Jack Evans (Welsh footballer)
Encyclopedia
John Hugh "Jack" Evans (31 January 1889–1971) was a Welsh
professional footballer and Wales
international.
. As a youngster he worked as an apprentice printer while playing for local side Bala Wanderers, despite his three older brothers playing for Bala Press. He joined Wrexham
in 1908 but sustaind a serious shoulder injury and was told he may never play football again. He decided to move to South Wales to continue his work as an apprentice printer and began playing for Cwmparc and was spotted by Cardiff City
, becoming the first player to be officially bought by the club when he signed for six shillings. He made his first appearance for the club on 1 September 1910 in a friendly match to mark the opening of Cardiff's new ground Ninian Park
against Aston Villa
, with Evans scoring the first ever goal at the ground in a 2-1 defeat.
In 1912 he became the first ever Cardiff City player to receive a call-up for the Wales squad
when he was called up to replace Ted Vizard
for a match against Ireland
. In 1913 Evans converted to Judaism, which caused much controversy. Evans possessed a cannonball shot which was eventually nicknamed the "Bala bang" on account of the fearsome power he put into his shots. His shots were so ferocious that one goalkeeper once broke his wrist attempting to stop the ball and a Manchester City
goalkeeper was knocked out cold by another shot. He was a regular for Cardiff during the decade, only leaving the club to serve in World War I
before returning. A consistent scorer he went on to score 52 goals in 170 Southern league appearances before moving into a more orthodox position for Cardiff's entry into the football league in 1920.
Evans eventually left Ninian Park in 1926 to join up with former Cardiff teammate Joe Clennell
at Bristol Rovers
, where he spent two years before retiring. He died in Cardiff
.
His shirt and runners-up medal from the 1925 FA Cup Final
, as well as his first cap for Wales, are now displayed in the boardroom of Cardiff City after being bought at auction by one of the clubs directors, Steve Borley.
Welsh people
The Welsh people are an ethnic group and nation associated with Wales and the Welsh language.John Davies argues that the origin of the "Welsh nation" can be traced to the late 4th and early 5th centuries, following the Roman departure from Britain, although Brythonic Celtic languages seem to have...
professional footballer and Wales
Wales national football team
The Wales national football team represents Wales in international football. It is controlled by the Football Association of Wales , the governing body for football in Wales, and the third oldest national football association in the world. The team have only qualified for a major international...
international.
Career
Evans was born in BalaBala, Gwynedd
Bala is a market town and community in Gwynedd, Wales, and formerly an urban district of the historic county of Merionethshire. It lies at the north end of Bala Lake , 17 miles north-east of Dolgellau, with a population of 1,980...
. As a youngster he worked as an apprentice printer while playing for local side Bala Wanderers, despite his three older brothers playing for Bala Press. He joined Wrexham
Wrexham A.F.C.
Wrexham Football Club are a professional football team based in Wrexham, north-east Wales, who play in the English football pyramid.Founded in 1872, they are one of the oldest surviving football clubs in Britain and the oldest professional club in Wales...
in 1908 but sustaind a serious shoulder injury and was told he may never play football again. He decided to move to South Wales to continue his work as an apprentice printer and began playing for Cwmparc and was spotted by Cardiff City
Cardiff City F.C.
Cardiff City Football Club are a Welsh professional football club based in Cardiff, Wales. The club competes in the English football pyramid and is currently playing in the Football League Championship. Cardiff City is the best supported football club in Wales, averaging approximately 22,500 for...
, becoming the first player to be officially bought by the club when he signed for six shillings. He made his first appearance for the club on 1 September 1910 in a friendly match to mark the opening of Cardiff's new ground Ninian Park
Ninian Park
Ninian Park was a football stadium in Leckwith, Cardiff, Wales. Until 2009, it was the home ground of Cardiff City F.C., who compete in the English Football League Championship...
against Aston Villa
Aston Villa F.C.
Aston Villa Football Club is an English professional association football club based in Witton, Birmingham. The club was founded in 1874 and have played at their current home ground, Villa Park, since 1897. Aston Villa were founder members of The Football League in 1888. They were also founder...
, with Evans scoring the first ever goal at the ground in a 2-1 defeat.
In 1912 he became the first ever Cardiff City player to receive a call-up for the Wales squad
Wales national football team
The Wales national football team represents Wales in international football. It is controlled by the Football Association of Wales , the governing body for football in Wales, and the third oldest national football association in the world. The team have only qualified for a major international...
when he was called up to replace Ted Vizard
Ted vizard
Edward 'Ted' Vizard was a Wales international footballer who became a manager. He spent almost all his playing career at Bolton Wanderers.-Playing career:...
for a match against Ireland
Ireland
Ireland is an island to the northwest of continental Europe. It is the third-largest island in Europe and the twentieth-largest island on Earth...
. In 1913 Evans converted to Judaism, which caused much controversy. Evans possessed a cannonball shot which was eventually nicknamed the "Bala bang" on account of the fearsome power he put into his shots. His shots were so ferocious that one goalkeeper once broke his wrist attempting to stop the ball and a Manchester City
Manchester City F.C.
Manchester City Football Club is an English Premier League football club based in Manchester. Founded in 1880 as St. Mark's , they became Ardwick Association Football Club in 1887 and Manchester City in 1894...
goalkeeper was knocked out cold by another shot. He was a regular for Cardiff during the decade, only leaving the club to serve in World War I
World War I
World War I , which was predominantly called the World War or the Great War from its occurrence until 1939, and the First World War or World War I thereafter, was a major war centred in Europe that began on 28 July 1914 and lasted until 11 November 1918...
before returning. A consistent scorer he went on to score 52 goals in 170 Southern league appearances before moving into a more orthodox position for Cardiff's entry into the football league in 1920.
Evans eventually left Ninian Park in 1926 to join up with former Cardiff teammate Joe Clennell
Joe Clennell
Joseph "Joe" Clennell was an English professional footballer. He was top goalscorer for Blackpool with eighteen goals during his one season at the club. He also played for Blackburn Rovers, Everton, Cardiff City, Stoke City, Bristol Rovers and Rochdale.-References:*...
at Bristol Rovers
Bristol Rovers F.C.
Bristol Rovers Football Club is an English professional football club, based in Bristol, that competes in Football League Two. The team plays its home matches at the Memorial Stadium, in the Horfield area of the city....
, where he spent two years before retiring. He died in Cardiff
Cardiff
Cardiff is the capital, largest city and most populous county of Wales and the 10th largest city in the United Kingdom. The city is Wales' chief commercial centre, the base for most national cultural and sporting institutions, the Welsh national media, and the seat of the National Assembly for...
.
His shirt and runners-up medal from the 1925 FA Cup Final
1925 FA Cup Final
The 1925 FA Cup Final was contested by Sheffield United and Cardiff City at Wembley Stadium. Sheffield United won by a single goal, scored by Fred Tunstall....
, as well as his first cap for Wales, are now displayed in the boardroom of Cardiff City after being bought at auction by one of the clubs directors, Steve Borley.