United in grief… Club’s tribute to legend ‘Wanners’

The Welshpool area has been joined by the wider football community in uniting in grief following the tragic news that former player Wayne Evans has died at the age of just 51.

‘Wanners’ was undoubtedly one of the finest players to have emerged from Mid Wales, chalking up almost 500 league appearances as a professional footballer with Rochdale and Walsall.

He is believed to have died from natural causes at home in the USA where he was living with wife, Bev, and Welshpool Town Football Club have issued a statement:

“All at Welshpool Town FC are shocked by the very sad news of the passing of one of the club's most popular and talented former players: Wayne ‘Wanners’ Evans.

“He was a Welshpool lad, who started his career in the club of his home town as a composed and creative defender. He was, as many of his former Welshpool teammates have said, ‘a club legend’ and it was no surprise that he went on to have such a successful professional career.

“Following his professional career, he returned to the club and set up its coaching structure before moving on to coach at Shrewsbury Town and then on to America. His legacy within the club lives on.

“Besides his footballing talent, he was also a genuinely nice guy, who was liked by all and whose positive and friendly attitude made him a popular figure both on and off the pitch.

“Our thoughts are with his wife and his family.”

TOP PICTURE: Photographer Phil Blagg was at the FA Cup match between Manchester United and Walsall when 'Wanners' was tasked with marking Andy Cole.