We’ve picked out ten pieces of information to help you get to know a little bit more about the newly appointed Wanderers Head Coach, Ian Evatt.
- Born in Coventry, Evatt began his professional career with Derby County and made his senior debut in May 2001, coming on as a substitute for Thordur Gudjonsson in a 1-1 home Premiership draw against Ipswich Town.
- Ian Evatt’s managerial record at Barrow was exceptional. Taking charge of 89 matches after joining the club ahead of the 2018/19 season, his guided his team to 40 victories. That’s a win percentage of 45%. Promotion last season ensured the club would return to the Football League after an absence of 48 years – almost half a century!
- Evatt featured was an ever-present in Blackpool’s solitary season in the Premier League (2010/11), playing in every one of their 38 league fixtures. His only goal during a campaign that ended in relegation, came in a 2-2 draw against Bolton Wanderers at the Reebok Stadium.
- Chesterfield is a club he has a strong association with. Making 265 appearances during two spells as a player which lasted a total of seven years, Evatt had a brief stint with the club as Caretaker Manager for the final few weeks of the 2017/18 season following the dismissal of Jack Lester as the club’s Manager.
- Evatt won the League Two title as a player with Chesterfield in 2013/14. Under the management of Paul Cook, the central defender was captain as the team finished 1st in the division ahead of Scunthorpe United and Rochdale with 84 points. He played 43 times during the campaign and was named in the PFA Team of the Year.
- Evatt played the full 90 minutes of a 3-2 Play-Off Final victory against Cardiff City at Wembley Stadium in May 2010. Future Wanderer Alex Baptiste started alongside him in central defence that day with Barry Bannan and Stephen Dobbie coming on as substitutes – the pair of them would also later sign for Bolton Wanderers.
- Three years earlier in May 2007, Evatt played in the League One Play-Off Final and achieved success as Blackpool defeated Yeovil Town 2-0 to earn promotion to the Championship. It was to be the first time the club had played in the second tier in 29 years. Robbie Williams and Michael Jackson played for the Tangerines that day…
- Just two years into his career as a manager, Evatt’s style of play has already caught the eye with his Barrow side nicknamed by some in the media as ‘Barrowcelona.’ In his first interview with bwfc.co,uk, the new Wanderers boss has said he will be looking to implement the same style with Bolton.
- During a playing career which lasted 17 years, Evatt made a total of 623 appearances (27 goals) and played for Derby County, Northampton Town, Chesterfield, Queens Park Rangers and Blackpool. He has played in the Premier League, Championship, League One and League Two during that time.
- Known for playing in central defence throughout his career, Evatt actually started out as a central midfielder during his time at Derby County, but growing to the height of comfortably over 6 feet tall, he was moved into defence and remained there throughout a successful career which saw him play in the Premier League with both Derby and Blackpool.