Dan Evans is the No 1 choice as goalkeeper for Haverfordwest County’s successful McWhirter Youth League team and travels to every first-team match in the Welsh League as cover for veteran custodian Craig Morris.
It is just one indication of his determination to succeed in football, along with the fact that he never misses a training session, despite having to travel to the Conygar Bridge Meadow Stadium from his home in Saundersfoot, and never gives less than 100%.
Steve is full of praise
Small wonder then that Steve Batty, the coach for the Young Bluebirds, is full of praise for his young keeper.
“Dan is an excellent shot stopper who takes control of his penalty area by very good communication with his back four defenders.
“He trains really hard and is ever-ready to listen to advice – and so is a good role model for other youngsters who come into our set-up to follow.”
Early start – and goalkeeper by accident
Dan started out in the game as a nipper alongside his cousin, Elliott Scotcher, whose father Gavin is well-known as a former rugby player and footballer in Tenby. He played for Tenby Juniors and was well looked after by Kevin Ferney.
He set out as a midfield player but went between the sticks almost by accident when the regular keeper failed to turn up for a match and Dan volunteered to don the gloves – and has stayed in goal ever since!
Great family support – and early success
When Dan began to show his undoubted promise in the game he was lucky that parents, Shon and Melanie, gave him every help.
“They were the best taxi drivers ever,” said Dan with a chuckle, “and they are also doing a brilliant job with my brother Joe (14), who is a promising defender in the junior set-up at Tenby.”
His performances eventually caught the attention of the local Swansea City scout and Dan played for their local development squad for a couple of seasons, playing mainly against other squads from all over South Wales.
Then he joined the Cardiff City Development Squad based in Carmarthen, after a recommendation by Kevin Ferney, and really enjoyed his involvement until they decided to close down the age group, so Dan decided to join the Haverfordwest County academy side run by Bernie Steer and Matthew Price.
Real enjoyment at the Conygar Bridge Meadow Stadium
He played so well that he was selected for the Welsh under 15s squad but sadly didn’t get a game – but kept battling away and was soon a regular member of the Bluebirds’ youth team playing in the McWhirter League.
“Steve Batty and Colin Fawcett were brilliant coaches who showed they believed in me, and Steve is still very much the boss today, He even got us to play bingo at the supporters club’s evening before Christmas as a bonding exercise – and we won loads of turkeys as prizes.”
Trials with top teams
Last season saw Dan invited to attend trials at Tottenham Hotspur for three days in North London, training with Spurs’ under 21 squad.
“They recommended I should also try Cheltenham Town, who put me up in a hotel for the week and I played for their youth team in a 2-1 win over Northampton Town.
“Cheltenham offered me a schoolboy development contract,“ Dan told us, “but although I was tempted I decided against it because it wasn’t quite right for me at the time.”
Great start to a new season
This season got off to a great start as the Young Bluebirds won their first five league matches before going down to a surprise 5-4 defeat against garden Village.
“We had already lost 3-1 to Swansea City Youth in the Welsh Cup but we played well against a team that is full of professional players and we were in with a shout until the closing minutes, when they grabbed their third goal.
Deserved Welsh honours for Dan
Ask Dan about highlights so far and he would be bound to say that representing Wales at under 19 level was special, particularly since he has another two years in this age group.
“The South Wales trial took place at Dragon Park, Newport,” said Dan, “and after that I was picked for the North versus South trial at Cardiff Met, which we won 3-0 so I knew I was in with a good chance of being picked – and it was great when I was told I was in the team.
“We played against Scotland at Clyde AFC, who have a massive stadium, excellent facilities and a good pitch – and it was an amazing feeling to pull on my Welsh jersey and sing the national anthem before the game. My Haverfordwest team mates were also there, with Simon Williams starting the match and Laurie Haworth playing in the final quarter.
“We did brilliantly to win 4-2 and both opposition goals were one-on-one efforts where I had little chance – and I was really chuffed afterwards to be told that I would also be in the team to take on England in the new year at St George’s Park, the new training home of the full English team.”
Other sports and academic report
Outside of his football, Dan also enjoys some golf at Trefloyne when football allows, and loves running as a means of helping to keep fit, having taken part in several 10K races around the Tenby area.
Another sporting involvement comes from his studies at the Pembrokeshire College, where he is working hard with Steve Briers on his ‘Sports Coaching’ course, where he not only specialises in football but has to learn all about developing skills, anatomy, physiology, diet and massage.
Total commitment to the Bluebirds
Going back to the Bluebirds for a moment, Dan has shown typical commitment by always being available as understudy to veteran first team goalkeeper Craig Morris in every Welsh League match, home and away,
He made his debut at 16 against Goytre, in Gwent, and won the man of the match award. So far this season he has played in five matches.
“Wayne Jones and Sean Cresser have been superb to me as managers because they keep me up to date and Craig Morris has helped me no end with his tips in the pre-match warming-up sessions.”
More honours in the pipeline?
His efforts have also brought more good news recently and after attending trials for the Welsh under 18s at Port Talbot he has been selected for the final squad of 24 from which the eventual team will be picked.
“It’s no secret that I would love to be a professional footballer,” admitted Dan, “so I know that I have to give everything so that at least I have my best chance.”
It is easy to see his total commitment and we join Steve Batty, Wayne Jones, Steve Batty and club chairman David Hughes in wishing the modest and unassuming Dan Evans every success in achieving his future targets!