Paul Simon Evans (born 1 September 1974) is a former professional footballer. Born in England, he represented Wales at international level. Evans played in the centre or on the right of midfield. He is currently a sports massage therapist as part of the backroom staff at Leeds United.
Career Born in Oswestry, Evans started his career from Shrewsbury Town and got signed professionally in 1993 when he was 19 years old. He went on to make 238 appearances for the Gay Meadow club and scored 36 goals. West London club Brentford signed him for £110,000 in March 1999. It was while at Brentford that Evans famously scored goals in consecutive games from the halfway line, first at home to Preston North End, then at Burnley. During his time at Brentford, Evans gained his first Wales cap and the attention of higher-division clubs. He played 155 games for the club, all in the starting XI. He managed to hit the net 34 times.
It was Bradford City who got his signature when they signed him to a four-year contract on a free transfer from Brentford. He made 21 appearances in his first season with them and scored two goals. He was later loaned out to Blackpool for a couple of months, where he made 10 appearances, scoring once against Tranmere Rovers. When he returned to Bradford he forced his way into the first team due to a few of the usual performers being injured. He played another 25 games and scored another three goals. After the regulars returned to full fitness, he was loaned out again, this time to Nottingham Forest.
After one appearance at the City Ground, Forest paid £25,000 for his services on a permanent basis. He proved to be a bargain buy as he was one of the best performers in Joe Kinnear's side that was relegated at the end of the 2004–05 season. Evans is remembered at the City Ground for his goal against West Ham United shortly after Brian Clough had died. This goal set Forest on the way to victory. Shortly before their relegation, Gary Megson took charge of Forest, and in the 2005–06 season he was frozen out of Megson's plans.
After 45 appearances and four goals in his first full season with Forest, Evans was not allowed to play reserve-team football and lost his fitness as a result. Then-Rotherham United boss and former Forest caretaker boss Mick Harford took him on loan to help regain his fitness. After only four league appearances with the Millers, he suffered a knee injury. In addition to his league appearances at Rotherham he also played in and scored in a Football League Trophy tie against Macclesfield Town.
When Megson left Forest and Ian McParland and Frank Barlow took charge, Evans continued training with Forest again and played a few reserve games; however, he was released at the end of the season.
In July 2006, Evans was given a trial by Swindon Town boss Dennis Wise. He made his first appearance for the Town in a 1–1 draw against Reading and was subsequently offered a one-year deal, which he accepted. Evans soon became an integral part of Swindon's midfield, scoring a number of vital goals including a 40-yard free kick against Wrexham.
He returned to Bradford City in summer 2007, three years after leaving Valley Parade. On 29 April 2008, Evans was deemed to be surplus to requirements at Valley Parade and was released by manager Stuart McCall along with 13 other Bradford players.
He had trials with fellow League Two sides Darlington and Morecambe, as well as Oxford United of the Conference National, who he joined on a short-term contract in September 2008. He played three games for Oxford but was released in January 2009. He joined Halifax Town later the same month along with fellow Bradford City player David Brown. He made his debut against Wakefield as Halifax won 4–1, with Evans helping to make one goal and hitting the crossbar.Evans left FC Halifax in the summer
In August 2009, he joined Farsley Celtic.
Coaching After retiring as a player, Evans works at Leeds United as part of the sports science backroom team.
Personal life Evans is a Liverpool supporter.
Career statistics +Appearances and goals by club, season and competitionClubSeasonLeagueFA CupLeague CupOtherTotalDivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsShrewsbury Town1996–97Second Division4260010004361997–98Third Division39620201Appearance in Football League Trophy04461998–99Third Division326102310369Total1992613214412423836Brentford1998–99Third Division143―――1431999–00Second Division3371020213882000–01Second Division4371040725592001–02Second Division4014102043 appearances in Second Division play-offs, 1 appearance in Football League Trophy04714Total13031308013315434Bradford City2002–03First Division1920010―2022003–04First Division2331010―253Total4251020―455Blackpool (loan)2002–03Second Division111―――111Nottingham Forest2003–04First Division80―――802004–05Championship3943030―454Total4743030―534Rotherham United (loan)2005–06League One4000001151Swindon Town2006–07League Two153101100174Bradford City2007–08League Two250201000280Total675303000735Oxford United2008–09Conference Premier3000―1Appearance in Conference League Cup040Career total4767023229527855585
Honours Shrewsbury Town Football League Third Division: 1993–94
Brentford Football League Third Division: 1998–99 Football League Trophy runner-up: 2000–01
Individual PFA Team of the Year: 1998–99 Third Division, 2001–02 Second Division
References
External links
Paul Evans Vital Profile