In 1997, he was an unused substitute as a Leeds side including future internationals Jonathan Woodgate, Paul Robinson and Harry Kewell won the FA Youth Cup,[5] and he went on to be capped by England at under-18 level.
[6] He made his first-team debut in the Olympic Stadium in Munich, as a substitute in a Champions League qualifier against 1860 Munich in August 2000,[7] but made only one more first-team appearance for Leeds before leaving to join Huddersfield Town on a free transfer in August 2001.
[12] After a trial with the club, Evans then signed for Blackpool, initially on a monthly contract, then on a one-year deal with an option for a further year.
[13] He missed the Seasiders' victory in the 2004 Football League Trophy with a broken foot which cut short his season, but the club still took up the option on his contract.
[14] Once he regained his place in the 2004–05 season, he played in a 10-match unbeaten run, but in February 2005 he sustained a knee injury which required surgery.