Martin Devaney
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.
