Tom Evans (footballer, born 1976)
Thomas Raymond "Tom" Evans (born 31 December 1976) is a former professional footballer who played as a goalkeeper. Born in England, he has played for the Northern Ireland B team.
Club career
Early career
Born in Doncaster, South Yorkshire, Evans started his career with the Sheffield United youth system as a trainee before signing a professional contract on 3 July 1995. He made no appearances for the side before joining Crystal Palace on a free transfer on 14 June 1996, and was loaned out to Isthmian League side Harrow Borough in August. Evans later made a loan move to FA Premier League side Coventry City in March 1997, but failed to make any appearances.
Scunthorpe United
Palace released him after his first season at the club and on 22 August 1997 he signed for Scunthorpe United. Evans played for Scunthorpe in their 1–0 victory over Leyton Orient in the 1999 Football League Third Division play-off Final at Wembley Stadium. He had surgery on a hand injury in May 2005, having suffered a problem with one of his knuckles on his index finger that had troubled him in previous seasons. This operation led to him missing the first two months of the season, but returned to the line-up in early December. He kept his place in the team for three months and after another spell on the sidlines he played in Scunthorpe's last six matches of the season.