Wanners pitch tribute revealed as footballer's funeral held

Welshpool hosted one of its biggest ever funerals this afternoon, where it was confirmed that a wonderful long-lasting tribute will be made by the town to one of its favourite sons.

Wayne ‘Wanners’ Evans died suddenly of natural causes earlier this month in his American home, aged just 51, and hundreds turned out today to honour the former Welshpool footballer at a packed St Mary’s Church.

Former teammates of the Walsall, Rochdale and Kidderminster Harriers player joined friends and family from the area for a funeral that included touching tributes read by his former Welshpool youth manager, Clive Harding, friend and former local football manager Graham Breeze, and former Walsall teammate Adi Viveash, the current Assistant Manager at Coventry City.

Mr Breeze revealed during his eulogy that the new pitches being finalised at Maesydre will be named the Wayne Evans Playing Fields.

Welshpool Town Club Secretary Eva Bredsdorff explained: “Shortly after we heard the dreadful news, suggestions from within Welshpool Town FC came forward of naming the club’s new pitches in his honour.

“The name Wayne Evans Playing Fields was agreed at the club’s AGM and this seems a most befitting name, not just in term of Wanners’ playing ability but also in recognition of his work as a junior coach both at Welshpool and Shrewsbury as well as in North America.

“Wayne Evans was a particularly gifted and talented player reflected in his career at Walsall and Rochdale. He was also a highly respected and inspiring coach, who understood how to get the best out of any player, irrespective of age and ability.

“The club is extremely proud of Wayne and his achievements - a great role model for players and coaches - and we are delighted to be able to honour him in this way.”

Last week, almost 2,000 fans watched a memorial match played between two of his former clubs - Walsall and Rochdale.