The 40-year-old made over 500 Football League appearances for Watford, Sheffield United and Notts County and helped the Blues into the Premier League while winning ten Scottish caps.Devlin has been persuaded to play a cameo role for the Roms in the Evo-Stik Northern Premier League by boss Richard Evans and coach Dave Barnett.Devlin, speaking to the official Roms website, said: "If I didn’t have anything on at the weekends I’d have never have given Saturday football up."I’ve known Richard and Dave a long time, especially Rich from my days at Tamworth when he was playing for Moor Green, so I said I would sign and help out. It’s very much a flexible agreement as I can’t commit to every match with coaching children and my lad playing football."I still love a game though, and I’ve kept myself pretty fit playing for mate’s teams and Brookvale in the in the over-35’s league as well as Blues old boys with Dave Barnett."Former big name pros have claimed they are too often singled out for harsh treatment in Non-League but Devlin is looking forward to the challenge.Devlin told his new club's website: “Historically, when I was coming through, the Northern Premier League was tough. I’ve not played in it for a long long time but there was always a bit more rough and tumble, though it is nothing I haven’t come across over the years."The Roms endured tough tests in the Evo-stik NPL First Division South last term, but Devlin is convinced he can boost fortunes at Coles Lane come August's big kick off.“The main thing Richard [Evans] said to me was about the side’s decision making and managing to close a game out – they were an honest side last season but maybe lacked experience. With the budget at Romulus they have done fantastically so hopefully I can go along and impart some experience.”Evans said: “Paul’s mentality and knowing how to win a game will be good for our dressing room - he is of the same breed as Dave Barnett, they are both winners.“It is nice to have an international playing for you and it shows our young players that we are a club who want to improve their game by working with the best, rather than just playing and training for the sake of it.”Paul Devlin is interviewed in The Non-League Paper this Sunday. Go to the club's website for his full web interview plus all the latest Roms news.
Source: FOOTYMAD
