Former Wales International Evans Set To Join Rhyl

Rhyl manager Allan Bickerstaff has revealed he is set to bring in experienced midfielder Paul Evans for Rhyl's European campaign, writes Dave Joens of Lilywhites Online.

Oswestry-born Evans, 34, has won two caps for Wales and was last registered with Unibond League club Halifax Town. The midfield man has made well over 400 Football League appearances since beginning his career with Shrewsbury Town in 1993. He made nearly 200 starts for the Shrews before leaving Gay Meadow after six years' service. West London club Brentford signed him for £110,000 in 1999 and it was while there that he gained his first Welsh cap.

It was also while at Brentford that Evans famously scored goals in consecutive games from the half way line, first at home to Preston North End, then at Burnley. After three years with the Bees, for whom he scored 31 goals in 130 matches, he had stints at Bradford City and Blackpool before signing for Nottingham Forest on loan in 2004.

After a month at the City Ground, Forest paid £25,000 for his services on a permanent basis. He proved to be a bargain buy as he was one of the best performers in Joe Kinnear's side that was relegated at the end of the 2004-05 season.

Evans will be remembered at the City Ground for his goal against West Ham shortly after Brian Clough had died. This goal set Forest on the way to victory. Shortly before their relegation, Gary Megson took charge of Forest, and in the 2005-06 season he was frozen out of Megson's plans.
After 45 appearances and four goals in his first season with Forest, Evans was not allowed to play reserve-team football and lost his fitness as a result.

Then-Rotherham United boss and former Forest caretaker chief Mick Harford took him on loan to help regain his fitness. After only four appearances with the Millers, he suffered a knee injury. When Megson left Forest and Ian McParland and Frank Barlow took charge, Evans continued training with Forest again and played a few reserve games; however, he was released at the end of the season.

We've got him on board for Europe and will assess things after that after having a good look at him

In July 2006, Evans was given a trial by Swindon Town boss Dennis Wise. He made his first appearance for the Town in a 1-1 draw against Reading and was subsequently offered a one-year deal, which he accepted. Evans soon became an integral part of Swindon's midfield, scoring a number of vital goals including a 40-yard free kick against Wrexham.

Short stays at Rotherham and Bradford followed before Evans dropped out of the Football League and joined Oxford United in 2008. He played just three games for the Conference National squad before joining Halifax.

"We've got him on board for Europe and will assess things after that after having a good look at him," said Bickerstaff.

The Rhyl coach is also in the process of signing a young defender from Chester City.