He remained Reading manager until 1984, making perceptive signings from non-league football such as Kerry Dixon, Trevor Senior and Paul Stanford.
Evans was also responsible for giving opportunities to the likes of Neil Webb, who went on to play for Nottingham Forest, Manchester United and England.
He became the manager after the resignation of Jim Smith in the summer of 1985, and led the team in their first season in the top flight of English football.
At the Wembley final, Evans famously sent up long-serving club physio Ken Fish in his place to collect his winner's medal, a gesture seen as typifying his modesty and generosity.
He continued at the club in various capacities, including a brief stint as caretaker manager in 1993 and elevation to the board of directors in 1998, before rejoining Reading as chief scout in November 1999.