Portsmouth players can't speak highly enough of 'little legend' and Northern Ireland international Terry Devlin after awards night clean sweep
Terry Devlin proved to be a popular winner at Pompey’s end-of-season awards night if these kind words from his Blues team-mates are annything to go on.
‘Deserves every bit of success. An example to any young player!’
These are just some of the words that have been spoken about Terry Devlin by his Pompey team-mates after he completed a clean sweep of titles at the Blues’ end-of-season awards night.
The Northern Ireland international’s impressive performances for the Fratton Park side this term meant, realistically, that there was only ever going to be one winner of the top accolades handed out during the glitzy Victory Suite ceremony on Tuesday.
It, therefore, came as no surprise at all when the 22-year-old was handed the supporters’ player of the season award along with the Pompey players’ player of the year gong after a remarkable third campaign with the Blues.
There was even room for one more prize,too, with Devlin’s spectactular second goal in the 3-1 win against Charlton back in February voted Pompey’s goal of the season.
Given the fact the former Glentoran and Dungannon Swifts midfielder played just 149 minutes of Championship football up until his first league start of the season against Wrexham on November 11 makes his awards night dominance remarkable.
The fact that his subsequent 28 starts over the Blues’ next 29 games all came at right full-back also makes his achievements even more significant.
Pompey will no doubt be hopeful Devlin retains his impressive levels over the remaining four games of the season, with John Mousinho’s side still not guranteed a Championship berth next season.
Coming out on top of three separate votes on Tuesday night will undoubtedly mean the converted defender will go into those games with a lot of confidence in his ability to help the Blues secure the points they need.
The same can also be said following the kind words spoken about Devlin by his team-mates in the aftermath of his awards night clean sweep.
Player of the year Terry Devlin: what’s been said
Among those to hail the Northern Irishman’s season and progress at Fratton Park following his 2023 arrival from the Irish League was club captain Marlon Pack.
The 35-year-old can count himself unlikely not to have joined Devlin in the three-man shortlist for the Pompey player of the season award after some sterling performances in midfield this term, particularly since the turn of the year.
Yet Pack said the international defender was fully deserving of the recognition he received.
Writing on Instagram, he said: ‘Deserves every bit of success, the boy @terrydevlin6.
‘A consummate professional and more importantly a great human being. And Tuesday night was his 100th game for @pompey.’
Conor Chaplin has known Devlin for less than a year, after arriving back at the club from Ipswich on loan on the final day of the summer transfer window.
But he quickly learned how the youngster’s work-ethic remains one of his core strengths.
Also posting on Instagram, he said: ‘An example to any young player.
‘No shortcuts, just consistent hard work and belief in what you do. Couldn’t be more deserved. Proud of you mate.’
The same sentiment was shared by Josh Murphy, who was named Pompey’s player of the season for the 2024-25 campaign.
Injury has prevented the winger from hitting those heights again this term. Nevertheless. he was delighted to hand his crown over to Devlin
‘Committed, fearless & hungry,’ Murphy wrote on Instagram.
‘Watching you grow this season has been a real joy! Deserved recognition for a little legend.
‘Proud of you, brother.’
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