Having been handed a second bite of the A-League cherry, Dean Evans is determined to take it.
Having been handed a second bite of the A-League cherry, Dean Evans is determined to take it.
The 23-year-old was a regular fixture in Glory’s youth team set-up between 2008 and 2011 before being released and opting to try his luck overseas in the form of a move to Hong Kong.
But after returning to Perth earlier this year and being invited to join the Glory squad for their pre-season campaign, his impressive performances proved enough to earn him a three-month injury-replacement contract.
“It’s an honour to have the opportunity to play for your hometown club,” he said, “and it was a breath of fresh air for me getting this contract.
“All my family and friends can come and watch the games and just being a part of Glory again is a great feeling.”
Evans produced several eye-catching performances on Glory’s recent tour of South Africa, during which he was often deployed at centre-back rather than in his more usual defensive midfield position.
“The South Africa trip was brilliant for the team and for me personally,” he said.
“I was effectively on trial and had to prove myself to Alistair Edwards and the rest of the coaching staff.
“I got quite a bit of game time with Alistair playing me in a few different positions and I felt that I held my own over there which was pleasing.
“As a footballer, you just play wherever the coach tells you to play.
“I love playing as a defensive midfielder because you tend to get a lot of the ball and be really involved, but centre-back is a really important position as well and I’m happy to slot in anywhere.”
The former Stirling Lions man returns to Glory determined to add to the solitary first-team appearance that he made for the club during the 2008-2009 season and feels that the experience he gained in Hong Kong will stand him in good stead.
“After my youth deal finished,” he said, “there wasn-t an opportunity at Glory so another option came up for me in Hong Kong.
“It was a fantastic experience for me.
“I played over there in their First Division for a year and luckily enough I got to play in pre-season friendlies against Chelsea, Blackburn and Aston Villa.
“I certainly learned a lot in those games.
“After my year contract finished there, I was just weighing up my options and Alistair (Edwards) asked me to come back down to training with Glory
“I was hoping something would come up and luckily this chance came my way.
“It’s really pleasing to be back at the club.”
Head Coach Edwards, meanwhile, is confident that Evans has what it takes to become the latest local WA player to make his mark with Glory.
“Dean’s signing is another major positive for the club,” he said.
“He’s been with us for a while now and we applied to FFA for him to come on board for three months and they’ve agreed to that.
“His signing is yet another indication of our commitment to giving young WA players an opportunity to play in the A-League.”
Gareth Morgan
