John Devine

John Anthony Devine (born 11 November 1958) is an Irish former football player and 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. He later spent time abroad playing in Norway for IK Start and in India with East Bengal before returning home in 1989 to play for Shamrock Rovers. After his playing career he coached Shelbourne and was later head coach of Sporting Fingal.

Playing career 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.

He joined Norwich City in the summer of 1983 and played 69 games in two seasons for the "Canaries", and was a member of the squad in the 1985 League Cup final win. He was in East Bengal's 1987 All Airlines Gold Cup and 1988 Calcutta Football League winning squad. Thus he became one of the greatest foreign recruits in the history of the club.

International career Devine was capped for the Republic of Ireland at every level, winning thirty caps in all, with thirteen of those coming for the senior side. He made his senior debut on 26 September 1979 against Czechoslovakia, and his last cap came against Norway on 17 October 1984. He never played in a World Cup or European Championship finals, as Ireland did not qualify for any tournaments during that time, although most of his caps were won in European and World Cup Qualifying games.

Coaching career He became head coach and then caretaker manager at Shelbourne after Eamonn Gregg was sacked in November 1994. Devine was head coach at Sporting Fingal for three seasons from 2008 to 2011, during which time the Club won promotion two years in succession and won the 2009 FAI Cup final against Sligo Rovers. He worked for 10 years at Manchester United's academy as the club's Irish Academy director.

Career statistics Club

International

Honours As player Arsenal FA Cup runner-up: 1979–80 UEFA Cup Winners' Cup runner-up: 1979–80

Norwich City Football League Cup: 1984–85

IK Start 2. divisjon: 1988

Shamrock Rovers FAI Cup runner-up: 1991

East Bengal Calcutta Football League: 1988 All Airlines Gold Cup: 1987

As head coach Sporting Fingal FAI Cup: 2009