Devon White (footballer)

Devon White (born 2 March 1964) is an English football coach and former professional footballer.

For other people named Devon White, see Devon White (disambiguation).

Devon White
Personal information
Full name Devon White
Date of birth (1964-03-02) 2 March 1964
Place of birth Nottingham, England
Height 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m)[1]
Position(s) Striker
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
1983–1984 Arnold Kingswell
1984–1986 Lincoln City 29 (4)
1985–1986 → Boston United (loan) 7 (2)
1985–1986 → Naxxar Lions (loan) 1 (3)
1986–1987 Boston United 12 (2)
1986–1987 Shepshed Charterhouse
1987–1988 Grantham 0 (0)
1987–1992 Bristol Rovers 202 (53)
1992–1993 Cambridge United 22 (4)
1993–1994 Queens Park Rangers 26 (9)
1994–1996 Notts County 44 (16)
1996–1997 Watford 38 (7)
1997 Notts County 15 (2)
1997–1999 Shrewsbury Town 45 (10)
1999–? Ilkeston Town
*Club domestic league appearances and goals

He played as a striker most notably spending a spell in the Premier League for Queens Park Rangers as well as representing six different Football League clubs, Lincoln City, Bristol Rovers, Cambridge United, Notts County, Watford and Shrewsbury Town. He also had a spell in Malta with Naxxar Lions and featured in Non-league football for Arnold Kingswell, Boston United, Shepshed Charterhouse, Grantham and Ilkeston Town.

Playing career

White began his career in the non-league ranks whilst training as an electrician. In 1984 his talents were spotted by Lincoln City and he moved into the professional game. He spent two seasons with Lincoln, from where he was loaned to Maltese club Naxxar Lions,[2] before dropping back into the non-league ranks with first Boston United and then Shepshed Charterhouse. At the beginning of the 1987–1988 season he appeared in a Lincolnshire Senior Cup tie for Grantham before surprisingly rejoining the pro ranks at Bristol Rovers. He also had a short stint at non league Oxhey jets, scoring one goal in five matches.

The move occurred following the appointment of Gerry Francis as manager at Bristol Rovers. Francis was looking for a strong physical striker and remembered a performance White had given for Lincoln against Rovers and contacted Lincoln to enquire about signing White. He was somewhat surprised to discover White had drifted back into non-league football and it took some detective work to track him down. He grasped his second chance at the professional game and went on to enjoy a long career.

Coaching career

In December 2006, he returned to non-league football circuit as temporary first-team coach at Gedling Town, a role he occupied until the completion of the 2006–07 season.

Personal life

At the culmination of his professional career, White returned to his initial trade as an electrician and now runs his own company in Nottingham.[3]

In 2011, he was the victim of an impostor who posted comments on Facebook containing racist remarks, as well as references to drug use and serious sexual offences while claiming to be White. White reported the matter to the police and to Facebook.[4]

References
  1. Dunk, Peter, ed. (1987). Rothmans Football Yearbook 1987–88. London: Queen Anne Press. p. 218. ISBN 978-0-356-14354-5.
  2. Jay, Mike; Byrne, Stephen (1994). Pirates in Profile: A Who's Who of Bristol Rovers Players. Bristol: Potten, Baber & Murray. ISBN 0-9524835-0-5.
  3. "Where Are They Now? | Footballers | Devon White".
  4. "Bristol Rovers legend Devon White falls victim to a web of deceit". This is Bristol. Bristol Evening Post. 3 March 2011. Archived from the original on 5 May 2013. Retrieved 14 November 2011.
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