Irish international John Devine began his professional career in London with Arsenal in 1976. After 397 appearances for the Gunners that produced 19 goals, he moved to Norwich in June 1983. In 69 games for the Canaries, he scored three times, twice against Watford and once versus Liverpool.

He formed an ex-Canary trivumerate with Keith Bertschin and Louie Donowa at Stoke, his next league club. After a broken leg more or less ended his playing career in England, he went to Norway with spells at Kristiansand and Idretskl Ubben Start, the latter as Player/Coach. A return to Ireland with Shamrock Rovers was followed by his most unusual footballing setting so far when he joined Indian side East Bengal. He was later employed by Irish side Shelbourne.

Shelbourne established a link with Manchester United as a "feeder club". Needing to identify younger talent across the Emerald Isle, United then appointed Devine as their youth development officer in Ireland. Devine's job is to travel the country, arranging four-a-side games for kids up to the age of 12, which take place free from the stresses of excited parents or competitive structures. He also has his own furniture business.

In 2008, Devine was appointed as head coach at new Irish side Sporting Fingal, formed by Fingal Council, and who play in the FAI First Division. Former Shamrock Rovers manager Liam Buckley is the club's manager They took Sporting Finghal to victory in the Irish FA Cup final in November 2009, beating Paul Cook's Sligo Rovers. Sporting Fingal took part in European competition for the first time ever in 2010/11; losing 6-4 on aggregate in the Europa League to Portuguese side Maritimo

Sporting Fingal went out of business in February 2011.

Devine was also married to former Miss Ireland Michelle Rocca