Background
Devlin was born in Bellshill, North Lanarkshire.
Devlin was born in Bellshill, North Lanarkshire.
He played as an inside forward. He began his football career with junior clubs before moving into the Scottish League, first with Third Lanark and then King"s Park. He came to England to sign for Birmingham of the First Division in September 1924.
Devlin played only twice for Birmingham, unable to dislodge Johnny Crosbie from the inside-right position, and in January 1926 joined Preston North End for a fee of £362.
Then followed appearances for clubs in several countries, including Brooklyn Wanderers and Fall River in the United States, Football Club Zürich in Switzerland, and Remote Control Roubaix in France, interspersed with a return to Scotland with Aberdeen, though again without appearing for the first team, and several more English clubs, including further appearances in the Football League with Walsall and Oldham Athletic. He retired from the game in about 1936, and died in his native Scotland.