Paul Evans (soccer, born 1973)

Paul Anthony Evans (born 28 December 1973) is a South African retired professional footballer.

For other people with this name, see Paul Evans.

Paul Evans
Personal information
Full name Paul Anthony Evans
Date of birth (1973-12-28) 28 December 1973
Place of birth Newcastle, South Africa
Position(s) Goalkeeper
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
1992–1995 Wits University 140 (0)
1995–1997 Leeds United 0 (0)
1996 → Crystal Palace (loan) 0 (0)
1997 → Bradford City (loan) 0 (0)
1998–1999 Supersport United 60 (0)
2000–2001 Mamelodi Sundowns 30 (0)
2001–2002 Jomo Cosmos 30 (0)
2002 Huddersfield Town 0 (0)
2002–2003 Sheffield Wednesday 7 (0)
2003 Rushden & Diamonds 5 (0)
2004–2009 Bath City 180 (0)
Total 452 (0)
International career
South Africa U23 8 (0)
2001 South Africa 2 (0)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals

Career

Son of Welsh parents, Evans started his career at his homeland with Wits University at the age of 18. After 140 league appearances for the South African club, he joined Leeds United on 1 August 1995, for £50,000.[1]

Mainly a backup for John Lukic, Mark Beeney and Nigel Martyn, Evans made no appearances for Leeds United before being released at the end of the 1996–97 season. During his tenure at Elland Road, he had short-term loans to Crystal Palace and Bradford City, also without any playing time.[2]

Evans then returned to South Africa and played for Supersport United, Mamelodi Sundowns and Jomo Cosmos before returning to English football in 2002, after joining Huddersfield Town in March.[1] Four months later, Sheffield Wednesday signed Evans on a free transfer on 12 July 2002 as backup to Kevin Pressman. He made his debut for Wednesday against Derby County on 15 February 2003. Despite conceding two goals in his debut game, Evans had a decent spell at Hillsborough and went on to keep three clean sheets and concede just three goals in his next six games. At the end of the 2002–03 season, however, he fractured his pelvis. His new contract offer was withdrawn and he was released at the end of the season whilst still recovering from his injuries. Several months later he joined Division Two side Rushden & Diamonds where he made five appearances in all competitions before leaving the club on 1 December 2003. Evans then joined Southern League side Bath City in 2004. He retired in 2009 at Bath City F.C.[1]

International career

Evans played eight matches for South Africa under-23. He was called to replace injured Andre Arendse in South Africa's squad before the start of 1998 FIFA World Cup, but had to withdraw with a snapped cruciate ligament to his right knee and was himself replaced by Simon Gopane.

He made two senior appearances, against Mali and Gambia in 2001, in a friendly tournament.[3][4] Although South Africa did not send their first team players, both matches were counted as full internationals.[5]

References
  1. "Leeds United F.C. History".
  2. "Paul Evans".
  3. "Mali shut out South Africa". 13 October 2001. Retrieved 19 October 2018.
  4. "International Matches 2001 – Africa". Rec.Sport.Soccer Statistics Foundation. Retrieved 19 October 2018.
  5. "Bamako Tournament (Mali) 2001". Rec.Sport.Soccer Statistics Foundation. Retrieved 19 October 2018.
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