HE learnt from one of the toughest defenders around in Chris Morgan, but Ioan Evans knew it was time to leave the Under-21 bubble behind and experience men’s football with Gainsborough Trinity.
The 19-year-old was at League One side Sheffield United from the age of 10, and spent a year pro before leaving in March.
That was with the ringing of imposing centre-back Morgan – who captained the Blades in the Premier League and is now U21 manager – to get games under his belt.
“He was the U21s manager when I was there, and he had me under his wing when I was a first year pro,” Evans said. “You only have to spend a couple of hours with him and you’re learning.
“He said to make sure I play as much as I can, especially when you’re young, at whatever level then you’ll figure out what level you’re ready for.
“I prefer men’s football to U21s, which is less result based. It was good playing for them, but playing Non-League football is just more ‘proper’, if that makes sense. There’s bigger crowds and if you win it means even more. You come up against some really experience strikers, who will beat you up a bit more too.
“I want to play as much as I can and hopefully, as a team, we can put some results together. Then you never know where we might end up.”
Evans, who left Sheffield United in March and has had a loan spell at Boston United, spent time playing in Sweden for Ange IF before joining National League North Trinity.
And he thinks the experience has helped his game.
“It was more for a life experience than the football,” Evans said. “It’s a beautiful country, the lifestyle is brilliant, and the football was good too. There were a couple of other English lads in the team, so I lived with them, and it went well.
“Experiencing a different style of football can only help your game. It’s a bit different to over here and I really enjoyed it.”
