Martin Devaney

Martin Devaney is a seasoned football coach and former professional player, transitioning from a notable playing career to impactful coaching roles, including caretaker manager positions at Barnsley and coaching roles at Port Vale. After making his Football League debut with Cheltenham Town in 1999, Martin Devaney quickly established himself as a formidable forward. During his six seasons at the club, he scored an impressive 43 goals across 227 league and cup appearances. His tenure included several significant milestones, such as scoring Cheltenham Town’s first-ever Football League hat-trick in 2000.

He remained a key player for Barnsley for six seasons, accumulating 18 goals in 176 matches. During the 2007–08 season, Devaney was instrumental in the club’s memorable FA Cup run, which included significant victories against Premier League giants Liverpool and Chelsea, ultimately reaching the semi-finals. Following his impactful time at Barnsley, Devaney concluded his distinguished playing career with spells at Tranmere Rovers, Bohemians, Kidderminster Harriers, Hyde United, and Worcester City. Transitioning from player to coach, Devaney rejoined Barnsley in 2015, taking on an academy coach role.

His commitment to professional football development continued as he embraced a new challenge, joining Port Vale as a first-team coach in July 2025. This move underscores Devaney’s ongoing dedication to shaping and developing high-performance teams within the professional football landscape, leveraging his extensive experience as both a successful player and a proven coach.