Jack Evans
Played football for Wrexham, Cardiff and Wales.
- Born:
-
31
JAN
1889
- Died:
-
1971
- Place of Birth:
- Bala, Gwynedd
- Biography:
-
Born in Y Bala, Evans played for Wrexham from 1908-09.
He began playing for Bala Wanderers before moving to Welshpool then Wrexham. While at Wrexham he suffered an injury to his shoulder and was told he might never play again. He moved to the county of Glamorgan to take up a job as a printer and began competing in amateur football, playing for Cwmparc near Aberdare while his shoulder injury improved. At this time he came to the attention of Cardiff City. He became the first ever professional signed by Cardiff, for the princely sum of six shillings! Ninian Park, Cardiff was opened on September 1 1910 and Evans scored the first goal for Cardiff in their first match at the ground, a friendly against Aston Villa. Cardiff eventually lost the game 2-1. After serving in the Army during the First World War, Evans returned to play for Cardiff and during that time he also played for the Welsh national side. He gained the nickname the 'Bala Bang' because of his powerful shots and became known for his accuracy, which was attributed to his coaching by Billy Meredith, Wales' first football superstar. Evans' career at Ninian Park ended in 1925 and he eventually retired from football in 1928. He died in Cardiff in 1971. G. H. Jones nominated Jack Evans for the Hall of Fame and provided information and Evans' picture for this portrait.
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