Paul Devlin (footballer)

Devlin was born and raised in the Erdington district of Birmingham and attended Perry Common Comprehensive School.{{cite web |url=https://www.footiemag.net/essfa/about_us.asp?id=3 |title=About us: History |publisher=Aston, Erdington, Saltley & Sutton Schools' Football Association |access-date=13 October 2019}} After leaving school he trained as a chef in a hotel and on day release at college.{{cite web |url=https://joysandsorrows.co.uk/2010/02/joys-and-sorrows-speak-to-paul-devlin/ |title=Joys and Sorrows Speak to Paul Devlin |first=Kev |last=Ball |website=Joys and Sorrows |date=10 February 2010 |access-date=13 October 2016}} He played youth football for Boldmere St. Michaels, St John's Celtic and Tamworth before making 12 appearances for Tamworth's first team as a teenager.{{cite tweet |user=tamworthfc |number=1084022170588721153 |author=Tamworth Football Club |title=Lambs look back 2/2 The only other game in the last 50 years (other than that played this season) came in 2008/09 in the B'ham Senior Cup. It is notable for the appearance of Paul Devlin (for Stratford) 20ish years after he left the Lambs youth set up and the rest is history. |date=12 January 2019 |access-date=13 October 2019}}
{{cite news |url=https://www.business-live.co.uk/news/local-news/recovered-devlin-line-end-16-year-3977189 |title=Recovered Devlin in line to end 16-year Lambs' gap |first=Colin |last=Stoner |newspaper=Birmingham Post |date=12 September 2006 |page=26 |access-date=13 October 2019 |via=Business-Live.co.uk}} Released by Tamworth in 1990, Devlin joined Armitage 90 of the Staffordshire Senior League, but was not there long; in November, Conference club Stafford Rangers paid £2000 for his services, and a 40% sell-on clause was included in the deal.{{cite news |title=Sport in brief: Rangers on ball |first=Cliff |last=Mobbs |newspaper=Evening Mail |location=Sandwell |date=9 November 1990 |page=59 |quote=Stafford Rangers have signed Armitage 90 winger Paul Devlin, 18, for a four-figure fee and hope to have him registered in time to play in their big first round FA Cup tie against Burnley tomorrow week. It's another coup for the Staffs Senior League side who signed the goalscoring winger for nothing from Beazer Midland club Tamworth.}}{{cite news |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/120770494/stafford-rangers-reject-100000-for/ |title=Rangers boss turns down Anfield offer |newspaper=Lichfield Mercury |date=20 September 1991 |page=72 |via=Newspapers.com |quote=Stafford Rangers boss Chris Wright has turned down a £100,000 plus offer from Liverpool for former Armitage '90 striker Paul Devlin. Four other first division clubs are believed to be interested in the player, who scored the winner for Liverpool Reserves last week against Albion. As revealed by the Mercury last week Rangers will have to pay Armitage 40% of the transfer fee they get for Devlin. And the money will go towards more expansion plans at the Rugeley Road ground. The Midland Combination Club plan to build a stand in honour of the 18-year-old, whom they sold to Rangers for £2,000 last season. Rangers couldn't afford the fee Armitage were asking for Devlin and so agreed the 40% share terms.}} He made 24 appearances (19 starts) in the 1990–91 Conference,{{cite book |editor-first=John |editor-last=Harman |title=Alliance to Conference 1979–2004: The first 25 years |publisher=Tony Williams |date=2005 |isbn=978-1-869833-52-7 |pages=615, 621}} and attracted attention from teams at a rather higher level. A lengthy trial with League runners-up Liverpool brought an offer in excess of £100,000 from manager Graeme Souness in September 1991, but Stafford Rangers turned it down. Amid interest from other top-flight clubs, Devlin had a trial with Leeds United before, in February 1992, a £60,000 bid from Notts County was accepted.{{cite web |url=https://www.thenationalleague.org.uk/history-corner-looking-back-at-the-199192-season-47331 |title=History corner: looking back at the 1991/92 season |first=Steve |last=Whitney |publisher=The National League |date=7 March 2018 |access-date=13 October 2019}} He had scored 7 goals from 50 Conference matches over his 15-month spell.

The 19-year-old Devlin signed for the First Division club on 18 February 1992. By the time he made his Football League debut, starting in a 1–0 win at home to Coventry City on 11 April, County were well on the way to relegation. By his second and last appearance of the season, second-tier football for 1992–93 was confirmed. The following season, he was gradually eased into the first team: his first league appearance was as a substitute on 26 September, he made his first league start three days later, and he was more or less a first-team regular for the next couple of months, by which time County were firmly established in the relegation places. After Warnock was replaced by Mick Walker in January 1993, Devlin returned to the starting eleven and remained in it to the end of the season. He scored his first Football League goal in a 3–3 draw away to Grimsby Town on 27 February, and scored twice more to help the team retain their second-tier status with a 17th-place finish.

In the 1993–94 season, only two outfield players made more league appearances than Devlin's 41, as the team missed out on the play-offs by one position. They also reached the final of that season's Anglo-Italian Cup. Devlin scored against Southend United in the semi-final second leg to take the tie to penalties; County won the shootout, but lost to Brescia in the final.{{cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=oReKDwAAQBAJ&pg=PT195 |title=Cherry Picking: Life Between the Sticks |first1=Steve |last1=Cherry |first2=Jonathan |last2=Nicholas |publisher=Book Guild |location=Kibworth |date=2019 |isbn=978-1-912881-57-4 |page=195}}
{{cite news |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football-angloitalian-cup-final-county-s-charge-comes-too-late-brescia-s-wembley-victory-1430722.html |url-access=registration |title=Anglo-Italian Cup Final: County's charge comes too late: Brescia's Wembley victory |first=Owen |last=Slot |newspaper=The Independent |location=London |date=21 March 1994 |access-date=26 May 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210411091347/https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football-angloitalian-cup-final-county-s-charge-comes-too-late-brescia-s-wembley-victory-1430722.html |archive-date=11 April 2021 |url-status=live}} County struggled under a succession of managers in 1994–95. Victory in that season's Anglo-Italian Cup, in which Devon White's winning header against Ascoli came from Devlin's cross.{{cite news |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/white-lays-on-fillip-for-county-1612045.html |url-access=registration |title=White lays on fillip for County |newspaper=The Independent |location=London |date=20 March 1995 |access-date=25 May 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210411091350/https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/white-lays-on-fillip-for-county-1612045.html |archive-date=11 April 2021 |url-status=live}} preceded relegation to the third tier. Devlin was left out of the starting eleven towards the end of the season, which as the team's top scorer he found particularly frustrating, and submitted an unsuccessful transfer request;{{cite news |title=Vale park farewell for County striker? |newspaper=Staffordshire Sentinel |date=6 May 1995 |page=55 |quote='I have been toying with the idea of a second transfer request,' admitted Devlin. 'Being just in the squad hasn't satisfied me in any way – particularly when we haven't been scoring goals. ... It's made me feel I should get away. I'd be a liar to say the prospect of playing in Division Two wasn't a factor in the way I feel. But what's been happening to me personally hasn't been encouraging.'}} a second request was accepted.{{cite news |title=All change at Notts |newspaper=Mansfield & Ashfield Recorder |date=21 September 1995 |page=31}}

Following this second relegation, with the management under pressure to cut wages and generate income from transfers, there were several departures.{{cite book |first=Paul |last=Smith |title=Record Breakers: The Inside Story of Notts County's Momentous 1997/98 Title Triumph |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=fGhoDwAAQBAJ&pg=PT52 |date=2018 |publisher=Pitch Publishing |location=Durrington |isbn=978-1-78531-461-2 |pages=52–53}} Devlin stayed, under orders from manager Steve Thompson to learn patience{{snd}}"Devlin wants the ball and thinks he should have it all the time ... He's got to become less impatient when we don't get the ball out to him"{{cite news |title=Lund op – Hull move is on hold |newspaper=Mansfield & Ashfield Recorder |date=3 August 1995 |page=39}}{{snd}}and three months into the season, he had five league goals and Notts were third in the table. He remained in the team, and the team remained in contention for promotion, although his goalscoring tailed off. On 1 March 1996, Devlin and Andy Legg were sold to First Division club Birmingham City for £500,000 the pair;{{cite news |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/hoddles-move-for-wright-rejected-1339896.html |title=Hoddle's move for Wright rejected |first=Nick |last=Duxbury |newspaper=The Independent |location=London |date=2 March 1996 |access-date=26 May 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191016093436/https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/hoddles-move-for-wright-rejected-1339896.html |archive-date=16 October 2019 |url-access=registration |url-status=live}} both the "crowd favourites" were out of contract at the end of the season. Thompson pointed out that until his goal against AFC Bournemouth three days prior, Devlin had gone 13 matches without scoring, that he was a Birmingham boy who had been well aware of the club's interest in him, and that the whole fee would go towards strengthening the team.{{cite news |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/fry-boils-over-at-the-palace-1321705.html |title=Fry boils over at the Palace |newspaper=The Independent |location=London |date=29 February 1996 |access-date=26 May 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191016093432/https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/fry-boils-over-at-the-palace-1321705.html |archive-date=16 October 2019 |url-access=registration |url-status=live}}{{cite news |title=Thompson reveals the 'sell-off' policy |newspaper=Mansfield & Ashfield Recorder |date=7 March 1996 |page=43}}

Devlin scored twice against Wolverhampton Wanderers on 4 March to give his new team their first league win of the year,{{cite news |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football-wolves-undone-by-devlins-double-1340637.html |title=Wolves undone by Devlin's double |first=Phil |last=Shaw |newspaper=The Independent |location=London |date=6 March 1996 |access-date=26 May 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191016093408/https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football-wolves-undone-by-devlins-double-1340637.html |archive-date=16 October 2019 |url-access=registration |url-status=live}} and by the end of the season had taken his tally to seven from sixteen matches. When Trevor Francis replaced Barry Fry as manager, his high-profile signings included strikers Paul Furlong and Mike Newell at a cost of ten times the £225,000 that Fry paid for Devlin.{{cite news |url=http://docs.newsbank.com/openurl?ctx_ver=z39.88-2004&rft_id=info:sid/iw.newsbank.com:AWNB:LTIB&rft_val_format=info:ofi/fmt:kev:mtx:ctx&rft_dat=0F924BBC1019468B&svc_dat=InfoWeb:aggregated4&req_dat=0D0CB57AB53DF815 |url-access=subscription |title=Francis sees stock tumble among supporters |first=Richard |last=Hobson |newspaper=The Times |location=London |date=1 March 1997 |access-date=14 October 2019 |quote=Indeed, the most successful player this season has been Paul Devlin, who was signed by Barry Fry from Notts County for £225,000. Devlin was considering his own future at the start of the season when Francis signed Paul Furlong and Mike Newell to lead the forward line at a combined cost of £2.275 million. Neither comes close to matching Devlin's 16 goals.}} Nevertheless, Devlin played regularly, finished as top scorer with 16 league goals, 19 in total, and was chosen player of the season.{{cite news |url=https://link.gale.com/apps/doc/A60791223/GPS?u=wikipedia&sid=GPS&xid=6ff7de82 |url-access=subscription |title=Strolling players hitting a harsher note |first=Adrian |last=Milledge |newspaper=Birmingham Post |date=14 February 1998 |page=12 |via=Gale OneFile: News}}

He scored in each of the first three league matches the following season, but fell out with the manager. Amid much contradictory information and mutual recrimination,{{cite news |url=https://link.gale.com/apps/doc/A61066185/GPS?u=wikipedia&sid=GPS&xid=f4182e1c |url-access=subscription |title=Paul apart! |newspaper=The Mirror |date=6 October 1997 |page=16 |via=Gale OneFile: News |quote='Paul is a valuable member of my squad and I want him to stay. He is a good player and can get better, and it is my aim to help him progress.' Devlin's contract runs out next summer and he says he has refused new terms, not because of the money but because of the football situation. He claims: 'I don't think the manager truly rates me. I am the one who always seems to be substituted or left out, even when I have scored. I really feel I am being made the scapegoat.'}}{{cite news |url=https://link.gale.com/apps/doc/A110872041/GPS?u=wikipedia&sid=GPS&xid=15c981e1 |url-access=subscription |title=Devlin's outburst angers Francis |first=John |last=Drayton |newspaper=The Mirror |date=6 October 1997 |page=16 |via=Gale In Context: Biography |quote=Paul Devlin, Birmingham City's £2-million-rated striker, is facing the threat of disciplinary action after launching an amazing attack on manager Trevor Francis. Devlin was dismayed and disgusted by his treatment during the 1-0 win at Port Vale. Francis sent Devlin on as a first-half substitute but hauled him off again in the closing stages prompting a furious reaction from Devlin. Francis said: 'I cannot tolerate individuals behaving in that manner. I want to consider what has happened and I will decide on Monday what to do.' Devlin, who has insisted that he will not sign a new contract with Birmingham, said: 'I am totally devastated and from a personal point of view I don't know where I go from here.'}} Devlin was used increasingly as a substitute, and made his last league appearance on 13 December. Francis dropped him to the reserves after his refusal to agree a new contract and what the Birmingham Post dubbed "a catalogue of tantrum-throwing", preferring the pacy Nicky Forster to partner Furlong. Soon afterwards, Devlin gave up his Sports Argus newspaper column to team-mate Ian Bennett, who wrote that "because of [Devlin's] current situation at the club it became increasingly difficult [for him] to write about the goings on".{{cite news |url=https://link.gale.com/apps/doc/A60861683/GPS?u=wikipedia&sid=GPS&xid=30aabb9d |url-access=subscription |title=Super seven show |first=Ian |last=Bennett |newspaper=Sports Argus |location=Birmingham |date=17 January 1998 |page=18 |via=Gale OneFile: News}} Out of contract at the end of the season, his valuation dropped systematically as the season wore on,{{cite news |url=https://link.gale.com/apps/doc/A60850796/GPS?u=wikipedia&sid=GPS&xid=414bbe5a |url-access=subscription |title=Francis left with trusty strike duo to find gold |first=Michael |last=Ward |newspaper=Birmingham Post |date=10 January 1998 |page=13 |via=Gale OneFile: News |quote=But Paul Devlin, who also scored in the Pontins League match, is not even in the frame after finding out this week that the manager had further slashed his sale price from £600,000 to £400,000.}} and he was finally sold to divisional rivals Sheffield United in March 1998 for an initial £200,000, an additional £50,000 contingent on promotion,{{cite news |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/education/education-news/football-robson-makes-a-move-for-gascoigne-1150208.html |title=Robson makes a move for Gascoigne |newspaper=The Independent |location=London |date=14 March 1998 |access-date=25 May 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210603092125/https://www.independent.co.uk/news/education/education-news/football-robson-makes-a-move-for-gascoigne-1150208.html |archive-date=3 June 2021 |url-access=registration |url-status=live}} and a 15% sell-on clause. Devlin said he was sad to leave, and felt that had the manager rated him, he "wouldn't have been forced out and made to train with the reserves and kids for the last few months. Money wasn't the issue"; Francis suggested that Sheffield United were "one of the few clubs who have the capacity to pay out the sort of salary that attracts Paul."{{cite news |url=https://link.gale.com/apps/doc/A60920546/GPS?u=wikipedia&sid=GPS&xid=97d634c1 |url-access=subscription |title=Bitter Devlin blasts Francis over sale |newspaper=Birmingham Evening Mail |date=14 March 1998 |page=43 |via=Gale OneFile: News}}

Devlin began his Sheffield United career working under Steve Thompson, his last manager at Notts County. He made a string of substitute appearances before his full debut on 13 April in a 1–1 draw away to Swindon Town, and scored his first goal in a 3–3 draw at Tranmere Rovers. He was cup-tied for the team's run to the FA Cup semi-final,{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/sport/football/66393.stm |title=West Ham bid to finish off Arsenal in Cup |work=BBC News |date=17 March 1998 |access-date=16 October 2019}}
{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/sport/football/74270.stm |title=Shearer blunts Blades |work=BBC News |date=7 April 1998 |access-date=16 October 2019}} but started both legs of the play-offs, in which they lost to Sunderland on aggregate after Lionel Perez made a "truly world-class save to thwart Paul Devlin's piledriver from {{convert|15|yards|abbr=out}}" before recovering to save a follow-up header.{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/sport/football/93239.stm |title=Charlton and Sunderland make it to Wembley |work=BBC News |date=16 May 1998 |access-date=16 October 2019}}

Devlin showed himself to be a hard-working player, but with a habit of getting booked, picking up 11 yellow cards in his first season with the club. He notched 24 goals in his 145 games for the club. November 1998 briefly saw him loaned back to Notts County where he played a further five times.

He was chosen as Sheffield United's Player of the Year for 1999–2000.

Despite having signed a four-year contract during the 2000–01 season, Devlin asked for a pay rise in September 2001, and submitted a transfer request when he was turned down. He was dropped to the reserves, and suggested that he was being made a scapegoat.{{cite news |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/competitions/championship/3013028/Nicholson-returns-to-haunt-Stockport.html |title=Nicholson returns to haunt Stockport |first=Ron |last=Gubba |newspaper=Daily Telegraph |location=London |date=18 September 2001 |access-date=29 October 2019}}
{{cite news |url=https://link.gale.com/apps/doc/A78700819/GPS?u=wikipedia&sid=GPS&xid=478b1595 |title=Nationwide League second division club-by-club guide |first=Gary |last=Jacob |newspaper=The Times |location=London |date=27 September 2001 |page=4 |access-date=29 October 2019 |url-access=subscription |via=Gale Academic OneFile}} After Birmingham City's approach to take him on loan was rejected, Devlin told the media how he "would walk over broken glass to come back."{{cite news |url=https://link.gale.com/apps/doc/A79505210/GPS?u=wikipedia&sid=GPS&xid=b44b3ebc |title=Devlin desperate for Blues return |first=Colin |last=Tattum |newspaper=Birmingham Evening Mail |date=26 October 2001 |page=95 |access-date=29 October 2019 |url-access=subscription |via=Gale OneFile: News}} Although he believed that Steve Bruce, who had tried to sign him for Crystal Palace, would do so again once his appointment as Birmingham manager was made official, and a deal was reportedly in place with a £400,000 fee agreed,{{cite news |url=https://link.gale.com/apps/doc/A80647395/GPS?u=wikipedia&sid=GPS&xid=97455957 |title=Nationwide League first division guide |first=Peter |last=Lansley |newspaper=The Times |location=London |date=7 December 2001 |page=4 |access-date=29 October 2019 |url-access=subscription |via=Gale Academic OneFile}}
{{cite news |url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2001/dec/05/newsstory.sport |title=Reyna ready to join Reid for £4.75m |first=Michael |last=Walker |newspaper=The Guardian |location=London |date=5 December 2001 |access-date=29 October 2019}} this did not initially happen, and there was speculation that the club were reluctant to sanction signing another ageing player.{{cite news |url=http://www.birminghammail.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/paul-devlin-nearly-didnt-return-8649257 |title=Paul Devlin: I nearly didn't return to Birmingham City |first=Brian |last=Dick |newspaper=Birmingham Mail |date=16 February 2015 |access-date=29 October 2019}}

In early February 2002, Devlin signed for Birmingham City on a month's loan, while Paul Furlong made a similar move in the other direction.{{cite news |url=https://link.gale.com/apps/doc/A184530902/GPS?u=wikipedia&sid=GPS&xid=ff6b8e1b |title=Striker hunt ends as United complete Devlin-Furlong swap |newspaper=The Star |location=Sheffield |date=5 February 2002 |access-date=29 October 2019 |url-access=subscription |via=Gale OneFile: News}} Devlin's loan was extended to three months, during which he made 11 appearances, scored once, an equaliser as Birmingham came back from two goals down to draw with top-of-the-table Wolverhampton Wanderers, and helped the team finish in the play-off positions;{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_div_1/1860031.stm |title=Wolves go top |publisher=BBC Sport |date=9 March 2002 |access-date=29 October 2019}} he signed a three-year permanent contract in May.{{cite news |url=http://www.espnfc.com/england/news/2002/0509/sheffutd_20020509_devlincompletesbirminghamswitch.html |title=Devlin seals Birmingham move |website=ESPN Soccernet |date=9 May 2002 |access-date=29 October 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191012140552/http://www.espnfc.com/england/news/2002/0509/sheffutd_20020509_devlincompletesbirminghamswitch.html |archive-date=12 October 2019}} Devlin converted his kick in the penalty shoot-out in the play-off final against Norwich City by which Birmingham gained promotion to the Premier League.{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_div_1/1979806.stm |title=Birmingham reach Premiership |publisher=BBC Sport |date=12 May 2002 |access-date=29 October 2019}}

Devlin was sent off for violent conduct during a pre-season friendly in Scotland; because the referee reported the incident to the Football Association, he was suspended for the first three matches of the new season.{{cite news |url=https://www.breakingnews.ie/sport/soccer/birmingham-appeal-over-devlins-suspension-61240.html |title=Birmingham appeal over Devlin's suspension |website=BreakingNews.ie |date=25 July 2002 |access-date=29 October 2019}}
{{cite news |url=http://www.espnfc.com/england/2000/20020824/reports/54427_pre.html |title=Match Preview: Birmingham – Blackburn |website=ESPN Soccernet |date=24 August 2002 |access-date=29 October 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191029213934/http://www.espnfc.com/england/2000/20020824/reports/54427_pre.html |archive-date=29 October 2019}} He was selected to start the next, against Leeds United, and after 31 minutes, scored Birmingham's first Premier League goal at their St Andrew's ground with "a sweet right-foot shot that flew beyond [Paul] Robinson from {{convert|25|yards|m|abbr=out}}". The 2–1 win was their first in the Premier League.{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_prem/2224498.stm |title=Birmingham topple Leeds |publisher=BBC Sport |date=31 August 2002 |access-date=29 October 2019}} Devlin made 32 league appearances that season, of which 20 were in the starting eleven, and scored three goals. In October 2002, he received his first call-up to the Scotland squad, and was capped ten times while a Birmingham player.{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/internationals/scotland/2294421.stm |title=Devlin proud to be a Scot |publisher=BBC Sport |date=2 October 2002 |access-date=30 October 2019}}{{cite web |url=http://www.watfordfcarchive.co.uk/downloads/players/+Cullip-Dickson.pdf |title=Cullip to Dickson |website=Watford Football Club archive 1881–2017 |access-date=26 May 2022}}

New arrivals including Argentina international Luciano Figueroa, top scorer in the 2002–03 Clausura, and club-record signing David Dunn pushed Devlin down the pecking order. He made only two substitute appearances in the first month of the season, and was omitted from a matchday squad for the first time since his return to the club. Although he felt he could still contribute at Premier League level, and Bruce did not want him to go, Devlin believed he needed regular football to stand a chance of representing Scotland at Euro 2004.{{cite news |url=https://link.gale.com/apps/doc/A106640959/GPS?u=wikipedia&sid=GPS&xid=36ccf2d5 |title=I can still do a job for Blues – Devlin |first=Ian |last=Clarkson |newspaper=Sunday Mercury |location=Birmingham |date=17 August 2003 |access-date=30 October 2019 |url-access=subscription |via=Gale OneFile: News}}
{{cite news |url=https://link.gale.com/apps/doc/A107740126/GPS?u=wikipedia&sid=GPS&xid=92c309e2 |title=Devlin: I'll miss Blues |first=Colin |last=Tattum |newspaper=Birmingham Evening Mail |date=13 September 2003 |access-date=30 October 2019 |url-access=subscription |via=Gale OneFile: News}}

In September 2003, Devlin turned down an initial loan move to West Ham United in favour of a three-year contract with First Division Watford, managed by Ray Lewington, who were in need of a winger after the death of Jimmy Davis. Devlin's wages and the £150,000 fee were funded on behalf of the financially struggling club by a "mystery benefactor", who was later confirmed to be former chairman Sir Elton John.{{cite news |url=https://www.skysports.com/football/news/11686/2275833/hornets-capture-devlin |title=Hornets capture Devlin |first=Alex |last=Livie |publisher=Sky Sports |date=12 September 2003 |access-date=18 October 2019}}
{{cite web |url=https://www.investegate.co.uk/article.aspx?id=200611231630246301M |title=Watford Leisure PLC Announcements: Preliminary results |publisher=Watford Leisure PLC |via=FE Investegate |date=23 November 2006 |access-date=18 October 2019}}{{cite news |url=https://www.watfordobserver.co.uk/sport/4883876.paul-devlin-speaks-about-time-at-watford-and-sheffield-united-ahead-of-tonights-clash/ |title=Paul Devlin speaks about time at Watford and Sheffield United ahead of tonight's clash |first=Joe |last=Whitbread |newspaper=Watford Observer |date=2 February 2010 |access-date=18 October 2019}} He was sent off before half-time for two mistimed tackles in his second match, which Watford lost to a late Derby County goal,{{cite news |url=https://www.watfordobserver.co.uk/sport/413826.late-strike-sinks-watford/ |title=Late strike sinks Watford |first=Anthony |last=Matthews |newspaper=Watford Observer |date=19 September 2003 |access-date=18 October 2019}} but by the end of the campaign, in which the team finished 16th, no outfield player had made more appearances.{{cite web |url=http://www.watfordfcarchive.co.uk/downloads/seasons/Seasons2000to2010.pdf |title=2000/01 to 2009/10 |website=Watford Football Club archive 1881–2017 |page=4 |access-date=26 May 2022}} Writing on Watford fansite Blind Stupid and Desperate, Matt Rowson highlighted how Devlin's "experience, aggression, and tricksiness was employed to the irritation of opponents who regularly paid the compliment of double-marking him", but also thought him "Not the player to misplace or mistime a pass to, one suspects, nor a player that many referees look forward to officiating."{{cite web |url=http://www.bsad.org/colinwho/devlin1.html |title=Player profiles: Paul Devlin |first=Matt |last=Rowson |website=Blind Stupid and Desperate |date=May 2004 |access-date=18 October 2019}}

Away to Preston North End on the opening day of the 2004–05 season, Devlin scored an equaliser early in the second half and created chances for others, but gave away the penalty with which Preston won the match.{{cite news |url=https://www.watfordobserver.co.uk/sport/516662.beaten-hornets-let-opportunity-slip/ |title=Beaten Hornets let opportunity slip |first=Anthony |last=Matthews |newspaper=Watford Observer |date=7 August 2004 |access-date=18 October 2019}} He continued in the starting eleven until suffering a hamstring strain during a match in mid-September that was expected to keep him out for a month, but he aggravated the injury and only resumed a place on the bench at the end of November.{{cite news |url=https://www.watfordobserver.co.uk/sport/528773.devlin-set-for-spell-on-sidelines/ |title=Devlin set for spell on sidelines |newspaper=Watford Observer |date=17 September 2004 |access-date=18 October 2019}}
{{cite news |url=https://www.watfordobserver.co.uk/sport/549870.hammers-end-hornets-run/ |title=Hammers end Hornets' run |first=Anthony |last=Matthews |newspaper=Watford Observer |date=27 November 2004 |access-date=18 October 2019}}{{cite web |url=http://www.icons.com/devlin/diary.html |title=I'm backing Berti |first=Paul |last=Devlin |website=Icons.com |date=12 October 2004 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20041112063043/http://www.icons.com/devlin/diary.html?1 |archive-date=12 November 2004}} He took his appearance tally to 23 before a toe injury that required surgery kept him out for the rest of the season.

While Devlin was out injured, Lewington was replaced by Aidy Boothroyd, under whose management the team avoided relegation. He saw enough in the player to retain his services and select him from the start of the 2005–06 season. He made 23 appearances, scoring twice, before being told that Chris Eagles was coming in to take over his position and he could leave on a free transfer. Although Devlin understood why Boothroyd would want "a young, exciting winger from Manchester United rather than a 33 year old with no resale value", he was disappointed with the decision.

Keen to return to the West Midlands for family reasons,{{cite news |url=https://www.birminghammail.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/devlin-seeks-move-home-18498 |title=Devlin seeks move home |first=Colin |last=Tattum |newspaper=Birmingham Mail |date=6 January 2006 |access-date=23 November 2019}} Devlin signed for League One club Walsall in mid-January 2006 for the rest of the season.{{cite news |url=https://www.birminghammail.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/devlin-puts-walsall-first-18960 |title=Devlin puts Walsall first |first=Brian |last=Halford |newspaper=Birmingham Mail |date=19 January 2006 |access-date=23 November 2019}} He strained a calf on his debut, and was then sent off for elbowing an opponent when he returned to the team against Scunthorpe United in mid-February.{{cite news |url=https://www.business-live.co.uk/news/local-news/devlin-seeks-stability-self-walsall-3987283 |title=Devlin seeks stability for self and Walsall |newspaper=Birmingham Post |date=24 February 2006 |access-date=23 November 2019 |via=BusinessLive}} In his next match after serving a three-match ban, he scored in a 1–1 draw with Swansea City.{{cite news |url=https://www.birminghammail.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/late-leveller-so-hard-to-take---20627 |title=Late leveller so hard to take – Devlin |first=Brian |last=Halford |newspaper=Birmingham Mail |date=13 March 2006 |access-date=23 November 2019}} With five matches left of Walsall's ultimately unsuccessful struggle against relegation, after being left on the bench by manager Kevan Broadhurst, Devlin requested and was granted release from his contract.{{cite news |url=https://www.birminghammail.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/unsettled-devlin-quits-saddlers-21630 |title=Unsettled Devlin quits Saddlers |first=Brian |last=Halford |newspaper=Birmingham Mail |date=14 April 2006 |access-date=23 November 2019}}

Devlin had considered retirement after leaving Walsall but was persuaded by Gareth Farrelly to join Bohemians, of which he was player-manager, until the end of the League of Ireland season.{{cite news |url=https://www.birminghammail.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/walsall-can-bounce-back---24701 |title=Walsall can bounce back – Devlin |first=Brian |last=Halford |newspaper=Birmingham Mail |date=28 July 2006 |access-date=13 October 2019}} He made his debut as a second-half substitute against Derry City on 7 July, started the next seven matches, scored once, from the penalty spot in a 3–0 win away to Bray Wanderers, and left Bohemians in late August after Farrelly was dismissed.

On his return to England, Devlin rejoined Tamworth, some 16 years after leaving the club.{{cite news |url=https://www.business-live.co.uk/news/local-news/non-league-lamb-scotland-back-again-3976989 |title=Non-league: From the lamb to Scotland and back again for Devlin |newspaper=Birmingham Post |date=8 September 2006 |access-date=13 October 2019 |via=Business-Live.co.uk}} After a wait for international clearance that manager Mark Cooper claimed would not have happened were Tamworth a bigger club,{{cite news |url=https://link.gale.com/apps/doc/A151432144/GPS?u=wikipedia&sid=GPS&xid=a06eea37 |url-access=subscription |title=Cooper up in arms at Dev delay |first=Nick |last=Pullen |newspaper=Birmingham Mail |date=15 September 2006 |page=107 |via=Gale OneFile: News}} Devlin played in four Conference matches and then left by mutual consent, as he was unable to commit the necessary time to training and particularly to travelling.{{cite news |url=https://link.gale.com/apps/doc/A152398265/GPS?u=wikipedia&sid=GPS&xid=3e729097 |url-access=subscription |title=Travel-weary Devlin makes Coles Lane switch |first=Nick |last=Pullen |newspaper=Birmingham Post |date=6 October 2006 |page=30 |via=Gale OneFile: News}}

After a brief stint with Sutton Coldfield Town of the Southern League Division One Midlands, Devlin moved up a level with Halesowen Town in February 2007.{{cite news |url=https://www.stourbridgenews.co.uk/news/1213548.last-gasp-loss/ |title=Last gasp loss |newspaper=Stourbridge News |date=22 February 2007 |access-date=1 November 2019}} He scored 11 goals from 31 appearances in all competitions.{{cite web |url=http://www.yeltzarchives.com/history/club-history/home/351.html?task=view |title=Player database: D |website=Yeltz Archives |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190611002411/http://www.yeltzarchives.com/history/club-history/home/351.html?task=view |archive-date=11 June 2019}} He was released in January 2008 to join another Southern League Premier club, Rugby Town, as player-assistant manager,{{cite news |url=https://www.stourbridgenews.co.uk/news/1944121.devlin-in-yeltz-exit/ |title=Devlin in Yeltz exit |newspaper=Stourbridge News |date=4 January 2008 |access-date=1 November 2019}}
{{cite news |url=https://www.coventrytelegraph.net/sport/football/football-news/paul-devlin-links-up-rugby-3102602 |title=Paul Devlin links up with Rugby Town |newspaper=Coventry Telegraph |date=10 January 2008 |access-date=1 November 2019}} a role he left for personal reasons after little more than a week.{{cite news |url=https://www.coventrytelegraph.net/sport/other-sport/paul-devlin-leaves-rugby-town-3102954 |title=Paul Devlin leaves Rugby Town after only a week |newspaper=Coventry Telegraph |date=22 January 2008 |access-date=1 November 2019}}

Devlin was playing veterans' football before rejoining Sutton Coldfield Town at the end of March. It was the fourth time he had returned to a former club, the previous three being Notts County, Birmingham City and Tamworth. He scored a last-minute equaliser in his first game,{{cite news |url=https://www.birminghammail.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/sutton-coldfield-town-sign-paul-60958 |title=Sutton Coldfield Town sign Paul Devlin |newspaper=Birmingham Mail |date=1 April 2008 |access-date=1 November 2019}} but that proved to be his final appearance. Although he signed on for the 2008–09 season, he left before it started.{{cite news |url=https://www.birminghammail.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/sutton-sell-justin-rowe-to-halesowen-65039 |title=Sutton sell Justin Rowe to Halesowen |newspaper=Birmingham Mail |date=19 June 2008 |access-date=1 November 2019}}{{cite news |url=https://www.birminghammail.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/highs-and-lows-for-sutton-coldfield-town-68230 |title=Highs and lows for Sutton Coldfield Town |newspaper=Birmingham Mail |date=22 August 2008 |access-date=1 November 2019}}

He signed for Stratford Town in October 2008, marking his debut with the equalising goal in a 2–2 draw with Rocester.{{cite news |url=http://www.thisisstaffordshire.co.uk/uttoxeter/sport/Blues-striker-shows-class-late-strike-deny-Rocester-away-win/article-425901-detail/article.html |title=Former Blues striker shows his class with a late strike to deny Rocester away win |newspaper=Uttoxeter Post & Times |date=27 October 2008 |access-date=5 November 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110807143113/http://www.thisisstaffordshire.co.uk/Blues-striker-shows-class-late-strike-deny-Rocester-away-win/story-12560547-detail/story.html |archive-date=7 August 2011}} By the end of January 2009, he had made nine appearances in all competitions, of which six were in the Midland Alliance (scoring twice),{{cite magazine |magazine=Official Programme 2008/09 |title=2008/2009 Town Appearances/Goalscorers |publisher=Stratford Town F.C. |date=31 January 2009 |edition=Oldbury United}} and remained on their books until at least February 2009.{{cite news |url=https://www.birminghammail.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/steve-palmer-vies-for-place-in-stratford-83815 |title=Steve Palmer vies for place in Stratford Town's last-16 FA Vase tie |newspaper=Birmingham Mail |date=31 January 2009 |access-date=1 November 2019}} After a lengthy break during which he played veterans' football, he joined Romulus of the Northern Premier League Division One South in June 2012.{{cite news |url=http://www.nonleaguedaily.com/news/index.php?&newsmode=FULL&nid=85851 |title=Devlin coup for Romulus |website=NonLeagueDaily |access-date=12 October 2012 |date=29 June 2012 |url-status=usurped |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130130051848/http://www.nonleaguedaily.com/news/index.php?&newsmode=FULL&nid=85851 |archive-date=30 January 2013}} In 2018, Devlin was playing Sunday league for Monica Star; among his team-mates were fellow former Premier League and international players, Darren Byfield, Lee Carsley and Lee Hendrie.{{cite web |url=https://www.givemesport.com/1317018-meet-the-sunday-league-team-who-have-four-former-premier-league-players-in-their-side |title=Meet the Sunday League team who have four former Premier League players in their side |first=Rob |last=Swan |website=GiveMeSport.com |date=20 May 2018 |access-date=1 November 2019}}

Although born in Birmingham, England,{{Hugman|5073|access-date=12 October 2019}} Devlin qualified to play for the Scotland team because his father was born in Coatbridge.{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/internationals/scotland/2294421.stm |title=Devlin proud to be a Scot |publisher=BBC Sport |date=2 October 2002 |access-date=12 October 2019}} At the age of 30, he made his debut in a friendly against Canada on 15 October 2002.{{cite web |url=https://www.scottishfa.co.uk/players/?pid=37115 |title=Paul Devlin |publisher=Scottish Football Association |access-date=12 October 2019}} After his home debut, against the Republic of Ireland at Hampden Park, Devlin said: "Playing at Hampden has always been a dream of mine and to finally achieve that made the match the proudest night of my career. I had 30-odd people in the stand watching me and it cost me an absolute fortune to make sure they could all be here. There were 23 of the clan from up here and a further seven flew up from down south."{{cite news |url=http://sport.scotsman.com/sport/Devlins-delight-at-Hampden-debut.2402005.jp |title=Devlin's delight at Hampden debut |first=Graeme |last=Croser |newspaper=the Scotsman |date=13 February 2003 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110617063024/http://sport.scotsman.com/sport/Devlins-delight-at-Hampden-debut.2402005.jp |archive-date=17 June 2011}}

His tenth and last cap was on 6 September 2003 against the Faroe Islands in a Euro 2004 qualifier. All ten senior appearances were made while Devlin was a Premier League player for Birmingham. He also played once for Scotland B, in a 2–1 win against Northern Ireland B in May 2003 in which the first Scottish goal came following Devlin's free kick.{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/internationals/northern_ireland/3042623.stm |title=Scottish second string win |publisher=BBC Sport |date=20 May 2003 |access-date=14 October 2019}}

{{notelist}}

• List of Scotland international footballers born outside Scotland

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Category:1972 births

Category:Living people

Category:People from Erdington

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