Martin Devaney

Cheltenham Town

Devaney spent time on the books of Birmingham City and Coventry City, before he signed for his hometown club, Football League newcomers Cheltenham Town, in 1999. He made his debut in the club's first-ever Football League game, coming on as a substitute in a 2–0 defeat to Rochdale at Whaddon Road. He ended the 1999–2000 season with six goals in 25 Third Division appearances. On 23 September 2000, Devaney scored the club's first Football League hat-trick during a 5–2 home win over Plymouth Argyle. He scored ten goals in 38 games throughout the 2000–01 campaign. He scored three goals from 32 games in the 2001–02 promotion-winning season. He scored the opening goal of the play-off final victory over Rushden & Diamonds at the Millennium Stadium and was named as man of the match. He was named the club's Player of the Year for the 2002–03 season, having claimed seven goals in 44 matches. The Robins were unable to survive in the Second Division, however, with manager Graham Allner sacked and his replacement Bobby Gould unable to prevent relegation from being confirmed with a final day defeat at Notts County. Devaney scored six goals in 44 games of the 2003–04 season. He scored a career-high of 11 goals in 42 matches in the 2004–05 campaign, with Cheltenham finishing mid-table in the renamed League Two. Manager John Ward placed him on the transfer list after he rejected the club's offer of a new contract in 2004. He was subsequently linked with a move to…

Devaney was a right-sided winger who could beat the opposition full-back and deliver a good cross. He described himself as "a tricky and quick player who has a will-to-win".

Barnsley

Devaney joined the coaching staff at Barnsley in 2015 and was put in charge of the Under-23s in February 2018 after stepping up from leading the Under-18s. He was linked with the vacant manager's job at Morecambe in October 2019. On 24 April 2022, following the sacking of Poya Asbaghi, Devaney was appointed as caretaker manager for the rest of the season. With relegation from the Championship already confirmed, Barnsley lost their final three games. Former teammate Michael Duff was appointed as the club's new manager in July and he named Devaney as part of his backroom staff. He was named as an assistant head coach by new head coach Neill Collins in July 2023. On 22 April 2024, Devaney was once again appointed caretaker manager of Barnsley after Collins was sacked. The club had one game left to play of the 2023–24 campaign, needing victory to secure a place in the League One play-offs. The match was drawn, though Barnsley qualified regardless, owing to results elsewhere going their way. The first leg of the semi-final was a 3–1 home defeat to Bolton Wanderers and they were eliminated from the play-offs despite going on to win the away leg. He returned to an assistant role under new head coach Darrell Clarke in May 2024. Conor Hourihane was put in caretaker charge when Clarke was sacked in March 2025, with Devaney in an assistant role. Hourihane was named as Clarke's permanent successor the following month and Devaney subsequently left the club.

Port…

Martin Thomas Devaney was born on 1 June 1980 in Cheltenham, England. His mother came from the Foxrock area on the southside of Dublin, Ireland and his father came from Ballina, County Mayo, Ireland. He hoped to represent the Republic of Ireland national football team, though never was called up due to the side's strength in the 2000s. He did, though, represent Ireland at under-16 level. He attended Balcarras School in Charlton Kings, Cheltenham and played youth-team football for Charlton Rovers. His son, Jacob, was called up to the Republic of Ireland U19 squad in September 2024 after coming through the Manchester United Academy.