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Steve Evans (footballer, born 1979)

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Steve Evans
Personal information
Full name Steven James Evans[1]
Date of birth (1979-02-26) 26 February 1979 (age 45)
Place of birth Wrexham, Wales
Height 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m)[1]
Position(s) Defender
Team information
Current team
 Flint Town United (assistant manager)
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
1999–2006 The New Saints 152 (24)
2001–2002 → Oswestry Town (loan) 6 (1)
2006–2009 Wrexham 80 (7)
2009–2017 The New Saints 109 (13)
2014–2015 → Connah's Quay Nomads (loan) 23 (3)
2021–2022 Caernarfon Town 14 (1)
2022 Colwyn Bay 2 (0)
Total 385 (49)
International career
2002–2005 Wales semi-pro 9 (0)
2006–2008 Wales 7 (0)
Managerial career
2017–2021 The New Saints (assistant)
2022–2024 Colwyn Bay
2024– Flint Town United (assistant)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals

Steven James Evans (born 26 February 1979) is a Welsh football coach and former professional footballer who is currently assistant manager of Flint Town United.

He is a Welsh former international footballer, having played for his country at semi-pro and full levels. In 2008, he became the first Non-League footballer to be capped by Wales since 1930 – a 76-year gap.

Club career

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Much of Evans' playing career saw him playing for The New Saints, over two spells either side of a three-year tenure at hometown club Wrexham. Evans also represented Oswestry Town and Connah's Quay Nomads on loan, in 2001–02 and 2014–15 respectively.

Early career

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He began his career with as a trainee at Crewe Alexandra and West Bromwich Albion but was not offered a professional contract by either club.[2]

Total Network Solutions (TNS)

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He joined League of Wales side Total Network Solutions (TNS) in the summer of 1999, playing in the title-winning side of 2000.[2] He struggled to keep a first team place in the 2001–02 season due to injury and joined Oswestry Town on loan.[3] After six appearances for Oswestry Town, he returned to TNS and played in the title winning sides of 2005 and 2006[4] and the 2005 Welsh Cup with victory over Carmarthen Town.[5]

He won the Welsh Premier player of the season award for 2004–05.[2] Evans played two games against the then-European champions Liverpool in the summer of 2005; TNS lost both legs 3–0 but he and the rest of the side were praised for their performances against a side containing the likes of England midfielder Steven Gerrard with Liverpool manager Rafael Benítez saying, "TNS were well organised and they did well. We saw them on videos before the tie and we knew that they would be prepared.".[6] Evans was inducted as a Saints legend in May 2008.[7]

In February 2006, Evans impressed for the Saints in an FAW Premier Cup semi-final against League Two side Wrexham, scoring an equaliser in extra-time to force the game into penalties,[8]

Wrexham

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He joined Wrexham on a two-year deal in June 2006.[9] He had made over 150 league and cup appearances for TNS.[2] Wrexham manager, Denis Smith, said of him, "He can be as good as he wants to be – maybe he could even do a good job for Wales. Steve's good in the air, can pass well and reads the game. He's older and wiser and benefits from experience."[10]

After joining the Racecourse club, he scored on his home debut against Grimsby Town in a 3–0 win.[11] He was sent-off for two bookings in the cross-border derby against rivals Chester City at the Deva Stadium in August 2006; Denis Smith, however, said that he had "...been outstanding for me since coming into the League. He was looking a bit 'leggy', he's finding full-time football a bit different, but he'll learn from this."[12] In spite of that setback, Evans made a seamless transition from the largely semi-professional Welsh Premier League to the fully professional League Two, making 40 league and cup appearances for Wrexham in the 2006–07 season,[13] which was interrupted by a five-match ban during March 2007 for having been sent off three times in the season,[14] and 32 league and cup appearances in the 2007–08 season.[15] Following Wrexham's relegation to the Football Conference at the end of the 2007–08 season, he was out of contract and was considering his options.[16] He signed a new one-year deal with Wrexham in June 2008, with an option for a further twelve months.[17] However Evans fell out of favour during the season and was released by the club, along with Shaun Pejic, on 2 February.[18]

The New Saints

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Evans then rejoined his former club TNS, by now named The New Saints, the next day.[19] In October 2010 he was fined and stripped of the captaincy of the team as part of The New Saints' actions following his arrest in September 2010 on a public order offence. He was also given extensive additional community work for the club, to play an active role in the coaching and development of young players at the club, assisting the academy and scholarship coaching programmes as well as becoming a player ambassador for the club's Football in the Community programme, working with local schools and junior clubs.[20] In November it was announced that after failing to comply with some of the additional responsibilities set out by the club, that his contract had been terminated.[21] After a long running contractual dispute with his former club, in May 2011 an independent Football Association of Wales tribunal in favour of Evans and decided that the player had been unfairly dismissed. The club announced that he had therefore returned to training with the club and was still contracted to the team.[22]

Whilst as the New Saints he completed his UEFA B Licence coaching qualification. In May 2012 he signed a new contract with the club.[23]

In September 2014, after two serious injuries he joined Connah's Quay Nomads on loan to get playing time.[24]

Caernarfon Town

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In August 2021 he returned to his playing career, when he signed for Caernarfon Town, at the age of 42.[25][26]

International career

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Evans made nine appearances for the Welsh semi-professional side during his first spell at TNS, between the 2002–03 and 2004–05 seasons.[27]

Whilst at Wrexham, he also impressed Wales manager John Toshack and made his international debut for Wales in a friendly against Liechtenstein in November 2006.[28] He was called up again for Wales' 0–0 draw against Northern Ireland in February 2007 when he was praised by John Toshack who said, "Steve's in a difficult situation at the bottom of the league with Wrexham, but he's come into our last two games and not put a foot wrong. He handled all the aerial stuff and has shown he can step up a level."[29] Evans would make four more appearances in Welsh colours in 2007: against Republic of Ireland and San Marino in UEFA Euro 2008 qualifying, and friendlies against New Zealand and Bulgaria.[30]

In September 2008, with Wrexham relegated to the Football Conference, Evans became the first non-league player to represent Wales for 76 years as a second-half substitute in Wales' 2–1 defeat away to Russia in 2010 FIFA World Cup qualification.[31] As of 7 September 2018, he is also the most recent to do so.[32] The Russia match was Evans' most recent international appearance; he has made a total of seven appearances for his country.[27]

Managerial career

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The New Saints

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Evans joined The New Saints' first team coaching team in 2017 and was assistant manager at the club until April 2020 when Scott Roscoe, the then manager departed.[33]

Colwyn Bay

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In January 2022 he was appointed as manager of Colwyn Bay.[34] He guided the club to the Cymru North title in 2023 and promotion to the Cymru Premier for the first time in the club's history.

On 21 April 2024, Evans was sacked by Colwyn Bay following their relegation from the Cymru Premier.[35]

Flint Town

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The following month he joined Flint Town United as their assistant manager.[36]

Career statistics

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International

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As of 09:24, 11 October 2018 (UTC)[30]
Appearances and goals by national team and year
National team Year Apps Goals
Wales 2006 1 0
2007 5 0
2008 1 0
Total 7 0

Honours

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Individual

References

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  1. ^ a b Hugman, Barry J., ed. (2008). The PFA Footballers' Who's Who 2008–09. Mainstream. ISBN 978-1-84596-324-8.
  2. ^ a b c d "Welsh Premier career details for Steve Evans". welsh-premier.com. Welsh Premier League. Retrieved 18 May 2008.
  3. ^ "Town shake up defence". Daily Post. Liverpool. 10 November 2001. Archived from the original on 23 October 2012. Retrieved 18 May 2008.
  4. ^ "McKenna praises 'dominant' TNS". BBC Sport. BBC. 15 April 2006. Retrieved 18 May 2008.
  5. ^ "TNS 1–0 Carmarthen". BBC Sport. BBC. 8 May 2005. Retrieved 18 May 2008.
  6. ^ "Benitez praise for TNS goalkeeper". BBC Sport. BBC. 19 July 2005. Retrieved 18 May 2008.
  7. ^ "Saints induct four club legends". BBC Sport. BBC. 14 May 2008. Retrieved 18 May 2008.
  8. ^ "Wrexham 3–3 TNS (aet)". BBC Sport. BBC. 1 February 2006. Retrieved 18 May 2008.
  9. ^ "Wrexham sign TNS defender Evans". BBC Sport. BBC. 23 June 2006. Retrieved 18 May 2008.
  10. ^ "Evans can play for Wales – Smith". BBC Sport. BBC. 25 June 2006. Retrieved 18 May 2008.
  11. ^ "Wrexham 3–0 Grimsby". BBC Sport. BBC. 6 August 2006. Retrieved 18 May 2008.
  12. ^ "Smith backs Evans after dismissal". BBC Sport. BBC. 21 August 2006. Retrieved 18 May 2008.
  13. ^ "Wrexham 2006/2007 player appearances". Soccerbase. Retrieved 18 May 2008.
  14. ^ "Evans stung with five-match ban". BBC Sport. BBC. 26 February 2007. Retrieved 18 May 2008.
  15. ^ "Wrexham 2007/2008 player appearances". Soccerbase. Retrieved 18 May 2008.
  16. ^ "Wrexham will wait and see over Evans". Flintshire Standard. North Wales Newspapers Ltd. 16 May 2008. Retrieved 18 May 2008.[permanent dead link]
  17. ^ "Wales' Evans sticks with Wrexham". BBC Sport. British Broadcasting. 10 June 2008. Retrieved 11 June 2008.
  18. ^ "Saunders releases defensive duo". BBC Sport. BBC. 2 February 2009. Retrieved 2 February 2009.
  19. ^ "Evans rejoins Saints from Wrexham". BBC Sport. 3 February 2009. Retrieved 3 February 2009.
  20. ^ "Evans disciplined and stripped of captaincy". The New Saints. 12 November 2010. Retrieved 18 November 2010.
  21. ^ "The New Saints terminate Steve Evans' contract". The New Saints. 12 November 2010. Retrieved 18 November 2010.
  22. ^ "Saints bury the hatchet as Evo returns". The New Saints. 28 May 2011. Retrieved 1 June 2011.
  23. ^ "Fraughan makes Park Hall move permanent". The New Saints. 27 May 2012. Retrieved 26 May 2012.[permanent dead link]
  24. ^ "Evans Joins Nomads". The New Saints. 12 September 2014. Retrieved 12 September 2012.
  25. ^ Davies, Michael (21 August 2021). "Steve Evans fully set for Park Hall return with Caernarfon Town". Y Clwb Pel-Droed. Retrieved 23 August 2021.
  26. ^ "Wales - S. Evans - Profile with news, career statistics and history - Soccerway". uk.soccerway.com.
  27. ^ a b "Steve Evans". Men – A Squad. Football Association of Wales. Archived from the original on 29 December 2007. Retrieved 18 May 2008.
  28. ^ "Wales 4–0 Liechtenstein". BBC Sport. BBC. 14 November 2006. Retrieved 18 May 2008.
  29. ^ "Toshack praises Evans' resilience". BBC Sport. BBC. 7 February 2007. Retrieved 18 May 2008.
  30. ^ a b Steve Evans at National-Football-Teams.com
  31. ^ Shuttleworth, Peter (10 September 2008). "Russia 2-1 Wales". BBC Sport. BBC. Retrieved 11 October 2018.
  32. ^ Williams, Aled (7 September 2018). "Denmark v Wales: The story of the 1930s 'unknowns' who forced a draw in Scotland". BBC Wales Sport. BBC. Retrieved 11 October 2018.
  33. ^ "Steve Evans: Colwyn Bay appoint ex-Wales, Wrexham and New Saints defender as manager". BBC Sport. 9 January 2022. Retrieved 9 January 2022.
  34. ^ "Steve Evans appointed manager". Colwyn Bay FC. 9 January 2022. Retrieved 9 January 2022.
  35. ^ "Club Statement - Steve Evans - Colwyn Bay FC / CPD Bae Colwyn". 21 April 2024.
  36. ^ Jones, Dave. "All the best Evo – Flint Town United appoint Steve Evans as assistant-manager". NW Sport. Retrieved 30 May 2024.
  37. ^ a b "Welsh Cup final: Cefn Druids 0–2 The New Saints". BBC Sport. BBC. 5 May 2012. Retrieved 5 May 2012.
  38. ^ "Player of the Season". Welsh Premier League. Retrieved 6 June 2018.
  39. ^ "Dream team 2003/04". welsh-premier.com. Retrieved 6 June 2018.[permanent dead link]
  40. ^ "Dream team 2004/05". welsh-premier.com. Retrieved 6 June 2018.[permanent dead link]
  41. ^ "Dream team 2005/06". welsh-premier.com. Retrieved 6 June 2018.
  42. ^ "Dream team 2009/10". welsh-premier.com. Archived from the original on 12 June 2018. Retrieved 6 June 2018.
  43. ^ "Dream team 2011/12". welsh-premier.com. Retrieved 5 June 2018.
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