JOHNNY Devlin proved to be one of Walsall's finest-ever signings.

A former Glasgow schoolboy player, he emerged with Hibernian and cost The Saddlers a big fee - £7,000 - when he was signed from Kilmarnock in mid-December 1947. But he was worth every penny as he performed in either an inside-forward berth or as a wing-half.

Adept at both constructing and finishing off attacks, he scored five goals against Torquay United in September 1949 and went on to strike home almost 50 goals for The Saddlers in more than 160 senior appearances before retiring from the League scene in the summer of 1952.

A charismatic footballer, skilful and versatile, he loved to get inside the penalty area and would try his luck with a shot as soon as he could, from practically anywhere within the range of the woodwork. A great club man and fine competitor, Devlin later turned out for Bloxwich Strollers and in the 1990s was still living in the Walsall area, following The Saddlers with great interest, albeit through the local press, television and radio before his untimely death in 2001.