Special Football Feature:

 

Evan Watts – back from a great season in the Republic of Ireland – and back there again now!

 

Evan Watts signed professional football forms for Swansea City as a talented young goalkeeper in 2022 and in the intervening time he has become a Welsh under 21 level international - and as part of his natural progression with The Swans he has just completed a campaign on loan in the Republic of Ireland, where he played for Galway United in their top league, all professional, and with a season that runs from January to December, writes Bill Carne.
 


There are ten teams in the top section that include well-known clubs like Shamrock Rovers, Derry City, St Patrick’s (who play at the famous Richmond Park) and Sligo Rovers; and Evan was involved in 16 of their 18 league games, plus two cup games, all of which featured on the League of Ireland TV channel and often on RTE, the country’s national television station, as play is of a standard that has been compared to the English League Division Two.


 
“We trained as much as five times a week, with games usually on Friday evenings, and we are pushed hard to make sure that week our edge of fitness.”






 

Caught the commentators’ eyes but sustained a late hand injury

 

He certainly caught the eye of the commentators with some spectacular saves, some of them point-blank, commenting on his courage as well as his ball distribution from the back. The team plays in front of up to 4,000 at home games and sometimes even bigger crowds for local derbies.

 
Amongst this, he kept clean sheets against Shamrock Rovers and Bohemians (away) and also contributed two ‘assists’ from his own goal area, one of them being a 3-1 win against St Patrick’s, amongst the many highlights during his first loan spell.

 
They finished eighth in the league so avoided relegation and maintained their status for their next campaign, which starts soon and takes in the summer months as well.

 
Unfortunately, he sustained a broken wrist towards the end of the season in a training session and is now back in Swansea, receiving treatment in Cardiff, and waiting to find out his next step in early February, which could include joining a football League club or have another trip to the Emerald Isle, which he wouldn’t mind in the slightest because he enjoyed his stay in Galway so much.

 

Other sports – and great family support

 
Evan has always been a talented sporting all-rounder who caught the eye very early on as a fast bowler in cricket, where he played for Haverfordwest in the Pembrokeshire first division as a 14-year-old. He has also been a good athlete and tennis player but there eventually came the time when he had to focus on his football because of the incredible amount of travel to and from Swansea, and for much longer at away games all over the south-west of England.

 
He is quick to sing the praises of his parents, Neil and Debbie, for their total support and so it was a very proud moment when they were there to watch him play when his commitment paid off and he was selected for Wales at under 21 level.

 

Rightly thrilled with international recognition

 

“It was a great moment when I heard I had been chosen,” Evan told us, “and I know it is a cliche but pulling on the kit and walking onto the pitch for the first time was a moment I’ll never forget - and singing the national anthem with the crowd. was fantastic.

 
“I played matches in the European Competition against Denmark, Lithuania and the Czech Republic, plus a couple of trips to Spain to compete in a competition where we took on Slovakia, Sweden, Norway and Andorra - and it was another boost that we were allowed to keep our kit and at the end of the season we all received our caps, which was another proud moment for me.

 
“I also had the opportunity to take part in a training session with the Welsh National team, a surreal experience that showed the level that I need to get to in my career.”
 

So, what of the next stage in Evan’s career?

 
“I’m looking forward to start building towards full fitness and being back at the Swansea City Stadium because everyone, including the senior players, is very helpful and we train regularly with the first team squad, which is always a learning experience in itself.

 
“Then I want to be back playing and if it means another loan spell, I would be happy because I know that Liam Cullen, another Pembrokeshire footballer at the club, had spells away and is now a regular in the squad and is a full Welsh international.”
 

And finally . . .

 
“I think it is important that I continue to build on this important loan experience. In the short term I need to get back to full fitness and then I will weigh up my options. The Number One priority is to get back out there playing consistent games at a high level, whether it’s back to the Premier Division in Ireland or closer to home amongst the EFL. It’s a really exciting period for a young footballer like myself, getting a taste of playing in front of big crowds in a highly competitive league has only fueled the fire in wanting to experience as much as I can of what this game has to offer.

 
“It is also extremely encouraging having the likes of Joe Allen and Liam Cullen in the building at Swansea. Both are from Pembrokeshire like me and seeing what they have both achieved so far during their careers has been hugely inspirational. To be able to have that close contact with them and learn from their experience is priceless and will only put me in good stead going forwards.”


 
There is no doubt that if commitment, willingness to learn and genuine enthusiasm for what he does is anything to go by then Evan Watts is already on the road to success and we  at PembrokeshireSport.co.uk wish this modest, intelligent and talented young goalkeeper every success in the future because he deserves it!


 
**STOP PRESS NEWS!**
Evan is on his way back for a second season with Galway United and if you read the comments on the football club’s web site then it is very evident what their supporters think of him – and can’t wait to welcome him back!