WHITLEY teenager Tom Evans has long dreamed of becoming a professional
footballer, and now he has the chance to make that dream a reality.
The Wales Under 19 centre-back has been offered a professional contract with
Coca-Cola Football League One side Swindon Town.
But despite his current enviable position, being offered a one-year
full-time contract had not always looked likely.
He played two games for Swindon Town Reserves before Christmas but suffered
a setback when he tore a cartilage in his knee in December.
An operation in January put him out for nearly two months and when he
returned he found it tough to break into the team, but eventually he was
given a chance by the then manager Ady Williams and grabbed the chance to
impress.
Several months on the 17-year-old is revelling in the offer of a contract
from the League One side.
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Evans said: "I was delighted with the opportunity. Playing professional
football is every boy's dream.
"I never let it go and kept pursuing it and my reward has come.
"They have seen I've got something they can work with and help me move onto
the next level."
Evans' journey began as a seven-year-old when he was playing for Shaw and
Whitley, now known as Melksham Town Youth, in a tournament at Castle Combe.
He was spotted by Southampton and two weeks into a six-week trial with the
then Premiership club he joined permanently. Evans' hopes of becoming a
professional were dented when he was released by The Saints aged 14, but he
soon joined Swindon Town's Centre of Excellence and two years later was
offered a scholarship.
A year on, fresh from his contract offer, Evans feels he has a good chance
of breaking into the team.
Evans said: "The manager Maurice Malpas said when we came in that we're all
on an equal playing field.
"If there's a 17-year-old who's performing better in pre-season games than a
27-year-old seasoned pro, you'll be playing.
"It's always reassuring to know if you're playing well he won't hesitate to
put you in the frame.
"The opportunity is there, I've just got to take the opportunity and put 100
per cent into training and games. It's all down to me, no-one else can
really help."
Evans is aiming for international glory this summer with Wales Under 19s,
who he has played for five times.
He is hoping to be called up for the Milk Cup in Northern Ireland, the
tournament at which he scored his first international goal last summer.
The young defender has nothing but good memories of last year's tournament.
Evans said: "The Milk Cup has a brilliant atmosphere.
"You do a parade the day before you play your first game, and when I was
there last year I think there was 25,000 people lining the streets.
"You get treated so well over there, they see you as the next Wayne Rooney."
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