid-season, but improved towards the end".

Margate started the 2004/05 campaign in the Conference South following their demotion and John enjoyed a good start to the season. The Isle of Thanet Gazette said he "spread some intelligent passes about" in a 1-0 win at Carshalton on 16.8.04 and in its report on a 2-1 defeat at Cambridge City on 30.8.04 the paper said John "controlled the midfield well and was responsible for much of Margate's passing display". On 11.9.04 he was sent off in a 1-0 defeat against Weymouth at Margate's adopted home in Ashford and John's red card made him the first player ever to be dismissed five times in their Margate career.

The Thanet Times said John was the "best player on the pitch after a dominant show in midfield" in a 4-2 win at Maidenhead on 18.9.04 and having serving a one match ban he returned to the side for an FA Cup tie with Waltham Forest at Ashford on 2.10.04. The Thanet Times felt he "excelled on his return to midfield" and John scored in a 2-1 win after beating two defenders. The paper said he "deserved his goal for the way he held the midfield together". John was sent off again with 30 minutes left of a 3-2 defeat at Walton & Hersham in the FA Trophy on 6.11.04 having picked up two yellow cards within the space of five second half minutes and Chris Kinnear told the Thanet Times "I wouldn't say it was unlucky."

After playing in a 5-1 win over Havant & Waterlooville at Ashford on 13.11.04 John sat out two games due to suspension before coming on as a substitute in a Conference Cup tie at Thurrock on 29.11.04. John again marked his first game after a ban by scoring and actually got both Margate's goals in a 2-1 win. The Isle of Thanet Gazette said they were "two sublime strikes" and described the first as an "unstoppable drive from some 25 yards" whilst saying John's second was "even better" as he curled home a shot from what the paper called a "considerable distance".

After his goalscoring comeback John resumed his duties in the number seven shirt for a 1-0 defeat against Hornchurch at Ashford on 4.12.04 and the Thanet Times then said he "had to do much of the work himself" in midfield as Margate lost 1-0 at Hayes on 11.12.04. The paper reported that John had "a huge influence on Margate's play" during a 2-2 draw at Weymouth on 18.12.04 and he continued to be a key player as 2004 came to an end.

On 1.1.05 a lack of defensive options meant that John had to play as a sweeper in a 1-0 defeat at Welling and the Thanet Times said he "filled in remarkably well". It was the start of a spell where John played more often in defence than he did in midfield. After a 2-0 win over Maidenhead at Ashford on 15.2.05 Chris Kinnear said "John Keister has moved from midfield to sweeper, and been magnificent." The Isle of Thanet Gazette concurred and said John "yet again reveled in his new role" during a 2-1 defeat at Crawley in the Conference Cup on 15.3.05.

The Thanet Times said he put in "a commanding and inspirational performance from sweeper" in a 1-0 defeat against Carshalton at Ashford on 19.3.05 but after a 2-0 defeat at the hands of visitors Cambridge City on 28.3.05 John had to serve a two match suspension due to the yellow cards he'd accrued. He returned at sweeper in a 2-1 defeat against Dorchester at Ashford on 9.4.05 and the Thanet Times said John was "again the pick of the players". He featured in Margate's last three league matches as relegation to the Isthmian League Premier Division was confirmed and John was then part of the side that beat Dover 2-1 in the Kent Senior Cup Final at Folkestone on 2.5.05. He scored three times in 44 appearances (one as sub) during the 2004/05 campaign and John's displays won him the 'Supporters' Player of the Year' award for the season.

He spent the early part of the summer of 2005 in the USA where he coached at a 'soccer camp' in Ohio and when John returned to Margate ahead of the 2005/06 campaign he was appointed as player-coach. In July 2005 he told the Kent Online website "I think Chris Kinnear has looked at my experience, and hopes that rubs it off on the younger players in the side. Things happened at the club that were not football-related, and that is what hurt. We were in the Dr Martens League, then the Conference, and now the Ryman League. We have just got to look forward and not back." Chris Kinnear said "He has got a lot to offer on the coaching side, and is still a quality player...I think it will calm him down a bit. The supporters love him, and I always knew he would come back. He's happy and so are we." John added "I will be 35 in November, and have been very fortunate to have earned a living out of something I love doing. I am still very focused and want to do well."

He started the 2005/06 season playing at centre-back and on 20.8.05 John was in the side that beat Maldon 1-0 in Margate's first game back at the temporary version of Hartsdown Park. The Thanet Times wrote "a few long passes went astray but Keister's still got it". The paper then said he "dictated most of Margate's best play" in a 0-0 draw with Redbridge on 29.8.05 and was "at the heart of everything" playing slightly further forward. On 10.9.05 John fired a penalty over the bar during a 4-0 win over Cowes in an FA Cup tie at Hartsdown Park and then having started the first eight matches of the new campaign he missed six games due to what the Thanet Times described as "personal circumstances".

Over a month after his last appearance John returned to the number seven shirt for a 3-0 win at Bashley in the FA Trophy on 15.10.05 and Chris Kinnear told the Thanet Times "John made a difference to us. His touch wasn't quite right as he hadn't played for a while but it goes back to what I was saying about drive and ambition. If you've got that, you don't always have to be at your best to still have a chance." John was a regular again for the next three months and initially played in his favoured midfield role. The Thanet Times said he made some "quality tackles to break up play" in a 1-0 defeat at Braintree on 29.10.05 but towards the end of 2005 John found himself back in Margate's defence.

After a run of 16 starts from 18 games up to and including a 5-2 home defeat against Staines on 14.1.06 John missed four matches with a pelvic problem before returning as a sub in a 2-1 win at AFC Wimbledon on 11.2.06. He made one further appearance from the bench before starting for the first time in six weeks as Margate won 4-0 against Wealdstone at Northwood on 25.2.06 and John was ever-present to the end of the season after that.

The Thanet Times said he "had a very good game in the middle of midfield" in a 2-0 win at Leyton on 22.4.06 but also claimed John managed the "miss of the season". The paper said he "nearly took the chimney pots off as a wild shot flew out of the ground and cleared the row of houses behind the goal".

On 29.4.06 John played in a 4-2 home win over Hendon to finish the campaign having made 39 appearances (two as sub) without scoring but shortly afterwards he was released by Margate's new player-manager Robin Trott and immediately signed for Dover. Trott told the Isle of Thanet Gazette "I had a chat with John at the weekend and he was great about it. He's a lovely bloke and a good man to have around the club - he's backed me all the way. I've had to look at John's age and how long he's going to give me. I felt guilty about releasing him so I'm pleased he's found a club so quickly."

John spoke to the Kentish Football website after joining Dover and said "It wasn't a difficult decision. I've been in the game a long time and I could sense that Dover Athletic are a good club, one that is going places. I like the ground, the big crowds they get, the manager, the chairman and the ambition. It's true I pick up a few bookings. That's just the way I play. I go into a tackle to win the ball. I am never going to hold back - otherwise what is the point ?"

Dover's chairman Jim Parmenter said "Keister, make no mistake, is a superb player. There's many clubs at a higher level who would've wanted him, that's for sure - and we know that. He makes not only the midfield stronger; he adds a defensive option too. Fans will see this when the season gets underway.

In October 2006 John was sent off twice in the space of three games for Dover as he was dismissed in an Isthmian League Cup clash at Ramsgate on 3.10.06 and then again in an FA Cup tie at Heybridge on 14.10.06. He then picked up his third red card in a 5-0 home win over Chatham in the Isthmian League Division 1 South on 31.3.07. By the end of the 2006/07 season John had made 29 league appearances (two as sub) without scoring for Dover.

He then featured 38 times in the Isthmian League Division 1 South during 2007/08 as Dover won the title and John scored two goals - in a 3-0 win over Corinthian Casuals at Crabble on 17.11.07 and a 2-0 win in the reverse fixture on 16.2.08. He also picked up another red card in a 3-1 defeat at Chatham on 19.1.08 and John won Dover's 'Player of the Year' award.

Dover won the Isthmian League Premier Division title at the first attempt during 2008/09 and John made 30 league appearances (four as sub), scoring once. His goal came in a 2-1 win at Wealdstone on 22.11.08.

John stayed at Dover for the start of their first season in the Conference South but having made a total of 128 appearances for the club he rejoined Margate in September 2009, two months before his 39th birthday. Dover manager Andy Hessenthaler told Kentish Football "I'm very sorry to see him go. John has been a smashing player for us. His experience on and off the field has been a huge help - and he's a professional of the highest order. But he appreciated that with the talent we've got in the squad now that he might not get as many games - and of course John wants to play, especially now at his age."

He signed a contract to the end of the 2009/10 season and John told the Isle of Thanet Gazette "The club is in my heart. I'm coming back to where I started in non-league football. If I was going anywhere this was the place to come. I had a good time here before I left. The fans had a bit of success but that's gone away from them. They've gone through a rough patch and it's about time they got something back. I think it's about building and hopefully we can start a new era. You've got to think about what the club's been through and just keeping the club afloat is a massive plus for this town. I've always been told to play as long as I can and as long as my body can take it I'll carry on. When the body says it can't do it any more that'll be the end for me. I can leave Dover proud of what I've achieved there but this is a new chapter."

Margate Chief Executive Keith Piper told the Gazette "John was a character and somebody who always appeared to enjoy his time at Margate. I let him go because I thought his legs had gone but he's proved me wrong because I understand he's been outstanding at Dover. There was a risk he wouldn't be playing as much football this year and that wasn't what he wanted." He also added "It's one for the fans, that's why I've done it mainly. It was an easy deal because he had a lot of happy days here. We always go on really well together, we looked after him when he was here and he appreciates that. He had no hesitation coming back once he realised the situation at Dover."

John made the first appearance of his second spell at Margate when he wore his traditional number seven shirt in a 2-2 draw with Sutton in an FA Cup tie at Hartsdown Park on 12.9.09. The Thanet Times said he was "given a cracking reception" and after starting in midfield John had to drop back into defence when Dan Young went off injured after 20 minutes. The paper said "he impressed with his talking as much as anything" and added "when you think it was his first game back after three years, Keister wasn't shy of telling people what he wanted". The Times also picked John as man-of-the-match and explained the decision by saying he was "as good as anyone and sentiment seals the deal".

John's next outing was in the FA Cup replay at Sutton on 15.9.09 and he played as a sweeper. Margate lost 3-2 and John was sent off after picking up a second yellow card for protesting about a controversial goal for the home side. It was the seventh time he'd seen red for Margate.

John continued in his defensive role until the end of 2009 and he was a fixture in the side apart from missing two Isthmian League Cup games due to being cup-tied and one Isthmian League Premier Division match due to suspension. He also started assisting with coaching.

John had played in 14 out of a possible 17 games up to and including a 1-0 home defeat against Maidstone on 2.1.10 but he then missed six matches altogether. He was initially suspended for accumulated yellow cards but towards the end of January 2010 John was suspended by Margate for 14 days due to allegations of misconduct. The Isle of Thanet Gazette's article about his suspension was headlined "Gate Legend Facing Sack ?" and explained that manager Mark Butler had reported what was described as "a serious allegation" to Chief Executive Keith Piper.

On 8.2.10 an Isthmian League appeals panel cleared John of any misconduct and the next day Mark Butler resigned but told the Isle of Thanet Gazette "I want people to know Keister getting cleared is nothing to do with me leaving."

Immediately after his club suspension was lifted and Mark Butler had left John became Margate's joint caretaker manager for a three game spell alongside midfielder Wayne Wilson. In the first of those matches on 13.2.10 John wore the number four shirt as Margate lost 1-0 at AFC Hornchurch and he also started the other two games of his joint managerial reign, the second of which was a 2-1 defeat against Canvey Island at Hartsdown Park on 20.2.10.

John's former Margate team-mate Iain O'Connell then took over as manager and John was officially appointed as player-coach but sat out the first two matches under O'Connell.

He returned to action as sweeper in a 2-1 win over visitors Tooting & Mitcham on 9.3.10 but in his next outing in a game at Billericay on 13.3.10 John was sent off for the second time since his return to Margate and the eighth time in all, extending his own all-time club record. He was dismissed after only 13 minutes for what the Thanet Times described as an "appalling two-footed tackle" and Iain O'Connell told the paper "It was a stupid tackle and I've no arguments with the red card." Margate lost the match 2-1.

John played in the next three games and the Isle of Thanet Gazette's report on the last of them - a 1-0 win at Dartford on 23.3.10 - said he was "magnificent" at sweeper but John then missed the next four matches due to suspension. Commenting on John's ban Iain O'Connell told the Isle of Thanet Gazette "His organisational skills are outstanding and he brings so much more to the team in terms of experience and leadership."

In John's absence new signing Tommy Osborne slotted into the side at sweeper and did so well there that John was unable to regain his place in the team once he was available again. He spent the last five games of the season as an unused substitute and finished the campaign having made 22 appearances without scoring as Margate avoided relegation despite finishing in the Isthmian League Premier Division drop zone.

Looking ahead to the new season in July 2010 Iain O'Connell told the Isle of Thanet Gazette "John will only play in an emergency. I want him in the dugout with me because he's a great coach and you need someone to bounce ideas off. We just work well together."

A few weeks later as 2010/11 was about to begin O'Connell spoke to the Gazette again about John and said "Great coach and even better since he's hung up his boots. Well, he hasn't actually but I've told him he has !"

John did sit out the first three games of the new campaign before playing as a sweeper in a 1-0 defeat at Kingstonian in the Isthmian League Premier Division on 4.9.10 and he kept his place for a match against Aveley at Hartsdown Park on 7.9.10. Margate won 2-0 and Iain O'Connell told the Isle of Thanet Gazette "He's such a good talker. It's important to have that in your team and that's why I've put him in."

John then wore the number six shirt in the next seven games and the Thanet Times said he turned in an "immaculate performance" in a 1-0 win over visitors Wealdstone on 18.9.10. The paper described him as being a "rock at sweeper" and describing John's playing style continued "doesn't cross the halfway line these days. He just sits there at the back, talks his team-mates through the game and tidies up everything. It's like watching one of those charity matches where the footy legends can't run about as much as the 20-something celebrities so instead just use their loaf to make the young pretenders look daft".

John's run in the side ended following a 2-1 defeat at Sutton on 2.10.10 and after missing seven matches he returned in a 2-0 home defeat against Bromley in the Kent Senior Cup on 2.11.10. After sitting out another five games John resumed his sweeper duties in a 3-3 draw with Tooting & Mitcham at Hartsdown Park on 27.11.10, shortly after he'd celebrated his 40th birthday. The Thanet Times said he "was possibly Gate's best player". John then missed three matches but he was back in the side for a 1-0 win at Wealdstone on 10.1.11 and Iain O'Connell told Margate's website "He did really well. I put John in for a reason; his experience and also the fact that he's a very good talker."

On 15.1.11 John wore the number six shirt as Margate lost 2-0 at Canvey Island and it turned out to be his final outing for Margate, just under ten years since his first game for the club in the Southern League Premier Division. Shortly afterwards he went to Sierra Leone due to his father being taken ill and in February 2011 John was officially released having made 12 appearances without scoring during 2010/11.

By July 2011 he had become Head Coach of Sierra Leonean club FC Johansen and John led their Under-16's in the 6th International Swiss Under-16 Cup in Zurich. On 7.8.11 they beat Liverpool's Under-16's 1-0 after extra time to win the tournament.

FC Johansen's senior side entered the Sierra Leone Premier League for the 2012 season under John and at one point the club enjoyed a 27-match unbeaten run.

In May 2012 he became a coach to Sierra Leone's national side.