Martin Devaney

Martin Devaney

Personal information
Full name	Martin Thomas Devaney
Date of birth	(1980-06-01) 1 June 1980
Place of birth	Cheltenham, England
Height
Position(s)	Midfielder
Team information
Current team	Worcester City
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)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 19 March 2014

Martin Thomas Devaney (born 1 June 1980 in Cheltenham) is a football midfielder currently playing for Worcester City. Born of Irish parents, Devaney has played for the Republic of Ireland under-16s.

Career

Devaney started playing football for Charlton Rovers AFC and attended Balcarras School in Charlton Kings, Cheltenham. 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.

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 (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.

On 7 October 2010, Devaney joined Walsall on loan for a month. He impressed in his debut game against Exeter City, 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 equaliser against Dagenham & Redbridge. 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 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. He was released at the end of the 2011–12 season.

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

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.

External links

• Martin Devaney career statistics at Soccerbase