Joseph Devera (born 6 February 1987) is an English footballer who plays as a defender.
Career
Barnet
Born in Southgate, London, Devera is a product of Barnet's youth system, and progressed through the ranks, where he captained the reserve side. Prior to this, Devera was at the Southgate College football academy run by Protec. On 18 January 2005, he made his Barnet debut, coming on as substitute in a Conference League Cup defeat to Grays Athletic.
In August 2006, Devera signed his first professional contract with the club, on a two–year contract. On 26 September 2006, he made his league debut for Barnet, in a 1–1 draw against Peterborough United. He then broke into the Barnet first team in the 2006–07 season. At the end of the 2006–07 season, Devera went on to make twenty–eight appearances in all competitions. During this time, he established himself as the club's first-choice right-back.
Ahead of the 2007–08 season, Devera signed a long–term contract with the club. At the start of the 2007–08 season, he started the season well when he kept a clean sheet, in a 0–0 draw against Morecambe in the opening game of the season. However, in a follow–up match against Hereford United, he was sent–off for a professional foul on Trevor Benjamin, as Barnet lost 2–1. After serving a one match suspension, Devera returned to the starting lineup on 1 September 2007, where he helped the side beat Bradford City 2–1. He started out playing in the right–back position before moving to the centre–back position halfway through the season. Devera's switch to the centre–back position proved to work well, as he performed well in number of matches that he was named Mortgage Express Barnet player-of-the-month award for January. As the 2007–08 season progressed, Devara found himself rotating in right–back position and centre–back position. However, he suffered a hamstring injury that saw him sidelined for the rest of the season. At the end of the 2007–08 season, Devera made forty–five appearances in all competitions. For his performance, he won both Barnet's player of the year and the most improved player award, which is considered his "highlights at Barnet".
Ahead of the 2008–09 season, Devera was linked a move away from Barnet, as he was monitored by "higher-league clubs". Despite this, he stayed at the club and was featured captain throughout the club's pre–season tour. At the start of the 2008–09 season, Devera continued to rotate in playing at the left–back position, right–back position and centre–back position. Since the start of the 2008–09 season, Devera started in every match in the league until he suffered a ligament damage that kept him out between for four to six weeks. On 17 January 2009, Devera returned to the first team from injury, as they drew 1–1 against Dagenham & Redbridge. He then scored his first Barnet goal on 21 February 2009, in a 4–1 win over Bradford City. At the end of the 2008–09 season, Devera went on to make thirty–six appearances and scoring once in all competitions.
At the start of the 2009–10 season, however, Devera found himself behind the pecking order in the club's defence and was placed on the substitute bench. He made his first appearance of the season, coming on as a substitute in extra time, as Barnet lose 2–0 against Watford on 26 August 2009. Devera was soon plagued by injuries and was out for almost two months. It wasn't until on 26 December 2009 when he returned to the starting lineup, in a 4–0 loss against Aldershot Town. Since returning to the starting lineup from injury, Devera regained his first team place for the rest of the season. At the end of the 2009–10 season, he went on thirty–four appearances in all competitions.
At the start of the 2010–11 season, however, Devera suffered an injury that saw him miss two matches between 14 August 2010 and 21 August 2010. He then returned to the starting lineup on 28 August 2010, in a 1–1 draw against Bury. Devera continued to regain his first team for the side for the rest of the season, where he played in the centre–back position from the right–back position. His performance at the club this season was praised by Manager Paul Fairclough. On 19 February 2011, Devera scored his second goal for Barnet, in a 1–1 draw against Cheltenham Town. He then captained Barnet for the first time in his career on 8 March 2011, where Barnet lost 1–0 against Wycombe Wanderers. In the last game of the season against Port Vale, Devera captained the side, in a 1–0 win. On 8 May 2011, he was announced as Barnet's most improved and best player of the 2010–11 campaign. At the end of the 2010–11 season, Devera made forty–five appearances and scoring once in all competitions.