Sean Devine
Encyclopedia
Sean Devine is a retired professional footballer who played as a striker.
He began his career with Millwall
. Having spent time on loan with Woking
in 1992, he spent two years with Bromley
and one with Fisher Athletic
before moving to Cyprus to play for Anorthosis Famagusta
in the summer of 1995. Four months later, he returned to England and signed for Barnet
.
Devine was Barnet's top scorer for three seasons and in 1996 he was offered a trial at Premiership club West Ham
. However, the high profile transfer was cancelled after he was struck down by groin and hernia problems which kept him out of action for eight months. Devine had scored 16 goals before Christmas that season and he returned to fitness only after a rehabilitation spell at Lilleshall during the summer of 1997. Devine continued to score goals for Barnet and managed to break the club's league goalscoring record but an alleged fall-out with Bees Manager John Still
brought an end to his future at Underhill
.
In April 1999, after a successful loan spell at the club, Devine signed for Wycombe Wanderers for a fee of £200,000. He scored 8 goals in 12 league appearances that season that must a major contributing factor to Wycombe's last day escape from relegation in the 1998/99 season. Devine also set a Wycombe club record for most goals in a single season by scoring 23 goals during the 1999/2000 campaign. However, a knee injury caused him to miss the whole of the 2000/01 season and after that he was unable to regain his old goalscoring form at the club. Devine stayed for two more years and went on to become Wycombe's all-time record Football League goalscorer, a record he had now achieved for two clubs. During the 2002/03 season, Devine began to fall out of favour with Wycombe manager Lawrie Sanchez
and this led to the player requesting a transfer away from the club. Sanchez felt that Devine was no longer the same player since his injury and accepted a £70,000 offer from Exeter City, with the deal being concluded in January 2003.
In January 2005, Devine captained his Exeter side in an FA Cup
third round match against Manchester United at Old Trafford, in which the non-league side secured a famous 0-0 result. After that season, Devine left England and signed for the New Zealand Knights, where he stayed until the club was dissolved in January 2007.
Devine also played as an Irish B international
in a team that included Robbie Keane
and Damien Duff
in February 1998.
He began his career with Millwall
Millwall F.C.
Millwall Football Club is an English professional football club based in South Bermondsey, south east London, that plays in the Football League Championship, the second tier of English football. Founded as Millwall Rovers in 1885, the club has retained its name despite having last played in the...
. Having spent time on loan with Woking
Woking F.C.
Woking Football Club is a football club from in Woking, Surrey, England, formed in 1889. They are playing in the Conference South in the 2011–12 season. For the 2011/2012 season, Woking are sharing their ground with Conference National club Hayes & Yeading United.-Promotion to the...
in 1992, he spent two years with Bromley
Bromley F.C.
Bromley Football Club are an English football club based in Bromley, in Greater London, England. They currently play in the Conference South, and play their home matches at Hayes Lane.-Early years:...
and one with Fisher Athletic
Fisher Athletic F.C.
Fisher Athletic F.C. was a semi-professional football club from South East London, which last played in the Conference South, which is one of the two leagues that form the sixth tier of the English football league system. The Bermondsey-based club ground-shared at Champion Hill Stadium, the home...
before moving to Cyprus to play for Anorthosis Famagusta
Anorthosis Famagusta FC
Αnorthosis Famagusta FC is a Cypriot football and volleyball club which is originally based in Famagusta, but is now temporarily based in Larnaca, due to the Turkish invasion. Anorthosis is one of the most successful clubs in Cypriot football, having won 13 league titles, 10 Cypriot Cups and 6...
in the summer of 1995. Four months later, he returned to England and signed for Barnet
Barnet F.C.
Barnet Football Club is an English football team from High Barnet, London, England, currently playing in Football League Two. The ground is in the town of Barnet within the London Borough of Barnet....
.
Devine was Barnet's top scorer for three seasons and in 1996 he was offered a trial at Premiership club West Ham
West Ham United F.C.
West Ham United Football Club is an English professional football club based in Upton Park, Newham, East London. They play in The Football League Championship. The club was founded in 1895 as Thames Ironworks FC and reformed in 1900 as West Ham United. In 1904 the club relocated to their current...
. However, the high profile transfer was cancelled after he was struck down by groin and hernia problems which kept him out of action for eight months. Devine had scored 16 goals before Christmas that season and he returned to fitness only after a rehabilitation spell at Lilleshall during the summer of 1997. Devine continued to score goals for Barnet and managed to break the club's league goalscoring record but an alleged fall-out with Bees Manager John Still
John Still (footballer)
John Leonard Still is an English former footballer and current football club manager. He is currently in charge at Dagenham & Redbridge...
brought an end to his future at Underhill
Underhill Stadium
Underhill is the home of Barnet F.C. It is situated in Barnet in the London Borough of Barnet and has a capacity of 6,200. The stadium is famous for its slope from the North to South end. It is also used for Arsenal reserve games....
.
In April 1999, after a successful loan spell at the club, Devine signed for Wycombe Wanderers for a fee of £200,000. He scored 8 goals in 12 league appearances that season that must a major contributing factor to Wycombe's last day escape from relegation in the 1998/99 season. Devine also set a Wycombe club record for most goals in a single season by scoring 23 goals during the 1999/2000 campaign. However, a knee injury caused him to miss the whole of the 2000/01 season and after that he was unable to regain his old goalscoring form at the club. Devine stayed for two more years and went on to become Wycombe's all-time record Football League goalscorer, a record he had now achieved for two clubs. During the 2002/03 season, Devine began to fall out of favour with Wycombe manager Lawrie Sanchez
Lawrie Sanchez
Lawrence Philip "Lawrie" Sanchez is a former Northern Irish football manager, and a former player. He is currently the manager of League Two side Barnet...
and this led to the player requesting a transfer away from the club. Sanchez felt that Devine was no longer the same player since his injury and accepted a £70,000 offer from Exeter City, with the deal being concluded in January 2003.
In January 2005, Devine captained his Exeter side in an FA Cup
FA Cup
The Football Association Challenge Cup, commonly known as the FA Cup, is a knockout cup competition in English football and is the oldest association football competition in the world. The "FA Cup" is run by and named after The Football Association and usually refers to the English men's...
third round match against Manchester United at Old Trafford, in which the non-league side secured a famous 0-0 result. After that season, Devine left England and signed for the New Zealand Knights, where he stayed until the club was dissolved in January 2007.
Devine also played as an Irish B international
Republic of Ireland B national football team
Republic of Ireland B is the reserve team of the Republic of Ireland national football team. There are no competitions for B teams. However since 1957 the Football Association of Ireland has arranged occasional friendlies.-Early B internationals:...
in a team that included Robbie Keane
Robbie Keane
Robert David "Robbie" Keane is an Irish association football player who plays as a striker for Los Angeles Galaxy in Major League Soccer and captains the Irish national football team....
and Damien Duff
Damien Duff
Damien Anthony Duff is an Irish footballer who plays for Premier League team Fulham and the Republic of Ireland national football team. With Ireland he has participated in the 2002 FIFA World Cup and helped his team qualify for UEFA Euro 2012...
in February 1998.