Just been informed Martin Devaney's nephew is in the local bar where I usually watch the football and travel from to the home games here in Denver, Colorado. My friend sent me a message about 15 minutes ago. I told her to tell the nephew that his uncle had a heart as big as a lion and passion and a connection with the fans, which we could do with now. Also told my friend to pass a message onto Martin to come over here and play his football, he would run rings round this shower that plays in this league lol.
You should have seen the passion he showed after the seven nowt defeat at The Hawthornes - could not have cared less. Shows how low our expectations have sunk when someone with such limited ability passes for a hero.
What a load of rubbish, Disco clapped the fans and he also gave is shirt to a small lad/ lass at front even when stewards tried to stop him.
Disco was a great player for Barnsley and is a legend to a lot of fans. He would run his blood to water and had a great attitude. Peoples appreciation of him as a servant of this club will not be clouded by that game which was one to forget and meant nothing (and yes I did go to the game).
It was an inconsequential end-of-season fixture. In the light of years of service with a good attitude, even when dropped, I find it rather harsh to call him on that specific game, especially given the lack of heart shown by many more gifted players before and since.
Well that's the only time I've ever spoken to him so I have to judge him on that. For the most part he did put the effort in but that's all that's required for someone to be classed as a good servant or a legend then we might as well pack in now.
You questioned his passion and while he may have lacked in some areas he did not lack in passion, commitment and loyalty.
I have to agree Mario, he did lack in some skills, but he gave his all on every occasion. I spoke to him a few times before and after games and he was always concentrated on doing well. He could have made it still in our squad if Robins had not released him. I spoke to him about being dropped med season last year and he was upset, because he thought he was better than the players Robins kept picking. He was down to earth, he didn't even have a flash car or sometimes a razor lol. Believe me, he enjoyed his time at Oakwell and he loved the fans, as most liked him.
I really did question Robins when he released him and I hoped Hill would bring him back but it wasn't to be. For me he could still do a job for us even if it was only as a squad player. I said last season I would take a team of Disco's and Bobby Hassells over a team of O'Connors anyday.
I liked Devaney a lot. Produced the goods in some really big games, could really cross as well. Fond memories.
And if my memory serves me correctly didn't disco once see a couple of lads wearing tarn scarfs stood at the bus stop in the rain and he picked them up and dropped them off at their home
He was a very good servant to our club. Made some real telling contributions and always gave his all. One of my favourite players of the last decade.
he's the type of player who most people like because he shows he cares everytime he plays. just before he was released he got a few sub appearance's and he made the difference (missed a sitter but made a difference) top man, top player. I wish he was still at Oakwell