Robert Evans (footballer, born 1885)

Robert "Bobby" Ernest Evans (21 November 1885 – 28 November 1965) was an English professional footballer, who played as a left-winger for Aston Villa (1906–1908) and Sheffield United (1908–1915). He won the FA Cup with Sheffield United in 1915 and played international football for both Wales and England.

Robert Evans
Personal information
Full name Robert Ernest Evans
Date of birth (1885-11-21)21 November 1885
Place of birth Chester, England
Date of death 28 November 1965(1965-11-28) (aged 80)
Place of death Chester, England
Position(s) Left winger
Youth career
Saltney Ferry F.C.
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
1904–1905 Chester 1 (0)
1905–1906 Wrexham
1906–1908 Aston Villa 16 (4)
1908–1915 Sheffield United 204 (39)
National team
1906–1910 Wales 10 (2)
1911–1912 England 4 (1)
* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only

Career

Evans was born in Chester, England of Welsh parents. He started his football career with Saltney Ferry F.C. In December 1904 he moved to Chester but played just one league and one Welsh Cup match for the club (both against Wrexham) and returned to Saltney Ferry.[1] He was then spotted by the Welsh professional club Wrexham for whom he signed in the summer of 1905, in time for their inaugural season in the Birmingham and District League. He made his debut for Wales in a 2–0 victory over Scotland on 3 March 1906;[2] this was followed by a 1–0 defeat by England a few days later.[3] These performances attracted the attention of Aston Villa who signed him in the summer of 1906 for a fee of £30.

Whilst at Villa he continued to add to his tally of Welsh caps. Despite this, he made only occasional appearances for Villa, playing nine league games in 1906–07 and seven in 1907–08 when Villa finished runners-up in the Football League.

In 1908 he moved (with Peter Kyle for a combined fee of £1100) to Sheffield United where he soon became an automatic first choice player. He continued to appear for Wales until by 1910 he had ten Welsh caps with two goals to his credit. He had played four times against England, the 1–0 loss in 1906, the 1–1 draw in 1907, the 7–1 loss in 1908 and the 1–0 loss in 1910. His final appearance for Wales was against Ireland on 11 April 1910 when he scored twice in a 4–0 victory.[4] It was then discovered that, although both his parents were Welsh, he had been born in Chester and was therefore qualified to play for England.[5]

He then made four appearances for England, all at outside left and all as a Sheffield United player, in 1911 and 1912, including 3–0 and 2–0 victories against Wales. He scored his only England goal on his debut against Ireland on 11 February 1911.[6]

Evans was a member of the Sheffield United team that won the FA Cup in 1915. This was his final competitive appearance for Sheffield United and he retired from playing professionally during the First World War, although he turned out in the Cheshire County League for Crichtons Athletic.[7]

He took up employment at the Shell Mex oil company in Ellesmere Port and turned out for their works team.[5]

He died on 28 November 1965, shortly after his 80th birthday.

Honours
Sheffield United

References
  1. Chas Sumner (1997). On the Borderline: The Official History of Chester City 1885–1997. Yore Publications. pp. stats section. ISBN 1-874427-52-6.
  2. "Scotland 0 Wales 2, 3 March 1906". Welsh Football Data Archive. Retrieved 1 March 2008.
  3. "Wales 0 England 1, 19 March 1906". Welsh Football Data Archive. Retrieved 1 March 2008.
  4. "Wales 4 Ireland 0, 11 April 1910". Welsh Football Data Archive. Retrieved 1 March 2008.
  5. Betts, Graham (2006). England: Player by player. Green Umbrella Publishing. p. 97. ISBN 1-905009-63-1.
  6. "England 2 – Ireland 1, 11 February 1911". www.englandstats.com. Retrieved 1 March 2008.
  7. Chas Sumner (1997). On the Borderline: The Official History of Chester City 1885–1997. Yore Publications. p. 26. ISBN 1-874427-52-6.
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