John Devine (footballer)
| Personal information | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Full name | John Anthony Devine | ||
| Date of birth | 11 November 1958 | ||
| Place of birth | Dublin, Republic of Ireland | ||
| Playing position | Right back / Midfielder | ||
| Senior career* | |||
| Years | Team | Apps | (Gls) |
| 1978–1983 | Arsenal | 112 | (0) |
| 1983–1985 | Norwich City | 53 | (3) |
| 1985–1986 | Stoke City | 15 | (1) |
| 1987–1988 | East Bengal | 18 | (1) |
| 1988–1989 | IK Start | 6 | (2) |
| 1989–1991 | Shamrock Rovers | 41 | (7) |
| Total | 245 | (14) | |
| National team | |||
| 1979–1984 | Republic of Ireland | 13 | (0) |
| 1978–1979 | Republic of Ireland U21 | 2 | (0) |
| * Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only. |
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John Anthony Devine (born 11 November 1958) is an Irish former footballer and manager/coach.
Devine began his career with English club Arsenal along with a number of fellow Irish apprentices, He progressed through the youth ranks at Highbury and played in the 1980 FA Cup Final defeat against West Ham United. In 1983, he signed for Norwich City. He spent two years at Carrow Road making 69 appearances and was an unused substitute in the 1985 Football League Cup Final. In the summer of 1985 he signed for Stoke City but after making 16 appearances he broke his leg ending his professional career. He later spent time abroad playing in Norway for IK Start and in India with East Bengal. He returned to Ireland to coach for Shelbourne and was later head coach of Sporting Fingal.
Born in Dublin, Devine joined London club Arsenal in November 1974 as an apprentice. Part of a large young Irish contingent at Arsenal (which also included Liam Brady, David O'Leary and Frank Stapleton), Devine turned professional in 1976. A full back who preferred playing on the right, he made his debut for the Gunners on 22 April 1978 in place of Pat Rice.
With the older Rice and Sammy Nelson occupying the Arsenal full back positions of the time, Devine didn't break into the first team straight away, although he did play in the 1980 FA Cup Final defeat against West Ham United in preference to Nelson, Devine was also a member the Arsenal squad for the Gunners' Cup Winners Cup final against Valencia. After Rice left for Watford in the summer of 1980, Devine stepped up to become Arsenal's regular right-back, playing 44 times in 1980–81. However, his tenure there didn't last, after Devine was out of the side with a serious injury, John Hollins was moved back into defence as cover, and Devine could not reclaim his place once he had regained fitness.
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