Gareth Evans

Gareth Joseph Evans (born 15 February 1981) is a former professional footballer who played in the Football League as a full back for Leeds United, Huddersfield Town and Blackpool. He was forced to retire at the age of 24 because of a longstanding knee injury.

Career Evans started his career as a trainee at his hometown club Leeds United. In 1997, he was an unused substitute as a Leeds side including future internationals Jonathan Woodgate, Paul Robinson and Harry Kewell won the FA Youth Cup, and he went on to be capped by England at under-18 level. He made his first-team debut in the Olympic Stadium in Munich, as a substitute in a Champions League qualifier against 1860 Munich in August 2000, but made only one more first-team appearance for Leeds before leaving to join Huddersfield Town on a free transfer in August 2001. He assisted the Terriers in finishing in sixth place in Division Two, thus reaching the play-offs. Injury kept him out for the whole of the 2002–03 season, at the end of which he was released.

After a trial with the club, Evans then signed for Blackpool, initially on a monthly contract, then on a one-year deal with an option for a further year. He missed the Seasiders' victory in the 2004 Football League Trophy with a broken foot which cut short his season, but the club still took up the option on his contract. Once he regained his place in the 2004–05 season, he played in a 10-match unbeaten run, but in February 2005 he sustained a knee injury which required surgery. His contract was extended for another year in May 2005, He went on to work in marketing for electronics distributor Premier Farnell.