John Devine
Encyclopedia
John Anthony Devine is an Irish
former football
er and Manager/Coach.
Born in Dublin, Devine joined London
club Arsenal
in November 1974 as an apprentice. Part of a large young Irish contingent at Arsenal (which also included Liam Brady
, David O'Leary
and Frank Stapleton
), Devine turned professional in 1976. A full back who preferred playing on the right, he made his debut for the Gunners on April 22, 1978, deputising for Pat Rice
.
With Rice and Sammy Nelson
occupying the Arsenal full back positions most of the time, Devine didn't break into the first team straight away, although he did play in the 1980 FA Cup Final
(which Arsenal lost 1-0 to West Ham United
) in preference to Nelson. However, Nelson returned to the Arsenal side for the Gunners' Cup Winners Cup final against Valencia
. After Rice left for Watford
in the summer of 1980, Devine stepped up to become Arsenal's regular right-back, playing 44 times in 1980-81. However, his tenure there didn't last; after Devine was out of the side with a serious injury, John Hollins
was moved back into defence as cover, and Devine could not reclaim his place once he had regained fitness. He played only 23 games in his final two seasons at Arsenal.
Devine left Arsenal in the summer of 1983, having played 111 first-team matches for the club in nine years. He joined Norwich City
, and played 69 games in two seasons for the Canaries, and was an unused sub in the Canaries' League Cup
final win in 1984-85
. He then represented Stoke City
, but after breaking his leg for the 3rd time, his career was effectively over at top level.He then signed for 1 year in 1997 for India
n side East Bengal
. He had 1 season at Norwegian
club Start
in 1988, before signing for Shamrock Rovers in 1989, making his League of Ireland
debut on the 26th of November. He played in the first game at the RDS Arena
in September 1990 and helped Rovers to the FAI Cup
final in 1991. He made a total of 41 appearances scoring 7 goals for the Hoops. His last game was on the opening day of the 1991/92 season, where he retired to Coach full time.
Devine was capped for the Republic of Ireland
at every level, winning thirty caps in all, with thirteen of those coming for the senior side. He made his senior debut on September 26, 1979 against Czechoslovakia
, and his last cap came against Norway
on October 17, 1984. He never played in a World Cup or European Championship
finals, as Ireland did not qualify for any tournaments during that time, although most of his caps were won in European and World Cup Qualifying games.
He became Head coach and then caretaker manager at Shelbourne
after Eamonn Gregg
was sacked in November 1994 http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/archive/1994/1112/Pg019.html#Ar01901:08F9660B398050499D5299B706F8CD0AF93C0AF8CF16393E0BC9660F39800ED9C61249E00C8A38100A5153199D56A9B7. Shelbourne's close ties with Manchester United
led to Devine working with the English club, and he was Manchester United's Academy Director of youth development in Ireland in the 1990s for 10 years.
Devine was Head Coach at Sporting Fingal for 3 seasons from 2008 to 2011,during which time the Club won promotion 2 years in succession and in year 2 won the F.A.I Ford Cup Final V Sligo Rvs. They also qualified for Europe 2 years in a row.
He was married to Miss Ireland 1980, Michelle Rocca
in 1981 and the couple had two daughters, Danielle and Natasha, before divorcing in 1990.
Republic of Ireland
Ireland , described as the Republic of Ireland , is a sovereign state in Europe occupying approximately five-sixths of the island of the same name. Its capital is Dublin. Ireland, which had a population of 4.58 million in 2011, is a constitutional republic governed as a parliamentary democracy,...
former football
Football (soccer)
Association football, more commonly known as football or soccer, is a sport played between two teams of eleven players with a spherical ball...
er and Manager/Coach.
Born in Dublin, Devine joined London
London
London is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...
club Arsenal
Arsenal F.C.
Arsenal Football Club is a professional English Premier League football club based in North London. One of the most successful clubs in English football, it has won 13 First Division and Premier League titles and 10 FA Cups...
in November 1974 as an apprentice. Part of a large young Irish contingent at Arsenal (which also included Liam Brady
Liam Brady
Liam Brady is a former Irish association football player, and former assistant manager of the Republic of Ireland national football team....
, David O'Leary
David O'Leary
David Anthony O'Leary is an Irish football manager and former player. His managerial career began at Leeds United and later he managed Aston Villa. He most recently worked as the manager of Al-Ahli Dubai...
and Frank Stapleton
Frank Stapleton
Francis Anthony "Frank" Stapleton is an Irish former football player and manager. He is best remembered for his time at Arsenal, Manchester United and as a pivotal player for the Republic of Ireland...
), Devine turned professional in 1976. A full back who preferred playing on the right, he made his debut for the Gunners on April 22, 1978, deputising for Pat Rice
Pat Rice
Patrick James "Pat" Rice is a former Northern Irish football player and coach. As a player he made over 400 appearances for Arsenal, winning the Double, and later made a hundred more appearances for Watford. He also won 49 caps for Northern Ireland...
.
With Rice and Sammy Nelson
Sammy Nelson
Samuel "Sammy" Nelson is a Northern Ireland former football player, who joined London club Arsenal on his 17th birthday in 1966....
occupying the Arsenal full back positions most of the time, Devine didn't break into the first team straight away, although he did play in the 1980 FA Cup Final
1980 FA Cup Final
The 1980 FA Cup Final was contested by West Ham United and Arsenal at Wembley. West Ham won by a single goal, scored by Trevor Brooking.To date, it is the last time a team from outside the top flight has won the FA Cup...
(which Arsenal lost 1-0 to West Ham United
West Ham United F.C.
West Ham United Football Club is an English professional football club based in Upton Park, Newham, East London. They play in The Football League Championship. The club was founded in 1895 as Thames Ironworks FC and reformed in 1900 as West Ham United. In 1904 the club relocated to their current...
) in preference to Nelson. However, Nelson returned to the Arsenal side for the Gunners' Cup Winners Cup final against Valencia
Valencia CF
Valencia Club de Fútbol is a Spanish football club based in Valencia, Spain. They play in La Liga and are one of the most successful and biggest clubs in Spanish Football and European Football. Valencia have won six La Liga titles, seven Copa del Rey trophies, two Fairs Cups which was the...
. After Rice left for Watford
Watford F.C.
Watford Football Club is an English professional football club based in Watford, Hertfordshire. It is often referred to as Watford F.C., Watford, or by the team's nickname The Hornets . Watford Rovers, Founded in 1881, entered the FA Cup for the first time in 1886, and the Southern League a decade...
in the summer of 1980, Devine stepped up to become Arsenal's regular right-back, playing 44 times in 1980-81. However, his tenure there didn't last; after Devine was out of the side with a serious injury, John Hollins
John Hollins
John William Hollins MBE is a retired English footballer and manager. He was initially a midfielder who, later in his career, became an effective centre back.Hollins' son, Chris Hollins is the main sport presenter on BBC Breakfast....
was moved back into defence as cover, and Devine could not reclaim his place once he had regained fitness. He played only 23 games in his final two seasons at Arsenal.
Devine left Arsenal in the summer of 1983, having played 111 first-team matches for the club in nine years. He joined Norwich City
Norwich City F.C.
Norwich City Football Club is an English professional football club based in Norwich, Norfolk. As of the 2011–12 season, Norwich City are again playing in the Premier League after a six-year absence, having finished as runner up in the Championship in 2010–11 and winning automatic promotion.The...
, and played 69 games in two seasons for the Canaries, and was an unused sub in the Canaries' League Cup
Football League Cup
The Football League Cup, commonly known as the League Cup or, from current sponsorship, the Carling Cup, is an English association football competition. Like the FA Cup, it is played on a knockout basis...
final win in 1984-85
1984-85 in English football
The 1984–85 season was the 105th season of competitive football in England.-Bradford City disaster:56 spectators died and more than 200 were injured when a fire ripped through the Main Stand at Valley Parade during Bradford City's Third Division fixture with Lincoln City on 11 May...
. He then represented Stoke City
Stoke City F.C.
Stoke City Football Club is an English professional football club based in Stoke-on-Trent, Staffordshire that plays in the Premier League. Founded in 1863, it is the oldest club in the Premier League, and considered to be the second oldest professional football club in the world, after Notts...
, but after breaking his leg for the 3rd time, his career was effectively over at top level.He then signed for 1 year in 1997 for India
India
India , officially the Republic of India , is a country in South Asia. It is the seventh-largest country by geographical area, the second-most populous country with over 1.2 billion people, and the most populous democracy in the world...
n side East Bengal
East Bengal Club
Kingfisher East Bengal Football Club are an Indian professional football club based at Kolkata. They are known to be one of the best footballing sides in India. They have won the most IFA Shields in Indian Football and are tied for the most National Football League and Durand Cup championships with...
. He had 1 season at Norwegian
Norway
Norway , officially the Kingdom of Norway, is a Nordic unitary constitutional monarchy whose territory comprises the western portion of the Scandinavian Peninsula, Jan Mayen, and the Arctic archipelago of Svalbard and Bouvet Island. Norway has a total area of and a population of about 4.9 million...
club Start
I.K. Start
IK Start is a Norwegian football club from the town of Kristiansand, currently playing in Adeccoligaen having been relegated from Tippeligaen in 2011. The club was founded on 19 September 1905. The coach is Mons Ivar Mjelde...
in 1988, before signing for Shamrock Rovers in 1989, making his League of Ireland
League of Ireland
The League of Ireland is the national association football league of the Republic of Ireland. Founded in 1921, as a league of eight clubs, it has expanded over time into a two-tiered league of 22 clubs. It is currently split into the League of Ireland Premier Division and the League of Ireland...
debut on the 26th of November. He played in the first game at the RDS Arena
RDS Arena
RDS Arena is a multi-purpose sports stadium, owned by the Royal Dublin Society and located in the Dublin suburb of Ballsbridge, Ireland.The arena was originally developed to host equestrian events, including the annual Dublin Horse Show, which was first held there in 1868. The site was acquired in...
in September 1990 and helped Rovers to the FAI Cup
FAI Cup
The Football Association of Ireland Challenge Cup, known as the FAI Ford Cup for sponsorship reasons, is a knock-out association football competition contested annually by teams from the Republic of Ireland...
final in 1991. He made a total of 41 appearances scoring 7 goals for the Hoops. His last game was on the opening day of the 1991/92 season, where he retired to Coach full time.
Devine was capped for the Republic of Ireland
Republic of Ireland national football team
The Republic of Ireland national football team represents Ireland in association football. It is run by the Football Association of Ireland and currently plays home fixtures at Aviva Stadium in Dublin, which opened in May 2010....
at every level, winning thirty caps in all, with thirteen of those coming for the senior side. He made his senior debut on September 26, 1979 against Czechoslovakia
Czechoslovakia national football team
The Czechoslovakia national football team was the national association football team of Czechoslovakia from 1922 to 1993. At the dissolution of Czechoslovakia at the end of 1992, the team was participating in UEFA qualifying Group 4 for the 1994 World Cup; it completed this campaign under the name...
, and his last cap came against Norway
Norway national football team
The Norway national football team represents Norway in association football and is controlled by the Football Association of Norway, the governing body for football in Norway. Norway's home ground is Ullevaal Stadion in Oslo and their head coach is Egil Olsen...
on October 17, 1984. He never played in a World Cup or European Championship
UEFA European Football Championship
The UEFA European Football Championship is the main football competition of the men's national football teams governed by UEFA . Held every four years since 1960, in the even-numbered year between World Cup tournaments, it was originally called the UEFA European Nations Cup, changing to the current...
finals, as Ireland did not qualify for any tournaments during that time, although most of his caps were won in European and World Cup Qualifying games.
He became Head coach and then caretaker manager at Shelbourne
Shelbourne F.C.
Shelbourne Football Club is an Irish professional football club based in the Drumcondra area of Dublin, currently playing in the League of Ireland Premier Division....
after Eamonn Gregg
Eamonn Gregg
Eamonn Gregg was an Irish soccer player during the 1970s and 1980s.-Playing career:He played for Shamrock Rovers, Bohemians, VfB Lübeck, Dundalk, St Patricks Athletic and Kilkenny City during his career. He made 180 league appearances and 15 European appearances for Bohs during his 8 seasons at...
was sacked in November 1994 http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/archive/1994/1112/Pg019.html#Ar01901:08F9660B398050499D5299B706F8CD0AF93C0AF8CF16393E0BC9660F39800ED9C61249E00C8A38100A5153199D56A9B7. Shelbourne's close ties with Manchester United
Manchester United F.C.
Manchester United Football Club is an English professional football club, based in Old Trafford, Greater Manchester, that plays in the Premier League. Founded as Newton Heath LYR Football Club in 1878, the club changed its name to Manchester United in 1902 and moved to Old Trafford in 1910.The 1958...
led to Devine working with the English club, and he was Manchester United's Academy Director of youth development in Ireland in the 1990s for 10 years.
Devine was Head Coach at Sporting Fingal for 3 seasons from 2008 to 2011,during which time the Club won promotion 2 years in succession and in year 2 won the F.A.I Ford Cup Final V Sligo Rvs. They also qualified for Europe 2 years in a row.
He was married to Miss Ireland 1980, Michelle Rocca
Michelle Rocca
Michelle Rocca is a Dublin socialite who initially achieved a degree of fame as the wife of footballer John Devine before becoming for a lengthy period the girlfriend, and later, the wife of Van Morrison...
in 1981 and the couple had two daughters, Danielle and Natasha, before divorcing in 1990.
External links
- Photograph and biography at sporting-heroes.net
- Career information at ex-canaries.co.uk