John Devey

John Henry George (Jack) Devey (26 December 1866 – 11 October 1940) was a football player.

Devey was born in Birmingham and signed for Aston Villa in March 1891; he would go on to become one of Aston Villa's greatest captains. A skillful inside right/centre-forward and an England international with 2 caps, he was exceptionally clever with head and feet in front of goal and a prolific goalscorer. He was the club's leading scorer in the Championship winning Villa side of 1893–94 season with 20 goals.

For eight years, Devey captained Aston Villa during which time they won the League championship five times between 1894 and 1900 and the FA Cup twice. Including the famous 'Double' in the 1896–97 season. Devey was also captain of the title chasing 1900 Villa team who suffered a surprise defeat in the F A Cup quarter finals by Southern League Millwall Athletic [ [http://www.freewebs.com/captainbeecher/number18.htm Match report Aston Villa vs Millwall Athletic] ]

Jack Devey was also a Warwickshire cricketer from 1894 to 1907.

He retired in April 1902 and was an Aston Villa director for the next 32 years.

tatistics

League: 268 matches - 168 goals

Cup: 38 matches - 18 goals

References