Phone call from former Ayr
Nicky Devlin wondered if he was destined to only watch others celebrating when his football career was on the slide.
But he’s hoping to be revelling in the joy of winning a major trophy at Hampden Park tonight.
The Livingston full-back is in line to play his 36th game of the season when his side face St Johnstone in the final of the Betfred Cup.
Just seven years ago, he was released by Stenhousemuir after a spell juggling part-time football with bar work.
It looked like his dreams of playing at the top level were fading away.
He said: “I was working in the bar of the Pond Hotel in the West End of Glasgow.
“It was a 24-hour bar and there were a few times when I’d play on the Saturday and, if they were short-staffed, I’d go straight from the game to work on an 18th or 21st birthday party.
“I usually worked from 7 in the morning until 3 pm. Then I’d go home for a couple of hours before training at night.”
“I actually really enjoyed working in the bar, it was a good laugh and chat. But, it wasn’t something I wanted to do forever.”
It looked like he might have no option but to continue pulling pints when he left Stenhousemuir.
Then his saviour appeared in the shape of Ayr United boss Mark Roberts.
He went on: “No disrespect to Stenhousemuir, because it was a great club for me, but when you get released from there it’s a case of ‘Where do I go now?’.
“I feared I’d be like so many and fall out of the game.
“I was lucky enough that Mark Roberts gave me a phone call to go down to Ayr just to train for a couple of weeks.
“He made it quite clear after a few days that they wanted to sign me, which was a huge relief.
“There have been so many cases of players being released at lower league level and falling out of the game.
“I’ve got a lot to thank Mark for.
“In my second year, Ian Mccall took over as manager and made me captain when I was still only 20. That was a big moment for me.
“I think it matured me a lot quicker than I possibly would’ve normally.
“I was still young in a dressing room full of experienced players but he chose me to be captain. That was a big turning point for me.”
Devlin’s success at Somerset Park resulted in a move to League One Walsall United on a two-year contract.
Despite being offered a new deal by the
Midlands club, he opted to join Livingston in 2019.
It’s a decision he hasn’t regretted for a moment.
The 27-year-old added: “I’d never played in the Premiership up here, so I wanted to do that and prove I could do it.
“The opportunity at Livingston came along, I spoke to my family, and they thought it was the best option for me.
“We’re all very hard working players at the club. We’re not a team full of superstars and big egos.
“We work hard and we all get on.
“I think that’s why it’s been successful so far.
“The manager epitomises it – he’s worked really hard on and off the park for the club.”
Almondvale boss Davie Martindale has certainly got people talking about the club.
His rehabilitation following a six-anda-half-year prison sentence for drugs offences is a remarkable story.
Devlin reckons there could be a call from
Hollywood if he leads Livi to silverware.
He said: “If things were to go well for us today, I’m not sure he wouldn’t be too far off a film. Netflix missed a trick.
“At the side of the park, you can obviously hear him.
“He’s determined when we are playing and highly motivated going into every game.
“He’s been brilliant, a breath of fresh air for the squad, and it’s not all talk.
“He has backed it up with his 16 games in charge.
“I think he probably targets players like me that have got a point to prove.
“We’ve been written off so many times but we keep proving people wrong.
“And hopefully we’ll be able to do that again at Hampden.”
NICKY DEVLIN was speaking to promote Premier Sports’ live and exclusive coverage of the Betfred Cup Final Livingston v St Johnstone on Sunday from 1pm. Premier Sports is available on Sky, Virgin TV and the Premier Player. Prices start from £9.99 per month.”
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