Gareth Evans (footballer born 1988)
Encyclopedia
Gareth Evans is an English professional footballer who currently plays as a striker for League Two
side Rotherham United
. He previously played in the Football League
for Macclesfield Town.
, Cheshire
, Evans started his career with Manchester United
as part of the youth setup.
Despite being touted as a future star by Alex Ferguson
he decided to re-join Crewe Alexandra
under Dario Gradi
due to their excellent record for mentoring youth players. He had previously been with Crewe from the age of seven before joining Manchester United where he stayed until 14 years of age.
Due to the relegation of Crewe in 2005–06 season and the judgement of the new Manager, Steve Holland
, Evans was released by the club.
exit trials and joined Port Vale
under Martin Foyle
. He scored and impressed in pre-season for them and went on the pre-season tour, but as Foyle had already signed several players that summer, no budget was available for younger inexperienced players. As a result, however, he was recommended to Ian Brightwell
at Macclesfield Town
so that he could gain experience of league football. Evans signed for the League Two
side during the 2007–08 season. He was given the number 26 jersey. Still just 20, he become a first team regular scoring twelve goals and with a number of assists including a goal at West Ham in the Carling Cup. His energy and work rate made him a big hit with the Macclesfield fans.
for an undisclosed fee believed to be £30,000. He signed for Bradford on 1 July 2009. Evans made his Bradford City debut on 8 August 2009 on the opening day of the season as a second half substitute, however, he could do nothing about City losing 5–0 to Notts County
. Evans though soon netted his first goal for City in a 5–4 win at Cheltenham Town
. Evans was involved in an unfortunate moment in November, when his late penalty miss ended up hitting a fan behind the goal directly in the face and knocking him to the floor. He was released by Bradford city at the end of 2011 season as a free agent, this was blamed by financial reasons as the club had to re think their wage plans to get through the next season without problems. This resulted in ten other players leaving the club as well.
Football League Two
Football League Two is the third-highest division of The Football League and fourth-highest division overall in the English football league system....
side Rotherham United
Rotherham United F.C.
Rotherham United Football Club are an English professional football club based in Rotherham, South Yorkshire, who compete in League Two, the fourth tier of English football. The club's colours have traditionally been red and white, although these have evolved through history...
. He previously played in the Football League
The Football League
The Football League, also known as the npower Football League for sponsorship reasons, is a league competition featuring professional association football clubs from England and Wales. Founded in 1888, it is the oldest such competition in world football...
for Macclesfield Town.
Crewe Alexandra
Born in MacclesfieldMacclesfield
Macclesfield is a market town within the unitary authority of Cheshire East, the county palatine of Chester, also known as the ceremonial county of Cheshire, England. The population of the Macclesfield urban sub-area at the time of the 2001 census was 50,688...
, Cheshire
Cheshire
Cheshire is a ceremonial county in North West England. Cheshire's county town is the city of Chester, although its largest town is Warrington. Other major towns include Widnes, Congleton, Crewe, Ellesmere Port, Runcorn, Macclesfield, Winsford, Northwich, and Wilmslow...
, Evans started his career with Manchester United
Manchester United F.C.
Manchester United Football Club is an English professional football club, based in Old Trafford, Greater Manchester, that plays in the Premier League. Founded as Newton Heath LYR Football Club in 1878, the club changed its name to Manchester United in 1902 and moved to Old Trafford in 1910.The 1958...
as part of the youth setup.
Despite being touted as a future star by Alex Ferguson
Alex Ferguson
Sir Alexander Chapman "Alex" Ferguson, CBE is a Scottish association football manager and former player, currently managing Manchester United, where he has been in charge since 1986...
he decided to re-join Crewe Alexandra
Crewe Alexandra F.C.
Crewe Alexandra Football Club is an English professional football club based in Crewe, Cheshire. Nicknamed The Railwaymen due to the town's links with the rail industry, they currently play in Football League Two, the fourth tier of English football, and are based at the Alexandra Stadium.The club...
under Dario Gradi
Dario Gradi
Dario Gradi MBE is an Italian-born English football manager and former player, who was serving as manager of the Crewe Alexandra F.C. Academy. He is a former manager of Crewe Alexandra, with whom he has been associated for almost thirty years.Gradi is notable for his 24-year first spell as manager...
due to their excellent record for mentoring youth players. He had previously been with Crewe from the age of seven before joining Manchester United where he stayed until 14 years of age.
Due to the relegation of Crewe in 2005–06 season and the judgement of the new Manager, Steve Holland
Steve Holland (football)
Steve Holland is an English football coach who is currently assistant first team coach at Chelsea. Holland managed Crewe Alexandra until November 2008, where he took over following Dario Gradi's decision to step down as manager in 2007....
, Evans was released by the club.
Macclesfield Town
After leaving Crewe, Evans played in the PFAProfessional Footballers' Association
The Professional Footballers' Association is the trade union for professional footballers in England and Wales. The world's oldest professional sport trade union, it has 4,000 members....
exit trials and joined Port Vale
Port Vale F.C.
Port Vale Football Club is an English football club currently playing in Football League Two. They are based in Burslem, Staffordshire — one of six towns that make up the city of Stoke-on-Trent. The club's traditional rivals in the city are Stoke City, and games between the two clubs are known as...
under Martin Foyle
Martin Foyle
Martin John Foyle is an English former footballer, turned football manager. In his 20 year playing career he played 533 League games, scoring 155 goals...
. He scored and impressed in pre-season for them and went on the pre-season tour, but as Foyle had already signed several players that summer, no budget was available for younger inexperienced players. As a result, however, he was recommended to Ian Brightwell
Ian Brightwell
Ian Robert Brightwell is an English former footballer, he played for six clubs, most notably spending twelve years with Manchester City...
at Macclesfield Town
Macclesfield Town F.C.
Macclesfield Town Football Club is an English football team. The club was formed in 1874 and is based in the town of Macclesfield in Cheshire. The team play its home games at the 6,355 capacity Moss Rose stadium...
so that he could gain experience of league football. Evans signed for the League Two
Football League Two
Football League Two is the third-highest division of The Football League and fourth-highest division overall in the English football league system....
side during the 2007–08 season. He was given the number 26 jersey. Still just 20, he become a first team regular scoring twelve goals and with a number of assists including a goal at West Ham in the Carling Cup. His energy and work rate made him a big hit with the Macclesfield fans.
Bradford City
On 20 June 2009, Macclesfield agreed to sell Evans to fellow League Two side Bradford CityBradford City A.F.C.
Bradford City Association Football Club is an English association football club based in Bradford, West Yorkshire, playing in League Two....
for an undisclosed fee believed to be £30,000. He signed for Bradford on 1 July 2009. Evans made his Bradford City debut on 8 August 2009 on the opening day of the season as a second half substitute, however, he could do nothing about City losing 5–0 to Notts County
Notts County F.C.
Notts County Football Club are an English professional football club based in Nottingham. They are the oldest of all the clubs in the world that are now professional, having been formed in 1862. They currently play in League One of The Football League, the third tier of the English football system...
. Evans though soon netted his first goal for City in a 5–4 win at Cheltenham Town
Cheltenham Town F.C.
Cheltenham Town Football Club is an English football club playing in League Two, the fourth tier of English football. Founded in 1887, the team has played at four different grounds, namely Agg-Gardner's Recreation Ground, Carter's Field and now the Abbey Business Stadium, although it is more...
. Evans was involved in an unfortunate moment in November, when his late penalty miss ended up hitting a fan behind the goal directly in the face and knocking him to the floor. He was released by Bradford city at the end of 2011 season as a free agent, this was blamed by financial reasons as the club had to re think their wage plans to get through the next season without problems. This resulted in ten other players leaving the club as well.