Radcliffe FC are pleased to announce the signing of midfielder, Gareth Evans. The 34-year-old adds a plethora of experience to the side, having made over 600 appearances for six different clubs across the English Football League.

Gareth becomes our sixteenth signing of a busy Summer over the past few months, joining us having been released by Bradford City last May. He is able to play in a number of different positions across the pitch, most notably as a wide midfielder, but can also fare as an attacking midfielder or at right back.

Favouring his right foot, Gareth began his career at Crewe Alexandra before joining Manchester United, and was touted as a ‘future star’ by Alex Ferguson when he was a teenager.

He gained his first experience as a professional under former Manchester City defender Ian Brightwell at Macclesfield Town. Double-figure goals and an abundance of success in his first season at the club saw him join Bradford City for an undisclosed fee at the age of 21.

Two years with the Bantams then saw him sign for Yorkshire rivals Rotherham United for two seasons, before putting pen-to-paper with Fleetwood Town in 2013. Gareth then notably swapped the West Coast for the South Coast in the Summer of 2015, signing for current League One outfit, Portsmouth.

He would go on to become a club legend amongst the Pompey faithful, making nearly 200 appearances in a 5-year spell at Fratton Park. Gareth finished as the top goalscorer in his first season at the club, and would cement his place in the starting XI for years to come, as well as becoming their club captain in the 2018-19 season.

A return to Bradford City followed in September 2020, leaving behind an incredible 5-year stint on the South Coast, in which he became a Champion of League Two, and won the Checkatrade Trophy (more commonly known as the EFL Trophy) at Wembley, scoring his spot kick in a 5-4 penalty shootout win against Sunderland.

In his first interview after signing for the club, Gareth said - “I’m delighted to be here, i’m excited by the project that’s been put to me and it’s an exciting time at the club so i’m looking forward to getting going.

I think the main aim this season is to get promoted, but my short term goals are to be playing regularly, scoring goals and enjoying my football as much as I possibly can.”

Welcome to the Neuven Stadium, Gareth!