Former Carlisle United midfielder Jamie Devitt has decided to retire from football in a playing capacity with immediate effect.
The news came after the Irishman suffered a season-ending injury in January whilst playing for Workington Reds in the Northern Premier League, and with an operation needed, which would’ve kept the midfielder out until the end of the season, Devitt has now decided to call time on his playing career.
Having been plagued by injury throughout his career, it comes as no surprise to see Devitt decide that now is the time to step away from football in a playing capacity.
Devitt was part of Paul Simpson’s side who gained promotion to League One last season yet injuries would seriously limit his playing time. Making 14 appearances for the club during that season in all competitions, Simpson decided to not re-sign the 33-year-old, much of that down to his injury record.
He does however still work for Carlisle in a casual scouting capacity and may rejoin the Cumbrians at some point on a coaching basis. Devitt is currently the assistant manager at Workington and will continue to serve in that position until the end of the season.
The midfielder is very much a cult hero at the Cumbrian side and he would amass 151 appearances in two different spells with the club. During that time he would rack up 40 goal contributions and became a fan favourite for his hard work in the middle of the park.
Having also turned out for the likes of Morecambe, Grimsby Town, and Hull City amongst various others EFL sides, Devitt would rack up over 300 appearances in the EFL during his career. Those numbers would’ve however been far higher had he managed to stay fit, with injuries having huge impacts on his career.
In an interview on Workington’s official website, Devitt would go onto say:
“Nobody ever wants this day to come and footballers believe we will play for ever.”
“It just seems to have been one thing after another since my first operation four years ago and this latest setback, which will require more surgery, is one too many to deal with, both mentally and physically. I have had great support from my family throughout this tough period and couldn’t have coped without them.”
“I have loved my time at Workington and thank the club for the opportunity to play for them, and now I will give everything I possibly can to help the team and the manager in any way I can with the coaching aspect. Let’s concentrate on a strong finish together and make it an enjoyable end to the season.”
Writer’s View
It seems as if now is the right time for Devitt to step away from the game in a playing capacity given his awful luck with injury in the last four years. He does however seem destined to have a career in the game, now serving as assistant manager to fellow former-blue Danny Grainger.
Carlisle fans will have fond memories of Devitt in a blue shirt, and when fully fit, he was one of the best players in the squad. Those injuries no doubt halted career and we may have never got to see quite the best of him.
It wouldn’t come as a surprise to see Devitt work in a permanent capacity with the club in the future given his ties with the club, and there could be a role in the academy setup for the Irishman.
Senior Editor
