Player #76 for Aston Villa, John Henry George Devey, known as Jack Devey played as a forward for the club. Jack represented Villa between 1891-92 and 1901-02.

Jack was born in Newtown, just 2 miles from the current Villa ground on 26th December 1866 and made his debut as an 24 year old on 5th September 1891.

Villa had signed Jack from Mitchell St. George’s and he went on to represent the club over eleven seasons scoring at a rate of more than a goal every other game.

In his time with the Villa Jack won 8 major trophies: 5 League Championships, 2 FA Cups and 1 Charity Shield.

Jack’s brother William and uncle Harry also played for Villa; Jack and Harry regularly appeared together in the 1891/92 season (13 times) and four times in 1892/93.

The Villa News and Record of 1st September 1906 paid tribute to Jack:

“For one so skilful, thorough, and effective, his merits when in his prime were inexplicable overlooked by the Selection Committee. Could play in most positions in the forward line, and was for many years one of the very best pivots in England. A close dribbler, with good pace, he was alive to every movement on the field, and possessing the rare gift of intelligent anticipation made a splendid leader. Knew the game really well, never lacked initiation, but a strong believer in combination. Exceptionally clever with head and feet in front of goal; a prolific scorer.”

Jack played in 29 of Villa’s 30 games in the 1893-94 Championship winning season.

He followed that as an ever present in the 1894-95 FA Cup Winning team including the final hosted at Crystal Palace, London where Villa once again beat West Bromwich Albion, this time 1-0.

The following season 1895-96 brought another League Championship for Villa with Jack appearing in every game which he followed up with another 29 appearances in the 1896-97 league championship winning season.

That season also saw Villa complete a historic League and FA Cup double with Jack playing every FA Cup game including the final at Crystal Palace, London where Villa vanquished Everton 3-2.

Jack then made 55 league appearances over the following two seasons - 1898-99 and 1899-00 as Villa once again ran out as League Champions.

Jack’s final game for Villa came on the 29th January 1902 after which he retired from football.

Jack had played his entire Villa career under the George Ramsay led Management Committee.

After retiring Jack’s connection to Villa never faltered and he went on to become a Director of Villa from April 1902 to September 1939.

Jack passed away in Moseley on 11th October 1940 aged 73.