Jonny Evans

For other people named Jonathan Evans, see Jonathan Evans (disambiguation).

Jonny Evans

Evans pictured in 2009
Personal information
Full name Jonathan Grant Evans[1]
Date of birth (1988-01-03) 3 January 1988
Place of birth Belfast, Northern Ireland
Height 1.89 m (6 ft 2 in)[2]
Playing position Defender
Club information
Current team
 West Bromwich Albion
Number 6
Youth career
2004–2006 Manchester United
Senior career*
Years Team Apps† (Gls)†
2006–2015 Manchester United 131 (4)
2006 → Royal Antwerp (loan) 11 (2)
2006–2007 → Sunderland (loan) 18 (1)
2008 → Sunderland (loan) 15 (0)
2015– West Bromwich Albion 16 (1)
National team‡
Northern Ireland U16 6 (0)
2004–2005 Northern Ireland U17 8 (1)
2006 Northern Ireland U21 3 (0)
2006– Northern Ireland 41 (1)

* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only and correct as of 2 January 2016.
† Appearances (goals)

‡ National team caps and goals correct as of 21:54, 6 June 2015 (UTC)

Jonathan Grant "Jonny" Evans (born 3 January 1988) is a Northern Irish professional footballer who plays as a defender for Premier League club West Bromwich Albion and the Northern Ireland national team. Evans was born in Belfast and started his career at Greenisland FC, where he was spotted by Manchester United scouts. He progressed through Manchester United's football Academy to play in several foreign tours in the summer of 2006. He then went on loan to Royal Antwerp and had two spells with Sunderland. He made his Manchester United first team debut in the 2007–08 League Cup, becoming a regular first-team squad member the following season. Despite his young age, Evans is already the second most decorated player in Northern Irish football history with nine major trophies.[3]

Club career

Manchester United

Evans was scouted while playing for Greenisland FC, the same club that his brother Corry and Craig Cathcart played for before moving to Manchester United.[4][5] At the age of nine, he was invited to attend the Manchester United Centre of Excellence in Belfast, before being invited for a trial in Manchester a year later. Rule changes within The Football Association at the time meant that clubs were limited to players who lived within an hour and a half of the club, so Evans' opportunities were limited. However, the Evans family soon relocated to Manchester, allowing Jonny to train with Manchester United full-time. Evans progressed through Manchester United's Academy, featuring in two of the club's three games during the 2006 summer tour of South Africa, as well as domestic friendlies against Celtic and Preston North End. Evans also made a surprise appearance in the Amsterdam Tournament against Ajax. Evans spent the first half of the 2006–07 season on loan at Manchester United's Belgian feeder club Royal Antwerp, alongside fellow youngsters Darron Gibson, Danny Simpson and Fraizer Campbell.

Sunderland loans

In December 2006, Evans agreed to join Sunderland on loan until the end of the 2006–07 season,[6] with Manchester United and Antwerp team-mate Danny Simpson joining on a similar deal in the January transfer window. The pair helped Sunderland clinch the Football League Championship title, with Evans winning the club's "Youth Player of the Year" award at the end of the season. Although manager Roy Keane was hopeful of re-signing Evans on loan following promotion to the Premier League, it was confirmed in June 2007 that Evans would be staying at Manchester United to push for a place in the first team.[7]

On 4 January 2008, Evans rejoined Sunderland on loan for the second time, and was immediately drafted into the first team squad.[8] Evans played the 90 minutes in his first game, losing 3–0 to Wigan Athletic in the FA Cup. Evans was criticised for granting Wigan the second goal of the game, for which he lost the ball on the edge of his own box, resulting in a deflected own goal by Paul McShane.[9] His half-season with Sunderland was generally successful, however, and the team avoided relegation.

Return to Manchester United

Evans made his Manchester United debut on 26 September 2007 against Coventry City in the Football League Cup. Unfortunately, his debut ended in a 2–0 defeat. He then appeared as a late substitute for Gerard Piqué in a UEFA Champions League match at home to Dynamo Kyiv on 7 November 2007 to secure Manchester United's qualification to the knockout stage of the competition. He subsequently made his first Champions League start on 12 December 2007 against Roma.

Evans made his league debut for United against Chelsea on 21 September 2008, filling in for Nemanja Vidić who was unavailable due to suspension. The game ended 1–1.[10] In December 2008, Evans made two substitute appearances for Manchester United at the FIFA Club World Cup, including one in the final after Nemanja Vidić was sent off shortly after half time. Evans continued to deputise throughout the rest of the season, appearing in a number of league games and in the League Cup final.

At the beginning of the 2010–11 football season, Evans became a regular fixture in the United team, partnering Nemanja Vidić in the centre of defence in the absence of the injured Rio Ferdinand. On 19 March 2011, Evans injured Bolton Wanderers and United States international Stuart Holden with a tackle which left Holden out for six months which eventually got worse and caused him to be slidelined for 22 months. Despite Evans being given a straight red card for the tackle, Manchester United went on to win the game 1–0 with a Dimitar Berbatov goal.[11]

2011–12 season

Before the start of the 2011–12 season, Evans was handed the number 6 shirt after Wes Brown was transferred to Sunderland.[12] On 14 August, he wore his new shirt number for the first time in United's opening day 2–1 win at West Bromwich Albion, he came on for the injured Nemanja Vidić in the 52nd minute at The Hawthorns.[13] On 23 October, he was sent off in United's 6–1 defeat against Manchester City after bringing down Mario Balotelli in a last-man challenge.[14] Evans made his 100th appearance for the Red Devils on 30 November, he played the full 120 minutes as United lost 2–1 to Championship side Crystal Palace in the League Cup quarter final.[15] On 18 March 2012, he scored his first goal for United after opening the scoring in the 5–0 league win at Wolverhampton Wanderers.[16] Evans missed the final 3 games of the season with a foot injury.[17]

2012–13 season

Having undergone surgery to repair an ankle injury at the end of last season, Evans was unable to start pre-season training until early August, but there was speculation that he might be playing Manchester United's second game against Fulham.[18] Evans scored his second goal for the club in a 3–0 away win at Newcastle United on 7 October 2012, thumping home a header from a Robin van Persie corner kick. On 23 October, Evans scored his first goal in the UEFA Champions League and first at Old Trafford in a 3–2 victory over Braga. He scored the equalising goal at 2–2, scrambling home from a corner kick. Evans netted his third goal of the season on 24 November 2012 in a 3–1 win, heading in the equaliser against Queens Park Rangers at Old Trafford from a corner.[19] On 21 December 2012, Evans signed a new contract with United which will keep him at the club until June 2016.[20] Evans scored his third league goal of the season and fourth overall on Boxing Day against Newcastle United, tapping home after Javier Hernandez's shot had been saved by Tim Krul.

2014–15 season

On 7 March 2015, Evans received a six-match ban following a spitting altercation with Newcastle United striker Papiss Cisse.[21]

West Bromwich Albion

Evans signed for Premier League club West Bromwich Albion for an undisclosed fee on 29 August 2015.[22] Evans scored his first West Brom goal in a 2-1 victory over Stoke City.[23]

International career

Despite having not yet made his senior debut for Manchester United, Evans was called up to the Northern Ireland squad for the first time in September 2006, making his debut in the memorable 3–2 victory over Spain. Evans has since retained his place in the squad.[24]

Personal life

Evans' younger brother, Corry, is a footballer who plays as midfielder for Blackburn Rovers.

Evans attended Belfast High School in Newtownabbey, Northern Ireland, before moving to Ashton-on-Mersey High School in Manchester once he had been signed by Manchester United. He holds nine GCSEs, all A* or A grades.[25]

On 19 December 2007, Evans was arrested in connection to an alleged rape that occurred at the hotel where Manchester United's Christmas party was held.[26] On 8 March 2008, it was reported that Evans would not be prosecuted for any offence.[27]

On 1 June 2013, Evans married Helen McConnell, a MUTV reporter, at Clough Presbyterian Church.[28] This couple have a daughter named Lottie, born on 15 May 2014.[29]

Career statistics

Statistics accurate as of match played on 4 Jan 2016.[30]

Club

Club Season League FA Cup League Cup Europe Other[nb 1] Total
AppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoals
Royal Antwerp (loan) 2006–07 11230–––142
Total 11230–––142
Sunderland (loan) 2006–07 1811000––191
2007–08 1501000––160
Total 3312000––351
Manchester United 2006–07 00000000–00
2007–08 000010200030
2008–09 17030507020340
2009–10 18010503010280
2010–11 13020203010210
2011–12 29110108010401
2012–13 233200051–304
2013–14 17010413100252
2014–15 1402010––170
Total 1314120191312501987
West Bromwich Albion 2015–16 1610000––161
Career total 19181701913125026311
  1. ↑ Includes other competitive competitions, including the FA Community Shield, UEFA Super Cup, FIFA Club World Cup

International

Statistics accurate as of match played 6 October 2012.[31]

Northern Ireland national team
YearAppsGoals
200630
200750
200870
200951
201040
201140
201230
Total311

Honours

Club

Sunderland
Manchester United

References

  1. ↑ "Premier League clubs submit squad lists" (PDF). PremierLeague.com (Premier League). 2 February 2012. p. 23. Retrieved 2 February 2012.
  2. ↑ "Jonny Evans". ManUtd.com. Manchester United. Retrieved 7 July 2011.
  3. ↑ http://www.soccer-ireland.com/footbal-miscellany/decorated-footballers.htm
  4. ↑ Ducker, James (20 December 2007). "Rising star, Jonny Evans, who signed up with dream club, Manchester United, as a 9-year-old". The Times (London: Times Newspapers). Retrieved 6 September 2009.
  5. ↑ "Roll of Honour". greenislandboysfc.com. Greenisland Boys FC. Retrieved 6 September 2009.
  6. ↑ "Sunderland clinch Evans loan deal". BBC Sport. 29 December 2006. Retrieved 19 December 2007.
  7. ↑ "Evans delivers Sunderland blow". BBC Sport. 6 June 2007. Retrieved 19 December 2007.
  8. ↑ "Evans heads to Sunderland on loan". BBC Sport. 4 January 2008. Retrieved 4 January 2008.
  9. ↑ "Sunderland 0–3 Wigan". BBC Sport. 5 January 2008. Retrieved 6 January 2008.
  10. ↑ McNulty, Phil (21 September 2008). "Chelsea 1–1 Man Utd". BBC Sport. Retrieved 23 September 2008.
  11. ↑ "Bolton's Stuart Holden out for six months after Jonny Evans tackle". The Guardian (London). 21 March 2011.
  12. ↑ "Evans feeling positive". ManUtd.com. 31 August 2011.
  13. ↑ "West Brom 1–2 Man Utd". BBC Sport. 14 August 2011.
  14. ↑ "Man Utd 1–6 Man City". BBC Sport. 23 October 2011.
  15. ↑ "Man Utd 1–2 Crystal Palace (AET)". BBC Sport. 30 November 2011.
  16. ↑ "Wolves 0–5 Man United". BBC Sport. 18 March 2012.
  17. ↑ Custis, Neil (23 August 2012). "Evans help us". The Sun. Retrieved 24 August 2012.
  18. ↑ Ogden, Mark. "Papers: Evans back for Fulham?". ManUtd.com. Retrieved 24 August 2012.
  19. ↑ Jurejko, Jonathan. "Man Utd 3–1 QPR". BBC Sport. Retrieved 25 November 2012.
  20. ↑ "New deal for Evans". Manchester United Official Website. 21 December 2012. Retrieved 21 December 2012.
  21. ↑ "Jonny Evans banned for six games, Papiss Cisse for seven". BBC Sport. 7 March 2015. Retrieved 8 March 2015.
  22. ↑ "Jonny Evans: West Brom seal deal for Man Utd for defender". BBC Sport. 29 August 2015. Retrieved 29 August 2015.
  23. ↑ "West Bromwich Albion 2-1 Stoke City". BBC. Retrieved 2016-01-04.
  24. ↑ "Northern Ireland 3–2 Spain". BBC Sport. 6 September 2006. Retrieved 19 December 2007.
  25. ↑ "Manchester News – Jonathan Evans". Latest News. Greenisland F.C. Archived from the original on 6 February 2008. Retrieved 19 December 2007.
  26. ↑ "Man Utd star bailed in rape probe". BBC News Online. 19 December 2007. Retrieved 19 December 2007.
  27. ↑ Griffiths, Peter (14 March 2008). "Man United defender Evans won't face rape charges". Reuters. Retrieved 14 March 2008.
  28. ↑ Stone, Simon (14 May 2013). "Jonny Evans turns red as fiancée puts him on the spot". Belfast Telegraph. Retrieved 28 May 2013.
  29. ↑ "RED DEVILS WAGS - Lottie Evans :: Tumblr". 17 August 2014. Retrieved 17 August 2014.
  30. ↑ Endlar, Andrew. "Jonny Evans". StretfordEnd.co.uk. Retrieved 8 March 2011.
  31. ↑ "Jonny Evans". National Football Teams. Retrieved 8 March 2011.

External links

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