And at Gainsborough, that has proven no different. Club Captain, Dylan Cogill reacted to the news initially, "We were all absolutely gutted for Danny. We could see how hard he had worked to get back into the side. To break his leg and come back as he did, to get injured again is a massive blow, but travelling in with him all year, I know how he’ll bounce back from it and do all the right things to speed up his rehabilitation process. He won't let it get him down, and he'll work even harder to get back out there on the grass. Danny is a class act and we all wish him a speedy recovery!"

Danny made his Holy Blues' debut on November 18th, coming on as a second half substitute against home town side Bradford (Park Avenue), having joined from Pitching In Northern Premier League rivals, Guiseley AFC. He went on to make fourteen appearances for the Holy Blues before cruelly suffering a broken leg in the 4-1 away win over Warrington Rylands back in February (2024).

Danny worked hard to get back to fitness, and made a surprise appearance, on the bench, for the televised Emirates FA Cup Second Round clash with Harrogate Town. He continued his rehabilitation away at Liversedge in Step Four, before being fully integrated back into the fold in mid-January, making his first start in the 3-2 win over Stockton Town.

Ten appearances into his Gainsborough Trinity return, the unfortunate midfielder ruptured his Achilles in the league game against FC United of Manchester:

"I ruptured my Achilles, so it's not good news. It's nothing I’ve not been through before though..."

Speaking shortly after the injury, Devine spoke of the realisation he was also going to struggle with his job away from the beautiful game:

"Yeah, I'm not going to be able to work for a while now. I'm not allowed to put any weight on my foot. Working at Amazon, it’s not something I will be able to go back to until I’m more mobile and can get about better."

To be struck down so soon, and so severely, after recovering and returning back to fitness after his first long term injury, and due to the nature of his deal - he never took a penny out of the club, it was felt, by everyone at Trinity, that the least Danny deserved, was a whip around. As Chairman Dave Horsley explained:

"Once the news broke that young Danny Devine would be out for another sustained spell on he sidelines, we had conversations as a Board of Directors, and also fielded several calls and messages from members of the Gainsborough Trinity family about the possibility of doing something to support Danny, and that's what we will do on Saturday, when we play our game against Prescot Cables."

The decision was taken, that Trenton Dolphin, the Holy Blues' mascot, will hold a bucket collection for Danny Devine. The response, it is hoped, will show Danny our support of one of our own. The bucket collection will take place prior to kick off, and at half time, overseen by Trenton and his helpers. Those unable to make the game and wishing to make a contribution. No matter how big, or small, can reach out to any of our directors to make a donation.

Article by Rob Hughes (@AATM_Media)
Images by Sean Cook and Tommy Cox from their FC United of Manchester albums