Rhys Evans

2.1.1. Chelsea and Early Loan Spells

Rhys Evans commenced his professional career in 1998 with Chelsea. Despite spending five years with the club, he never made a first-team appearance before his release in 2003. During his tenure at Chelsea, he gained playing experience through several loan spells. In February 2000, he joined Bristol Rovers, playing four games. From November 2001 to April 2002, he was on loan at Queens Park Rangers, where he made eleven appearances. He also had a loan period with Leyton Orient from August to November 2002, featuring in seven matches. Prior to the 2002-03 season, Evans also underwent a trial with AFC Bournemouth, where his performance was noted, but he ultimately chose to join Leyton Orient instead.

2.1.2. Swindon Town

In August 2003, despite attracting interest from Premier League club Bolton Wanderers, Evans instead opted to join his hometown club, Swindon Town, on a free transfer. His debut for Swindon Town occurred on 12 August 2003, in a League Cup fixture against Southend United, which Swindon won by a score of 3-2. He made his league debut on 30 August 2003, in a 2-2 draw with Blackpool. Evans quickly established himself as the club's first-choice goalkeeper for the remainder of the 2003-04 season, only missing one match due to a back injury.

During the 2004-05 season, Evans continued as the primary goalkeeper until April 2005 when he was temporarily dropped after a match against Luton Town, though he was reinstated after just one game. With his contract nearing its end, he declined an offer from Leeds United, choosing instead to sign a one-year contract extension with Swindon. The 2005-06 season began challenging for Evans, as he suffered a knee injury but was compelled to play through the pain in early matches due to the absence of a reserve goalkeeper. Swindon Town's subsequent loan signing of Tom Heaton from Manchester United until January 2006 allowed Evans to undergo exploratory surgery on his knee. He also undertook rehabilitation at the Lilleshall centre before making his return to the first team in late 2005, where he once again solidified his position. Despite his efforts, the season concluded with Swindon Town's relegation to Football League Two. Individually, Evans received widespread recognition for his performance, winning all of the club's "player of the season" awards for the 2005-06 campaign.

2.1.3. Blackpool

Following the 2005-06 season, with his contract at Swindon Town expiring, Evans declined a new one-year offer from incoming manager Dennis Wise, citing his ambition to play at a higher level than Football League Two. On 1 July 2006, he joined Blackpool on a free transfer, signing a two-year contract.

Evans made 39 consecutive appearances during the 2006-07 league season. However, on 27 February 2006, he was dropped by Blackpool manager Simon Grayson in favor of loanee Paul Rachubka for an away match against Oldham Athletic, a game in which Rachubka secured a 1-0 victory and a clean sheet. In April 2007, Evans suffered a hernia injury that necessitated surgery, sidelining him until May. The simultaneous injuries to Rachubka and Blackpool's third-choice goalkeeper, Lewis Edge, prompted Blackpool to bring in Joe Hart from Manchester City as an emergency loan signing.

Following Blackpool's promotion to the Football League Championship, Paul Rachubka, who had by then joined the club permanently, maintained his position as the first-choice goalkeeper. Evans's limited appearances in the first half of the 2007-08 season were exclusively in the League Cup. He played against Premier League club Derby County on 28 August 2007, a match Blackpool won on penalties after a 2-2 draw in extra time. He also featured in the subsequent round against Southend United, which Blackpool won 2-1 after extra time.

On 5 October 2007, Evans was loaned to Football League Two club Bradford City for a month, aiming to revitalize his career. He made his Bradford debut against Milton Keynes Dons, marking his first league start since February. Yet, after just four games, he returned to Blackpool following a left shoulder injury sustained in a 1-1 draw with Grimsby Town on 27 October 2007. During his loan spell at Bradford, Evans sparked controversy by publicly criticizing Blackpool fans in an interview with the Telegraph & Argus, stating, "We don't like each other." Upon his return, Blackpool manager Simon Grayson warned Evans that he would have to face the consequences of his comments.

2.1.4. Millwall

On 22 January 2008, Rhys Evans signed a free transfer deal with Millwall, agreeing to a contract that lasted until the conclusion of the 2007-08 season. In his debut for Millwall, he conceded two late goals, leading to a 2-2 draw against Nottingham Forest after Millwall had held a two-goal lead. Throughout the season, Evans played in 21 league matches and one FA Cup game for Millwall. Although the club successfully avoided relegation, manager Kenny Jackett chose not to extend Evans's contract beyond the 2007-08 season.

2.1.5. Bradford City

In July 2008, Rhys Evans was given an opportunity to return to Bradford City under manager Stuart McCall, who offered him a trial. After participating in several pre-season friendlies, Evans signed a one-year contract with the club on 1 August 2008, ahead of the 2008-09 season. He made his debut in the season's opening match, where Bradford City secured a 2-1 victory against Notts County, largely due to Evans making several crucial saves.

Evans became a regular starter for City, ahead of reserve goalkeeper Jonathan McLaughlin. His performances drew commendation from manager McCall, who notably compared one of Evans's saves against Rotherham United to those made by the legendary former England international goalkeeper David Seaman. Towards the end of the year, Evans achieved four consecutive clean sheets, a feat just one short of a club record, before finally conceding a deflected free-kick against Accrington Stanley. This strong run of form led Evans to express interest in securing a longer contract with the club. The 2008-09 season also saw him break his personal record for the most clean sheets in a single season.

Evans was an ever-present figure in Bradford City's league and cup matches. He was initially expected to miss his first game in February after sustaining a thigh injury during a match against Darlington. However, when reserve keeper Jonathan McLaughlin suffered a concussion in a reserve game, Evans continued to play despite his thigh strain. He was eventually released from his contract on 6 May 2009, as the club needed to reduce its wage budget.

2.1.6. Later Clubs (Bristol Rovers, Southend United, Staines Town, Exeter City, Hereford United)

Following his departure from Bradford City, Rhys Evans joined several other clubs to continue his playing career.

• Bristol Rovers**: Evans undertook a trial with Bristol Rovers, eventually signing a short-term contract. This marked his second spell at the club, having previously played for them on loan from Chelsea in 2000. He made his second debut for Rovers in the first round of the League Cup against Aldershot Town, conceding a penalty but also making vital saves to secure passage to the next round. His appearances during this period were influenced by the unavailability of other goalkeepers; Steve Phillips was discussing a move to Turkey and Fraser Forster was cup-tied from his loan spell. He also played in the following League Cup round against Cardiff City, a 2-1 league defeat against Wycombe Wanderers, and a JPT defeat at Hereford United. On the 2009 transfer deadline day, he signed a new one-year deal. Evans made a total of eight appearances for Rovers, including four cup matches, before being released along with fourteen other players at the close of the 2009-10 season.

• Southend United**: On 22 July 2010, Evans signed a one-year contract with Southend United. At the beginning of the season, he was positioned as second-choice goalkeeper behind Glenn Morris. He made his debut in the Football League Trophy against Gillingham on 31 August 2010. His league debut for Southend came on 1 January 2011, in a 2-0 victory over Oxford United. In May 2011, Evans was informed that his contract would not be extended, making him one of five players released by the club.

• Staines Town**: After his release, Evans spent a portion of the 2011-12 campaign training with Conference National side Forest Green Rovers. Subsequently, he joined Conference South team Staines Town, where he remained until the end of the 2011-12 season.

• Exeter City**: On 18 June 2012, Exeter City announced the signing of Evans on a one-year contract. He was released by the club on 30 April 2013, upon the expiration of his contract.

• Hereford United**: Following a successful trial, Evans agreed to join Hereford United on 1 August 2013.