Gemma Evans (footballer) explained

Gemma Evans
Fullname:Gemma Jayne Evans[1]
Birth Date:1996 8, df=yes
Birth Place:Gelli, Rhondda, Wales
Height:1.7m (05.6feet)
Position:Defender, Forward
Currentclub:Liverpool
Clubnumber:3
Youthclubs1:Ton & Gelli
Youthclubs2:Ferndale Fillies
Youthclubs3:Cambrian
Youthclubs4:Valleys United
Youthclubs5:Port Talbot Town
Years1:2015–2017
Clubs1:Cardiff City
Caps1:52
Goals1:4
Years2:2017–2018
Clubs2:Yeovil Town
Caps2:22
Goals2:1
Years3:2018–2021
Clubs3:Bristol City
Caps3:51
Goals3:2
Years4:2021–2023
Clubs4:Reading
Caps4:41
Goals4:0
Years5:2023–2024
Clubs5:Manchester United
Caps5:12
Goals5:0
Years6:2024–
Clubs6:Liverpool
Caps6:6
Goals6:0
Nationalyears1:2014
Nationalteam1:Wales U19
Nationalcaps1:3
Nationalgoals1:1
Nationalyears2:2016–
Nationalteam2:Wales
Nationalcaps2:67
Nationalgoals2:1
Club-Update:08:07, 1 December 2024 (UTC)
Nationalteam-Update:16 July 2024

Gemma Jayne Evans (born 1 August 1996) is a Welsh footballer who plays as a defender and forward for Women's Super League club Liverpool and the Wales national team.

Early life

Evans was born and raised in Gelli, Rhondda.[2] [3] She starting playing football at age 10 for a local team named Ton & Gelli.[4] At 13, she switched to playing for an all-girls team, Ferndale Fillies which was later renamed Cambrian and then subsequently changed to Valleys United. She then went on to play for Port Talbot Town Ladies for two years [4]

Club career

Cardiff and Yeovil

Evans played for Cardiff City L.F.C. from 2015 to 2017. She joined FA WSL 1 side Yeovil Town on 6 September 2017, alongside Welsh international teammate Chloe Lloyd.[5] [6] She made her Yeovil debut in a 1–0 FA WSL1 defeat away to Bristol City on 30 September 2017.

Bristol City

Evans signed for FA WSL side Bristol City on 20 July 2018,[7] [8] making her debut on 19 August 2018 in an FA Women's League Cup tie against Leicester City and going on to spend three years with the club, scoring twice in 66 appearances; Bristol were relegated to the FA Women's Championship at the end of her final season.

Reading

She then signed for FA WSL side Reading F.C. Women on a free transfer on 5 July 2021.[9] [10] Evans made her Royals debut on the opening day of the 2021–22 FA WSL season, in a 2–0 defeat to Manchester United at Leigh Sports Village on 3 September 2021.[11] She scored her only goal for the club in a 3–1 League Cup win over Crystal Palace on 17 November 2021.[12]

After 51 appearances for Reading over two seasons, Evans was released at the end of the 2022–23 FA WSL season, in which Reading finished in 12th place and were relegated.[13] [14]

Manchester United

On 6 July 2023, Evans signed for Manchester United on 6 July 2023.[15]

She made her United debut on 15 October 2023, in a 1–1 WSL draw with Leicester City.[16] On 12 May 2024, Evans was an unused substitute as the club won its first FA Women's Cup, and its first major trophy, with a 4–0 win over Spurs at Wembley Stadium.[17]

Liverpool

On 16 August 2024, Evans joined Liverpool.[18] She made her debut for the Reds on 22 September 2024 in a 1–1 draw with Leicester City.[19]

International career

Evans made her debut for Wales in a 2–0 defeat to Norway during UEFA Women's Euro 2017 qualifying on 7 June 2016. She won her fiftieth cap on 21 February 2023, in a 0–0 draw with Iceland in the 2023 Pinatar Cup.[20] [21] [22]

Personal life

Evans holds a degree from the University of South Wales.[23]

Career statistics

Club

Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
ClubSeasonLeagueNational CupLeague CupContinentalTotal
DivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoals
Yeovil Town2017–18Women's Super League1800041221
Bristol City2018–19Women's Super League1912040251
2019–20Women's Super League1202050190
2020–21Women's Super League2011061271
Total5125015100712
Reading2021–22Women's Super League2202031271
2022–23Women's Super League1903030250
Total410506100521
Manchester United2023–24Women's Super League120304000190
Liverpool2024–25Women's Super League60002080
Career total1282130313001724

Honours

Manchester United

2023–24[24]

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: List of Players under Written Contract Registered Between 01/07/2018 and 31/07/2018 . The FA . 3 December 2018 . PDF.
  2. Web site: USW Women in Football – Gemma Evans, Welsh footballer. University of South Wales. 15 April 2018.
  3. Web site: Port Talbot Town Ladies v Aberystwyth Town Ladies. Welsh Premier League. 15 April 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20180415190217/http://www.welshpremier.co.uk/MatchReport.ink?matchid=65299. 15 April 2018. dead.
  4. Web site: Sport and Sexism: We Interviewed Boxed Charlene Jones and Footballer Gemma Evans. Ditch the Labels. 15 April 2018.
  5. Web site: We interview Cardiff City Football Player Gemma Evans and Boxer Charlene Jones. 15 April 2018. 6 September 2017.
  6. Web site: Gemma Evans. https://web.archive.org/web/20210512200607/https://www.yeoviltownladies.com/playerProfile/gemma_evans.html. usurped. 12 May 2021. Yeovil Town. 15 April 2018. 6 September 2017.
  7. Web site: Gemma Evans Signs for Bristol City Women FC. Bristol City F.C.. 7 October 2018.
  8. Web site: Bristol City Women sign Gemma Evans and Julie Biesmans agrees new contract. BBC Sport. 7 October 2018.
  9. Web site: Gemma Evans joins the Royals. Reading. 5 July 2021.
  10. Web site: Gemma Evans: Reading sign Wales centre-back after Bristol City departure. BBC Sport. 5 July 2021. 5 November 2024.
  11. Web site: WSL: Manchester United beat Reading in season opener – radio & text. BBC Sport. 3 September 2021. 5 November 2024. Sanders. Emma.
  12. Web site: Match Report: Crystal Palace 1 – 3 Reading Women. Reading WFC. 17 November 2021. 5 November 2024.
  13. News: Glendenning . Barry . 27 May 2023 . Chelsea crowned WSL champions again after 3–0 win at Reading – as it happened . en-GB . the Guardian . 5 November 2024 . 0261-3077.
  14. Web site: Reading FC Women players released as contracts expire. Reading WFC. 29 June 2023. 5 November 2024.
  15. News: United Women sign Gemma Evans . ManUtd.com . Manchester United . 6 July 2023 . 6 July 2023.
  16. News: Evans reacts following United bow . ManUtd.com . Manchester United . 15 October 2023 . 5 November 2024. Holt. Matthew.
  17. Web site: Sanders . Emma . 12 May 2024 . Women's FA Cup final: Manchester United beat Tottenham to win first major trophy . 12 May 2024 . BBC Sport .
  18. Web site: Liverpool FC Women complete signing of Gemma Evans – Liverpool FC . www.liverpoolfc.com . 16 August 2024.
  19. Web site: Liverpool and Leicester draw 1–1 in WSL season-opener. Liverpool FC. Shaw. Chris. 22 September 2024. 9 November 2024.
  20. Web site: Women's Euro 2017 qualifier: Wales 0–2 Norway. Jones. Dafydd. 7 June 2016. 9 November 2024. BBC Sport.
  21. Web site: Pinatar Cup: Gemma Evans feeling 'out of this world' ahead of 50th Wales cap. Marsh. Philip. 17 February 2023. 9 November 2024. BBC Sport.
  22. Web site: Pinatar Cup: Iceland 0–0 Wales – Missed chances cost Wales in goalless draw. Marsh. Philip. 18 February 2023. 9 November 2024. BBC Sport.
  23. Web site: Factfile: All you need to know about Gemma Evans . Liverpool FC . 16 August 2024. 5 November 2024. https://archive.today/20241101232521/https://www.liverpoolfc.com/news/factfile-all-you-need-know-about-gemma-evans. 1 November 2024.
  24. Web site: Sanders . Emma . 12 May 2024 . Women's FA Cup final: Manchester United beat Tottenham to win first major trophy . 12 May 2024 . BBC Sport .