‘Special’: Emotional Terry Devlin pays tribute to relationship with Portsmouth faithful as Fratton stay soars to new highs
It was a night which Terry Devlin will never forget at The Valley, with the visibly emotional Pompey favourite talking about his special link with the Fratton Faithful in the wake of his memorable two-goal display.
Terry Devlin saluted his deep bond with Pompey supporters on a momentous night in his flourishing young career.
Devlin’s season soared to a spectacular new high with a two-goal man-of-the-match showing at Charlton Athletic, capped with a goal-of-the-season contender in the huge 3-1 win.
The Northern Ireland international’s arcing 56th-minute 30 yarder will live long in the memory, taking its place alongside Patrik Berger and Andre D’Alessandro on the list of wonder goals at The Valley.
What it meant to the 2023 arrival from Glentoran was clear to see, as he kissed the Pompey crest in celebration and then took the acclaim of the 2,504 travelling fans in joyous scenes of celebration after the game.
Devlin’s time at PO4 continues to go from strength, with his progress towards becoming an established Championship operator increasingly apparent.
The visibly emotional Blues favourite thanked Pompey fans for helping him on his journey since arriving in the city, speaking of the connection he’s built with the Fratton Faithful in that time.
Devlin said: ‘It’s unbelievable, unbelievable really.
‘I feel I’ve built a special relationship with the fans here through my hard work and passion. I’m representing the fans when I pull on that jersey.
‘It makes me emotional, big time. It’s a special feeling, really.
‘I’m from Northern Ireland and it feels like we have the same identity here as we do back home.
‘I’ve come from the Irish League where we had to fight for everything, we got nothing easy back home.
‘That’s been bred into me when I was younger and it’s a quality I think I’ll always have and keep.
‘I feel I’ve grown big time, I feel I’ve grown at everything really. That’s not just football, but in life really.
‘I came over as a young lad and I had to adapt really quickly, moving away from home and moving away from parents.
‘But the people, the club and the fans made it so easy for me, I have respect for them for that.
‘I’m a different person to what I was three years ago. I’m just glad it’s going well for me at the minute, it’s down to me now to just stay on top of everything and finish the season well.’
The quality of Devlin’s second goal has drawn accolades from across the game, with the former Dungannon Swifts man acknowledging it’s the best finish of his career.
Devlin added: ‘My first goal for Glentoran was quite similar, the ball fell out to me and I’ve smashed the ball into the net.
‘There wasn’t as much of the dip, but it has to be the best goal I’ve scored. It looks nicer when it goes in off the post. I’ll definitely be giving it a wee watch back!’