Martin Devaney

Martin Thomas Devaney (born 1 June 1980) is a football coach and former professional midfielder who was most recently caretaker manager of EFL Championship club Barnsley. Born in England of Irish parents, Devaney has played for the Ireland under-16s.

Martin Devaney
Personal information
Full name Martin Thomas Devaney
Date of birth (1980-06-01) 1 June 1980
Place of birth Cheltenham, England
Position(s) Midfielder
Youth career
1997–1999 Coventry City
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
1999–2005 Cheltenham Town 201 (37)
2005 Watford 0 (0)
2005–2011 Barnsley 159 (15)
2009 → Milton Keynes Dons (loan) 5 (0)
2010 → Walsall (loan) 4 (1)
2011–2012 Tranmere Rovers 20 (2)
2013 Kidderminster Harriers 8 (1)
2013–2014 Hyde 11 (0)
2014 Worcester City 2 (0)
Total 410 (56)
Managerial career
2022 Barnsley (caretaker)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals

Playing career

Early career

Devaney started playing football for Charlton Rovers AFC and attended Balcarras School in Charlton Kings, Cheltenham.[1] He was on Coventry City'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. However, 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.

Barnsley

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, a phenomenon dubbed The Devaney Code by fans in homage to Dan Brown's novel, The Da Vinci Code.

Devaney remained in the side with Barnsley competing in the Championship. He played in the victories against 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 a cross to allow Stephen Foster (versus Liverpool) and Kayode Odejayi (versus 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.[2]

On 7 October 2010, Devaney joined Walsall on loan for a month.[3] He impressed in his debut game against Exeter City, setting up the Saddlers second goal[4] and putting in a man of the match performance. In his second game he continued to impress by scoring the equaliser against Dagenham & Redbridge.[5] He returned to Barnsley on 7 November 2010.

On 11 May 2011, Devaney's contract expired and he left Barnsley.[6] He had become a firm favourite with the fans during his six years at the club, earning the nickname 'Disco' due to his tendency to trick defenders with spectacular footwork.

Later career

On 2 August 2011, he signed a one-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.[7] He was released at the end of the 2011–12 season.[8]

On 11 February 2013, he signed with Kidderminster Harriers on a deal until the end of the season.[9]

Towards the end of September 2013, Devaney signed a contract with struggling Conference Premier side Hyde.

On 7 March 2014, Devaney signed for Worcester City till the end of the season.[10]

Coaching career

After gaining his UEFA 'A' Coaching License, Devaney was appointed as a Professional Development Phase Coach at Barnsley in November 2015.[11] He went on to work with the club's Academy and Development squads.

On 24 April 2022, following the sacking of Poya Asbaghi, Devaney was appointed as caretaker manager for the rest of the season.[12]

References
  1. Palmer, Jon (7 February 2018). "New role at Barnsley for former Cheltenham Town winger". GloucestershireLive. Retrieved 18 July 2022.
  2. "MK Dons 4–3 Exeter". BBC. 28 November 2009. Retrieved 9 March 2010.
  3. "ANOTHER ADDITION FOR SADDLERS". Walsall FC Website. 7 October 2010. Retrieved 10 October 2010.
  4. "Walsall 2 – 1 Exeter". BBC. 9 October 2010. Retrieved 28 August 2012.
  5. "Dag & Red 1 – 1 Walsall". BBC. 16 October 2010. Retrieved 28 August 2012.
  6. "FIVE PLAYERS LEAVE OAKWELL". Barnsley FC Website. 11 May 2011. Retrieved 11 May 2011.
  7. "Tranmere 1–0 Chesterfield". BBC Sport. British Broadcasting Corporation. 6 August 2011. Retrieved 6 August 2011.
  8. "Moore Rebuilding Squad". Tranmere Rovers FC. 8 May 2012. Archived from the original on 11 May 2012. Retrieved 8 May 2012.
  9. http://www.harriers.co.uk/news/article/130210-martin-devaney-651411.aspx%5B%5D
  10. "New signing for City". Worcester City FC. 7 March 2014. Retrieved 24 April 2022.
  11. "Martin Devaney Appointed Professional Development Coach". Barnsley FC. 12 November 2015.
  12. "Poya Asbaghi leaves Barnsley by mutual consent following relegation to League One". Sky Sports. 24 April 2022. Retrieved 24 April 2022.
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