Clubs: Queens Park Rangers, Crystal Palace, Barnsley, Exeter City, Cambridge United

International honours: Wales
Caps while at Palace: 13

Ian Evans first came to Palace in September 1974 as the Eagles sought to adjust to life in Division Three and he quickly established himselfas a favourite among supporters with his wholehearted displays in the centre if defence.

He was captain of the 1975/76 team that reached the semi-finals of the FA Cup for the first time in the club's history and he then led the side which gained promotion to Division Two the following year. Ian's future for club and country was looking promising but an appalling injury in October 1977 put Ian out of action for two years.

Ian's determination and courage in overcoming his double fracture won him the hearts of all Palace supporters. This, allied to the respect and admiration he had already gained in SE25 as captain and a regular member of the Welsh international side, established an empathy between Ian and the fans which made him part of the folk-lore of Crystal Palace.

It took a revolutionary medical technique for Ian to play again but only for the club's reserve side, however he moved north to Barnsley and continued his career before returning to Palace in 1984 as Assistant Manager to Steve Coppell. After helping the Eagles to the top-flight in 1989 Ian became manager of Swansea City and since then he has served as Assistant Manager to Mick McCarthy for the Republic of Ireland and Sunderland.

Statistics

Source: The Palace Centurions, Rev. Nigel Sands (Sporting and Leisure Press, 1991)