York City contract in the offing for former Barnsley winger (From York Press)
Get in touch: send your photos, videos, news & views by texting YORK to 80360 or send an email»
York City contract in the offing for former Barnsley winger Martin Devaney
11:50am Tuesday 22nd January 2013 in Sport
By Dave Flett, Sports reporter
FORMER Barnsley and Cheltenham winger Martin Devaney could earn himself a contract with York City if he impresses during today’s scheduled behind-closed-doors reserve match against Scunthorpe.
Devaney, 32, has been playing for Bohemians in Dublin since his release from League One Tranmere at the end of last season.
He had previously spent six years at Oakwell, where he plied his trade in the Championship and was instrumental in FA Cup victories over Liverpool and Chelsea.
City boss Gary Mills has now handed the former Coventry City apprentice a chance to resurrect his career during a trial at Bootham Crescent, saying: “Martin is an experienced wide striker.
“He will play for us today if the game goes ahead and he’s here with a view to looking at him and taking him on. He’s been with us for a week, but it’s been a bit of a nightmare because we haven’t been able to train properly due to the weather so we’re desperate to get this game on.
“He’s done fantastically well in his career and has still got lots to offer. He’s a fit, fit lad and isn’t tied up anywhere.
“He’s available and still hungry to do well at 32, so there’s a good possibility he could join us.”
Devaney has arrived at Bootham Crescent at an opportune time with attacking wide men Ashley Chambers and Michael Coulson both crocked.
Injury-plagued Oli Johnson has also not featured in City’s first team since the FA Cup exit at AFC Wimbledon in mid-November and, in total, the former Norwich and Yeovil has been limited to just one start and six substitute appearances since his summer switch from Oxford.
But, due to the absence of Chambers and Coulson, Johnson could now receive a quick recall if he can prove he has put a catalogue of niggling injuries behind him against Scunthorpe.
Providing he comes through unscathed, Mills is planning to take Johnson to Gillingham for Saturday’s League Two clash at Priestfield with the City boss adding: “I thought it was Christmas again when I saw Oli Johnson training and it’s great to have him back.
“He’s had a horrendous time since coming to the club with injuries but he trained really well last week and is looking like the player I brought here in July. There’s an opportunity for him if he gets fitter and sharper because of where we are player-wise at the moment.
“Ash Chambers will be out for four to six weeks, Michael Coulson is unlikely to play any part in the rest of the season and Jamie Reed could be departing at some stage. I know Oli can play – there’s no two ways about that – and I hope I can get the best out of him for the next three months.”
Centre-back Chris Doig has not recovered from an ankle injury, however, meaning he is ruled out of today’s reserve clash.
Comments(19)
Tug job
says...
1:00pm Tue 22 Jan 13
old_school_minsterman
says...
1:00pm Tue 22 Jan 13
He did have a decent scoring record from midfield at Cheltenham though so we may get something from him.
redbluelion
says...
1:33pm Tue 22 Jan 13
kirkbride1979
says...
1:54pm Tue 22 Jan 13
redbluelion wrote:I think they wanted him to play another reserve match before taking him on
what about the irish striker who's meant to be signing for us..he should have been here by now..
openallhours
says...
2:55pm Tue 22 Jan 13
'City looking at 30+ winger currently without a club'.
He hasn't had a club since the end of last season :(
nomadic85
says...
3:04pm Tue 22 Jan 13
openallhours wrote:Yes he has. Do your research
Nice headline from the press, but a more accurate headline would be; 'City looking at 30+ winger currently without a club'. He hasn't had a club since the end of last season :(
RooBeck
says...
3:11pm Tue 22 Jan 13
openallhours
says...
3:12pm Tue 22 Jan 13
nomadic85 wrote:Sorry, I meant to say an English football league club.
openallhours wrote: Nice headline from the press, but a more accurate headline would be; 'City looking at 30+ winger currently without a club'. He hasn't had a club since the end of last season :(Yes he has. Do your research
duffy
says...
3:22pm Tue 22 Jan 13
uhtred
says...
4:14pm Tue 22 Jan 13
uhtred
says...
4:15pm Tue 22 Jan 13
Phil, Leeds
says...
4:32pm Tue 22 Jan 13
duffy wrote:Hopefully he has. But we've signed several players who once had the pedigree, Dobie and Carlisle the 2 most recent that spring to mind, that no longer can cut it at this level for a variety of reasons. I'd like to see John McReady be given his chance as soon as he's 100% because I believe he can cut it.
He has the pedigree and ability that's for sure, just a case of seeing if he still has the legs.
duffy
says...
4:34pm Tue 22 Jan 13
Phil, Leeds wrote:That has been the problem certainly, good players way past their best. Hopefully he bucks the trend.
duffy wrote:Hopefully he has. But we've signed several players who once had the pedigree, Dobie and Carlisle the 2 most recent that spring to mind, that no longer can cut it at this level for a variety of reasons. I'd like to see John McReady be given his chance as soon as he's 100% because I believe he can cut it.
He has the pedigree and ability that's for sure, just a case of seeing if he still has the legs.
OLD - HEAD
says...
5:14pm Tue 22 Jan 13
play up city
says...
5:19pm Tue 22 Jan 13
Realistic ycfc
says...
9:21pm Tue 22 Jan 13
Tug job
says...
9:01am Wed 23 Jan 13
duffy wrote:But we're hardly in a position to attract good players in their prime, are we?
Phil, Leeds wrote:That has been the problem certainly, good players way past their best. Hopefully he bucks the trend.duffy wrote: He has the pedigree and ability that's for sure, just a case of seeing if he still has the legs.Hopefully he has. But we've signed several players who once had the pedigree, Dobie and Carlisle the 2 most recent that spring to mind, that no longer can cut it at this level for a variety of reasons. I'd like to see John McReady be given his chance as soon as he's 100% because I believe he can cut it.
duffy
says...
5:58pm Wed 23 Jan 13
Tug job wrote:Correct.
duffy wrote:But we're hardly in a position to attract good players in their prime, are we?
Phil, Leeds wrote:That has been the problem certainly, good players way past their best. Hopefully he bucks the trend.duffy wrote: He has the pedigree and ability that's for sure, just a case of seeing if he still has the legs.Hopefully he has. But we've signed several players who once had the pedigree, Dobie and Carlisle the 2 most recent that spring to mind, that no longer can cut it at this level for a variety of reasons. I'd like to see John McReady be given his chance as soon as he's 100% because I believe he can cut it.
tips says...
12:50pm Tue 22 Jan 13
Hope the game is on to show what he can do.