Eric Evans

Who was Eric Evans?

Eric Evans MBE was the captain of the England rugby union team from 1956 to 1958.

He was born on Edge Lane in Droylsden and attended Audenshaw Grammar School. He first played for Old Aldwinians RUFC in the late 1930s and during the war joined Sale RUFC. After the war he qualified as a sports master at the then Loughborough College, later joining Openshaw Technical College in Manchester.

Evans was awarded his first England cap in 1948, becoming best known as a hooker. In 1956 he was named England captain and in 1957 led his country to their first Grand Slam since 1928.

At the end of the 1957-8 season, he retired from international rugby, having been capped 30 times. Under his captaincy England won nine of their thirteen games. He retired from Sale RUFC in the 1962-3 season. He was chairman of Old Aldwinians RUFC from 1957 to 1959 and president from 1960 to 1966.

In 1967, Evans become the first president of the Glengarth Sevens at Davenport Rugby Club which continued for 21 years.

On 15 June 1982, he received the Member of the British Empire from Her Majesty the Queen at Buckingham Palace. This award was for his career in Rugby Union Football and charitable work for the disabled at the Glengarth home for disabled children.