Devlin, James – The Celtic Wiki

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Fullname: James Devlin
aka: Jim Devlin, Jimmy Devlin
Born: est 1876 (TBC, see CGS Forum)
Died: […] (TBC, see CGS Forum)
Birthplace: […] (TBC, see CGS Forum)
Signed: October 1890; September 1894 (from Paisley Celtic)
Left: May 1895 (to Royal Albert)
Position: Outside-Right
Debut: Dumbarton 0-2 Celtic, League, 9 Mar 1895
Internationals: N/A
International Caps:N/A

Biog

*Note: Following investigation by members of this site & CGS forum, it is thought that possibly the ‘James Devlin’ who was with Celtic in 1890, is a different one to that who signed for Celtic in 1895, all to be confirmed, see CGS forum. Until otherwise, we have assumed they are the same person but have split the two periods up.
https://www.tapatalk.com/groups/celtic_graves/devlin-james-1890-91-1894-95-t818.html

James Devlin (1890-91)
Outside-right James Devlin first signed for Celtic in October 1890 from Blackstoun Rangers but never played a competitive first team game in his first spell. However in those early days, the Scottish Cup was the only truly competitive organised competition, with most matches being friendlies or exhibition matches.

He was the inside-right that helped Celtic reserves with the 2nd XI Cup 13-1 v St Mirren (21 Feb 1891).

He played v Blackburn (then then FA Cup holders) in a friendly on 1 Oct 1891, Celtic winning 3-2, and the reports stated positively on Devlin:

“Devlin with a scorcher, placed the teams level, and to the close of this half neither team could claim any superiority, the teams crossing over 1 goal each.
“Dowds, Reynolds, Madden, Cunningham, and Devlin deserve special mention for their grand play, and in them is due to a great extent the bringing about the downfall of the English Cup Holders.”

Despite that good performance he moved on to Abercorn but then to Paisley Celtic in 1893.

James Devlin (1894-95)

James Devlin moved to Parkhead in September 1894, and his brother John Devlin came in to trial for Celtic a week later.

James Devlin made his competitive debut for Celtic in a 2-0 league win at Dumbarton on 9th March 1895. He then played a week later in a 4-0 home win against Leith Athletic. His brother (John Devlin) also played in the Celtic side in this match and scored a debut goal. The following week Celtic played Rangers in a 1-1 draw, but only John Devlin was played out of the two brothers.

However he left the club for Royal Albert May soon afterwards and never made another appearance for the Bhoys. Celtic didn’t win the league in 1894/95, but had won it the season before and the season after, so James Devlin was a touch unfortunate in his timing to miss out on those successes.

Neither he nor his brother made it at Celtic.

Post-Celtic
James Devlin moved around a number of clubs, including Chorley, Dundee, Sunderland, Arsenal and Airdrie, and in time to link up again with his brother at Third Lanark and then Albion Rovers.

Got into trouble for assaulting an ice cream vendor whilst at Dundee and was charged for it. He had thrown a tumbler at the ice cream vendor and cut him on the head. Devlin stated that Valente had put his money in the drawer and refused him ice cream for it. The Sheriff allowed him to go on paying a fine of £1.

At Arsenal, his career was blighted by illness.The centre forward had joined from Sunderland for £80 in December 1897 but was struck by pleurisy soon after arriving. Devlin made a goalscoring league debut against Blackpool in January 1898 but did not play first-class football for the club again. He moved to Airdrie in exchange for another player (John Dick).

Later he & his brother joined the Army in December 1899, undergoing training at Maryhill barracks with the Scottish Rifles, and then fought in the tragic Boer War in South Africa. Both he and his brother thankfully survived that war, and on their return home they went on to play again for Albion Rovers.

James Devlin appears to have returned to Third Lanark in 1900, and spent a few years with them.

Playing Career

APPEARANCES	LEAGUE	SCOTTISH CUP	LEAGUE CUP	EUROPE	TOTAL
1890-91 &1894-95	2	0	N/A	N/A	2
Goals:	0	0	–	–	0

Honours with Celtic

none

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Forum

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Articles

Dundee Courier-Tuesday 11 August 1896

Talking about Dundee’s new signings

James Devlin, of Mossend Celtic and Chorley;

and later in the same article.

James Devlin, late Chorley, has been called upon fill the centre forward position—a position which, it will be remembered, very few of the last team occupied with success. Devlin strongly built young fellow of 21 years of age, and has come to Dundee an excellent reputation as a football player, Celtic, just after he had put his signature to Carolina agreement, having approached him with good terms.

Scottish Referee-Monday 20 May 1895

Royal Albert have picked up two clinking players in Devlin (Mossend Celtic) and Allison (Longriggend). Will they succeed in retaining them for next season ? [likely referring to his brother John Devlin]

Glasgow Evening Post-Monday 02 December 1895

Devlin, of the Mossend Celtic. has been signed by Ardrieonians. He was given a trial at the Celts some time ago. after which he went south to Chorley. Devlin is a likely-looking lad.

Dundee Courier-Friday 29 May 1896

“James Devlin, a member of the Dundee Football Club, was at Airdrie yesterday, fined for assault.”At Airdrie Sheriff Court yesterday, James Devlin, prosesaional football player, who is in the Dundee team for next year, appeared before Sheriff Mair charged with assaulting Valente. an Italian icecream maker at Whifflet. He had thrown a tumbler at Valente and cut him on the head. Devlin stated that Valente had put his money in the drawer and refused him icecream for it. The Sheriff allowed him to go on paying a fine of £1.

Devlin, James - The Celtic Wiki

Dundee Courier-Wednesday 23 February 1898

CLAIM AGAINST AIRDRIEONIANS. Devlin lodged a claim for £2 8s 2d. Devlin stated he was a signed professional at 10s per week. The claims were largely for lost time. The claim was sustained.

Scottish Referee-Monday 05 September 1898

Delinquent Devlin. On Saturday week last the Third introduced a new centre – forward in the person of Devlin, the Dundonian forward. His display was considered highly satisfactory, and the Cathkin committee very wisely resolved to again place him in the position. It will be remembered Devlin had an escapade with Sunderland last season, playing one match and then in a most mysterious manner. disappearing. Evidently this wayward youth intends serving his new masters in a similar unwarrantable manner. Without leave or warning he absented himself from training during the week, and then, to crown all, he cooly telegraphed at the eleventh hour that he was indisposed and unlit to play. Conduct such as this can bring nothing but discredit in its train, and for his own and his new club’s sake it behoves Devlin, by strict discipline, henceforth to allay any doubts that may have been created last week.

James Devlin

James Devlin

Season	John Devlin
Blackstoun R
Celtic	1890/91
Abercorn		Mossend Celtic
Paisley Celtic	1894/95	Celtic
Celtic	1895/96	Airdrie
Royal Albert		Chorley
Chorley
Dundee	1896/97	Tottenham H
Sunderland
Woolwich Arsenal	1897/98	Millwall
Airdrie	1897/98
Third Lanark	1898/99	Third Lanark
Albion Rovers		Albion Rovers
Army		Army
Albion Rovers	1901/02+	Albion Rovers
		Nithsdale W
		Lanesmark

Scottish Referee-Monday 08 November 1897

Sunderland have secured a new centre-forward in James Devlin, of the Dundee club. He is 21 years of age, 5 feet 10 inches in height, and weighs 12r, stones. He will arrive in Sunderland on Tuesday, and is eligible to play for Sunderland against the Wolverhampton Wanderers on Saturday first. Devlin has had offers from well-known League clubs in Liverpool, Bolton Wanderers, and Aston Villa.

on Ancestry

2x “J Devlin” served together in the 4th Battalion Scottish Rifles in the Boer War Numbers 2178, and 8365.

Notes

James and John Devlin both ex Celts. Joined the army together in December 1899. By January they were undergoing training at Maryhill barracks with the Scottish Rifles. I believe they later served in South Africa.

What is important, is that this means the Devlin brothers who go to Chorley, and later meet back up again at Albion Rovers, ARE the same brothers who trialled for Celtic in 1895.

And as we know that James Devlin is 21 in 1896, it’s very, very likely that 1890 James Devlin (from the 2nd XI cup final picture) isn’t the same James Devlin as the 1895 one. UNLESS we did sign him as a 14/15 year old, and play him in the reserves.

Airdrie & Coatbridge Advertiser 29 June 1901

Devlin, James - The Celtic Wiki

Scottish Referee 12 January 1900

Devlin, James - The Celtic Wiki