Martin Devaney
Encyclopedia
Martin Thomas Devaney is an English
football midfielder
who plays for Tranmere Rovers
. Born of Irish
parents, Devaney has played for the Republic of Ireland
under-16s.
's books as a youngster, but was released from the then Premier League club, and after playing pre-season for hometown club Cheltenham Town
the then manager Steve Cotterill
offered him a contract.
His initial efforts as a striker for the Robins were fairly underwhelming, despite occasional flashes of brilliance, although he did become the first Cheltenham player to score a Football league
hat-trick
in September 2000 against Plymouth Argyle
. Towards the end of his spell at Cheltenham he was played as a wide midfielder, typically on the right wing, although occasionally on the left.
Devaney left Cheltenham in July 2005, initially joining Watford
, however, Adrian Boothroyd
could not find a place in his squad for the winger, and he was allowed to join Barnsley
at the end of August. In his first season at the club he helped them to promotion, beating Swansea City
on penalties in the play-off final. This meant all three sides Devaney represented during 2005 were promoted via the play-offs at the end of the 2005–06
season.
Devaney remained in the side with Barnsley competing in the Championship
. He was in the sides that beat Premiership Liverpool
and Chelsea
in consecutive rounds to reach the FA Cup
semi-finals in the 2007–08
season. In both games he provided the assist for a Barnsley goal, each an excellent cross to allow Stephen Foster
(vs. Liverpool) and Kayode Odejayi
(vs. Chelsea) to score.
On 29 October 2009 Devaney joined Football League One
side Milton Keynes Dons
on a month-emergency loan. He then scored his first goal for the Dons in a stunning FA Cup encounter with Exeter City
. After the Dons were losing 3–2, Devaney came off the bench to score a header from outside of the box. That being his first touch. The Dons then went on to win 4–3 in a memorable 2nd round tie.
On 7 October 2010, Deveney joined Walsall
on loan for a month. He impressed in his debut game setting up the Saddlers second goal and putting in a man of the match performance. In his second game he continued to impress by scoring the winner. He returned to Barnsley on 7 November 2010.
On 11 May 2011, Devaney's contract expired and he left Barnsley.
On 2 August 2011, he signed a 1 year contract with Tranmere Rovers and made his competitive club debut on the first day of the 2011-12 season, starting the Football League match against Chesterfield
.
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
football midfielder
Midfielder
A midfielder is an association football position. Some midfielders play a more defensive role, while others blur the boundaries between midfielders and forwards. The number of midfielders a team uses during a match may vary, depending on the team's formation and each individual player's role...
who plays for Tranmere Rovers
Tranmere Rovers F.C.
Tranmere Rovers Football Club are an English team based in Birkenhead, Wirral. The club currently compete in League One, the third tier of the English football league system...
. Born of Irish
Irish people
The Irish people are an ethnic group who originate in Ireland, an island in northwestern Europe. Ireland has been populated for around 9,000 years , with the Irish people's earliest ancestors recorded having legends of being descended from groups such as the Nemedians, Fomorians, Fir Bolg, Tuatha...
parents, Devaney has played for the Republic of Ireland
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,...
under-16s.
Career
Devaney started playing football for Charlton Rovers AFC and attended Balcarras School in Charlton Kings, Cheltenham. He was on Coventry CityCoventry City F.C.
Coventry City Football Club, otherwise known as the Sky Blues owing to the traditional colour of their strip, are a professional English Football league club based in Coventry...
's books as a youngster, but was released from the then Premier League club, and after playing pre-season for hometown club Cheltenham Town
Cheltenham Town F.C.
Cheltenham Town Football Club is an English football club playing in League Two, the fourth tier of English football. Founded in 1887, the team has played at four different grounds, namely Agg-Gardner's Recreation Ground, Carter's Field and now the Abbey Business Stadium, although it is more...
the then manager Steve Cotterill
Steve Cotterill
Stephen "Steve" Cotterill is an English former footballer who is manager of Nottingham Forest.-Playing career:...
offered him a contract.
His initial efforts as a striker for the Robins were fairly underwhelming, despite occasional flashes of brilliance, although he did become the first Cheltenham player to score a Football league
The Football League
The Football League, also known as the npower Football League for sponsorship reasons, is a league competition featuring professional association football clubs from England and Wales. Founded in 1888, it is the oldest such competition in world football...
hat-trick
Hat-trick
A hat-trick or hat trick in sport is the achievement of a positive feat three times during a game, or other achievements based on threes. The term was first used in 1858 in cricket to describe HH Stephenson's feat of taking three wickets in three balls. A collection was held for Stephenson, and he...
in September 2000 against Plymouth Argyle
Plymouth Argyle F.C.
Plymouth Argyle Football Club is an English professional football club, based in Plymouth, Devon, that plays in Football League Two.Since becoming professional in 1903, the club has won five Football League titles, five Southern League titles and one Western League title. The 2009–10 season was the...
. Towards the end of his spell at Cheltenham he was played as a wide midfielder, typically on the right wing, although occasionally on the left.
Devaney left Cheltenham in July 2005, initially joining 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...
, however, Adrian Boothroyd
Adrian Boothroyd
Adrian Neil "Aidy" Boothroyd is an English former footballer and is currently managing Northampton Town after being sacked as manager of Coventry City on March 14, 2011. He was manager of Watford of the Championship until 3 November 2008...
could not find a place in his squad for the winger, and he was allowed to join Barnsley
Barnsley F.C.
Barnsley Football Club are a professional English football club based in the town of Barnsley, South Yorkshire. Nicknamed the Tykes, they were founded in 1887 under the name Barnsley St. Peter's...
at the end of August. In his first season at the club he helped them to promotion, beating Swansea City
Swansea City A.F.C.
Swansea City Association Football Club are a Welsh professional football club based in Swansea, Wales. One of the most successful clubs in Welsh football, it has won 10 Welsh Cups and led the English Football League First Division in December 1981, before finishing the season in 6th position...
on penalties in the play-off final. This meant all three sides Devaney represented during 2005 were promoted via the play-offs at the end of the 2005–06
2005-06 in English football
The 2005–06 season was the 126th season of competitive football in England.-Overview:*The rebuilt Wembley Stadium was due to open in time for the FA Cup final in May. However, in August 2005, The Football Association reserved the Millennium Stadium as a backup, as there was some doubt whether...
season.
Devaney remained in the side with Barnsley competing in the Championship
Football League Championship
The Football League Championship is the highest division of The Football League and second-highest division overall in the English football league system after the Premier League...
. He was in the sides that beat Premiership Liverpool
Liverpool F.C.
Liverpool Football Club is an English Premier League football club based in Liverpool, Merseyside. Liverpool has won eighteen League titles, second most in English football, seven FA Cups and a record seven League Cups...
and Chelsea
Chelsea F.C.
Chelsea Football Club are an English football club based in West London. Founded in 1905, they play in the Premier League and have spent most of their history in the top tier of English football. Chelsea have been English champions four times, FA Cup winners six times and League Cup winners four...
in consecutive rounds to reach the FA Cup
FA Cup
The Football Association Challenge Cup, commonly known as the FA Cup, is a knockout cup competition in English football and is the oldest association football competition in the world. The "FA Cup" is run by and named after The Football Association and usually refers to the English men's...
semi-finals in the 2007–08
2007-08 in English football
The 2007–08 season was the 128th season of competitive football in England.-European competitions:In October 2007 Arsenal equalled the UEFA Champions League record victory with a 7–0 win over Slavia Prague at the Emirates Stadium. The record was broken the following month when Liverpool...
season. In both games he provided the assist for a Barnsley goal, each an excellent cross to allow Stephen Foster
Stephen Foster (footballer)
Stephen John Foster is an English footballer who plays for Barnsley as a defender, having previously been captain.-Career:...
(vs. Liverpool) and Kayode Odejayi
Kayode Odejayi
Olukayode "Kayode" Odejayi is a Nigerian international footballer. He currently plays for Colchester United as a striker.-Club career:Born in Ibadan, Oyo State, Odejayi started his career as a trainee at Bristol City...
(vs. Chelsea) to score.
On 29 October 2009 Devaney joined Football League One
Football League One
Football League One is the second-highest division of The Football League and third-highest division overall in the English football league system....
side Milton Keynes Dons
Milton Keynes Dons F.C.
.Milton Keynes Dons Football Club is an English professional football club founded in 2004 and based since 2007 at Stadium mk, Milton Keynes, Buckinghamshire...
on a month-emergency loan. He then scored his first goal for the Dons in a stunning FA Cup encounter with Exeter City
Exeter City F.C.
Exeter City Football Club is an English football club, based in Exeter, which is owned by its fans through the Exeter City Supporters Trust.The club was a member of the Football League from 1920 to 2003...
. After the Dons were losing 3–2, Devaney came off the bench to score a header from outside of the box. That being his first touch. The Dons then went on to win 4–3 in a memorable 2nd round tie.
On 7 October 2010, Deveney joined Walsall
Walsall F.C.
Walsall Football Club are an English association football club based in Walsall, West Midlands. They currently play in League One. The club was founded in 1888 as Walsall Town Swifts, an amalgamation of Walsall Town F.C. and Walsall Swifts F.C. The club was one of the founder members of the Second...
on loan for a month. He impressed in his debut game setting up the Saddlers second goal and putting in a man of the match performance. In his second game he continued to impress by scoring the winner. He returned to Barnsley on 7 November 2010.
On 11 May 2011, Devaney's contract expired and he left Barnsley.
On 2 August 2011, he signed a 1 year contract with Tranmere Rovers and made his competitive club debut on the first day of the 2011-12 season, starting the Football League match against Chesterfield
Chesterfield F.C.
Chesterfield Football Club is an English football club based in Chesterfield, Derbyshire. The club currently plays in Football League One, the third tier of English football. Despite being the fourth oldest Football League club in England, they have spent most of their existence in the lower...
.
External links
- Martin Devaney profile at barnsleyfc.co.uk