Evans Nolan Image 1 Clapton Orient 1913

Description

Ashton-in-Makerfield, Lancashire born left back Nolan “Peggy” Evans began his football career with Brynn Central, and played for Lancashire Combination club St Helens Recreation in 1909 from where he was signed by Southern League club Exeter City in the 1910 close season, making his debut for Exeter City in the opening match of the Southern League season, a goalless draw at home to Brentford on 2nd September 1910. Evans became the first ever City player to be capped whilst on the books at the club, when he appeared for Wales at amateur level in 1910.

After making a total of 29 League appearances, scoring once in a 4-2 home win over Luton Town in March 1911, the following season, 1911-12, he added another goal, coincidentally again against Luton, this time from the penalty spot, in a 2-0 home win, as well as making 34 League appearances. Having made a total of 63 appearances for The Grecians, he was signed by Second Division club Clapton Orient in the 1912 close season, and made his Football League debut at Preston North End that September. Evans was a near ever present in Orient’s line up in the final three seasons before the onset of the First World War forced the suspension of peacetime football in May 1915. He missed only one match per season each season, scoring once, in a win over Leeds City in March 1914, in 116 appearances for The O’s.

During the War he served with the 17th (Service) Battalion of the Duke of Cambridge’s Own, Middlesex Regiment, better known as The Footballer’s Battalion. He was wounded in the thigh at Delville Wood in 1916 and nearly lost the leg as a result. He was wounded again in March 1918 and the effects of his wounds caused his retirement from football.