William Albert Evans (born 1 July 1997) is a Welsh professional footballer who plays as a winger and striker for club Plymouth Argyle.
Club career Early career Evans was born in the Welsh village of Llangedwyn and progressed through the Shrewsbury Town youth system. Evans is from a farming family and, after being released by Shrewsbury, worked on the family farm with his father and brothers whilst playing for Llangedwyn in the Welsh fifth tier.
Evans then enrolled at Cardiff Metropolitan University and played for their football team in the Cymru Premier league after being encouraged by his cousin to go for a trial. After finishing his degree in 2020, Evans applied to be a teacher before being signed by fellow Cymru Premier club Bala Town.
Newport County At the age of 24, Evans turned professional after signing with EFL League Two club Newport County in May 2022 for an undisclosed fee, on a two-year contract with an option for a further year. He made his football league debut for Newport on 30 July 2022 in the starting line up for the 1–1 League Two draw against Sutton United. Evans scored his first goal for Newport on 24 August 2022 in the 3–2 EFL Cup second round win against Portsmouth.
On 28 January 2024, Evans scored Newport's second goal to equalise in their eventual 4–2 FA Cup fourth round defeat to Manchester United of the Premier League. Evans finished the 2023–24 season with 21 League Two goals, and 25 in all competitions. The club triggered a one-year contract extension in May 2024.
Mansfield Town On 6 August 2024, Evans signed for EFL League One team Mansfield Town on a two-year deal for an undisclosed fee.
Plymouth Argyle In August 2026 Evans signed for League One club Plymouth Argyle.
International career On 1 April 2022, Evans made his debut for the Wales C team, scoring twice in the 4–0 win against England C. In September 2023 his Newport manager Graham Coughlan said Evans should be called-up by the Wales national team.
Playing style Evans was deployed by Newport County manager James Rowberry at wing-back for his first two League Two matches, thereafter being selected as a striker alongside Omar Bogle. From October 2022 new Newport County manager Graham Coughlan utilised Evans both as a striker and a wing-back, playing him as a striker in the 2023–24 season due to his goalscoring form.
Career statistics
+ Appearances and goals by club, season and competitionClubSeasonLeagueNational cupLeague cupOtherTotalDivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsCardiff Metropolitan University2016–17Welsh Premier League2850010—2952017–18Welsh Premier League2720040—3122018–19Welsh Premier League2963130—3572019–20Cymru Premier2372100—258Total1072052800012022Bala Town2020–21Cymru Premier31130000—31132021–22Cymru Premier24112000—2611Total55242000005724Newport County2022–23League Two4522021315242023–24League Two46215211315525Total912372326210729Mansfield Town2024–25League One401430102046142025–26League One4494220105111Total84237230309725Plymouth Argyle2026–27League One93002000113Career total3469321616292392103
Honours Individual Newport County Supporters' Player of the Season: 2023–24
References