Clifford Haudel "Cliff" Evans (14 July 1913 – July 1982) was a Welsh professional rugby league footballer who played in the 1930s and 1940s, and coached in the 1950s, 1960s and 1970s. He played at representative level for Wales, and at club level for Salford and Leeds, as a centre, stand-off, or scrum-half,[2][4] and coached at club level for Swinton, St. Helens and Salford.[5][6]
Personal information | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| Full name | Clifford Haudel Evans[1] | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Born | 14 July 1913 Resolven, Wales | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Died | 17 July 1982 (aged 69) Wiltshire, England | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Playing information | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Position | Centre, Stand-off, Scrum-half | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Coaching information | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Background
editCliff Evans was born in Resolven, Glamorgan, and he died aged 69 in Wiltshire.
Playing career
editSalford
editEvans made his debut for Salford in October 1933.[7]
Evans was one of the players who successfully toured in France with Salford in 1934, during which the Salford team earned the name "Les Diables Rouges", the seventeen players were; Joe Bradbury, Bob Brown, Aubrey Casewell, Paddy Dalton, Bert Day, Cliff Evans, Jack Feetham, George Harris, Barney Hudson, Emlyn Jenkins, Alf Middleton, Sammy Miller, Harold Osbaldestin, Les Pearson, Gus Risman, Billy Watkins and Billy Williams.[8]
Leeds
editEvans played scrum-half in Leeds' 14-8 victory over Huddersfield in the 1937–38 Yorkshire Cup Final during the 1937–38 season at Belle Vue, Wakefield on Saturday 30 October 1937.
Evans played at centre in Leeds' 19-2 victory over Halifax in the 1940–41 Challenge Cup Final during the 1940–41 season at Odsal Stadium, Bradford, in front of a crowd of 28,500, and played on the wing in the 15-10 victory over Halifax in the 1941–42 Challenge Cup Final during the 1941–42 season at Odsal Stadium, Bradford, in front of a crowd of 15,250.[9]
International honours
editCoaching career
editSwinton
editStarting in 1954, Evans was the coach in Swinton's victory in the Championship during the 1962–63 season and 1963–64 season.[10]
St Helens
editEvans was the coach in St Helens' 24–12 victory over Leeds in the Championship Final during the 1969–70 season at Odsal, Bradford on Saturday 16 May 1970.
Evans was the coach in St Helens' victory in the Lancashire League during the 1968–69 season.
Evans was the coach in St Helens' 13-10 victory over (following a 2-2 draw with) Warrington in the 1967 Lancashire Cup Final during the 1967–68 season at Station Road, Swinton on Saturday 2 December 1967, was the coach in the 30-2 victory over Oldham in the 1968 Lancashire Cup Final during the 1968–69 season at Central Park, Wigan on Friday 25 October 1968, and was the coach in Salford's 25–11 victory over Swinton in the 1972 Lancashire Cup Final during the 1972–73 season at Wilderspool Stadium, Warrington on Saturday 21 October 1972.
Evans was the coach in St Helens' 4–7 defeat by Wigan in the 1968–69 BBC2 Floodlit Trophy Final at Central Park, Wigan on Tuesday 16 December 1968.[11]
References
edit- ^ "The Merrick and Evans Family". Our Lady Of Hope Parish, Salford. Archived from the original on 14 February 2022. Retrieved 11 February 2022.
- ^ a b c "Statistics at rugbyleagueproject.org". rugbyleagueproject.org. 31 December 2017. Retrieved 1 January 2018.
- ^ "Coach Statistics at rugbyleagueproject.org". rugbyleagueproject.org. 31 December 2017. Retrieved 1 January 2018.
- ^ Williams, Graham; Lush, Peter; Farrar, David (2009). The British Rugby League Records Book. London League. pp. 108–114. ISBN 978-1-903659-49-6.
- ^ "Club History – Post War". swintonlionstales.co.uk. 31 December 2011. Archived from the original on 30 November 1994. Retrieved 1 January 2012.
- ^ "Statistics at rugbyleague.wales". rugbyleague.wales. 31 December 2019. Retrieved 1 January 2020.
- ^ "History & Heritage". Salford Red Devils. Retrieved 29 February 2024.
- ^ "The story of The Original Red Devils". reds.co.uk. 31 December 2011. Archived from the original on 11 January 2012. Retrieved 1 January 2012.
- ^ "History of Leeds Rugby League Club". britishrugbyleague.blogspot.co.uk. 31 December 2012. Retrieved 1 January 2013.
- ^ "Swinton Lions look back 50 years for 2013". salfordonline.com. 31 December 2011. Archived from the original on 30 November 1994. Retrieved 1 January 2012.
- ^ "1968–1968 BBC2 Floodlit Trophy Final". wigan.rlfans.com. 31 December 2011. Archived from the original on 12 June 2018. Retrieved 1 January 2012.