Torquay United football talent who became a bowls legend dies aged 79

John Evans, who gave up a promising career as a professional footballer to become one of the most respected figures in English bowls, has died at the age of 79.

Evans was an apprentice winger at Torquay United before graduating to the first team in the mid- 1960s.

At 17 years old he scored the opening goal on his debut in a 2-1 home win over Tranmere Rovers in March 1965, and went on to make eight senior appearances.

United’s winner against Tranmere was scored by Robin Stubbs, who also passed away recently at 85.

There was no doubting Evans’ talent as a winger, but he was equally good, and just as enthusiastic, as a lawn bowler.

When Frank O’Farrell took over from Eric Webber as manager in the summer of 1965, he demanded complete commitment from all around him.

O’Farrell sympathised with Evans’ desire to continue playing football and bowls, but eventually insisted that John should decide, still a teenager, where his priorities lay.

Evans opted for bowls, and it became his life.

Within ten years he won a Pairs silver medal in the 1974 Commonwealth Games in Christchurch, New Zealand.

Two years later Evans won silver (Team) and bronze (Fours) medals in the World Championships in Johannesburg, South Africa.

Those successes may have been the peak of his international career, but he also won countless honours on the domestic circuit.

In 1991 Evans reached the quarter-finals of the World Indoor Championships, and he was still playing well enough to return to the championships in 2002, 28 years after his Commonwealth silver.

He was a mainstay of teams at Torquay BC, Torquay Indoor BC and Devon County, but his influence extended well beyond the greens he graced for so long.

He ran his own bowls tour company for a while, as well as coaching and mentoring many of the champions who have made South Devon and Devon bowls such a force in the sport.

Among them were brother and sister Sam and Sophie Tolchard.

Sam, who has won World, Commonwealth, British and many home titles in his own stellar career, said: “It is such sad news.

“John was an absolute legend in so many spheres – irreplaceable.”

Evans’ love for both bowls and TUFC endured all his life, and he lived for many years in Marnham Road, only a long lead or a cross away from the TU Indoor club and Plainmoor.