Will Evans is glad to be among the people who defy the stereotype that men tend to repress their feelings in this day and age.
After the untimely death of his cousin Sam two years ago, the 26-year-old striker from Newport County is making a great effort to inspire others to see the need of speaking up.
A heartfelt remembrance of Sam is included in the Instagram post that Evans made to announce the transfer, which was made just weeks before Sam, then just 24 years old, took his own life.
According to the striker, Evans and Sam were more like brothers than cousins, and the tenderness with which Evans portrays Sam and their bond emphasises how much Sam’s death has left a gap. Evans describes how the events of the last few years have drastically impacted his perspective on life and made him aware of how crucial it is for individuals to take the initiative in reaching out to loved ones in an interview in honour of Men’s Health Week.
“[Sam’s death] was the most traumatic experience I’ve ever had,” Evans remembers. It was publicised on Thursday that I had signed, and I believe his funeral took place on Wednesday. We were close, almost like brothers, and would spend a lot of time together the last individual you would ever imagine would push it to that extent. It prompts you to ask yourself, “What can I do differently? How can I prevent myself from reaching that point?”
“In the end, it is a medical condition. It certainly changes your perspective on life to have gone through the tragedy of someone very, very close to us and our family taking their own life at the age of 24. It gets you thinking, especially in my line of work when you’re surrounded by guys in a world where men rule and everyone aspires to be the big ‘I am’. If I can say anything, I will say something, and if I don’t, then this is, eventually, where I may end up.”
Newport follows a separate set of procedures. Players can always count on former club captain Mark O’Brien, who was forced to retire at the age of 27 due to a heart issue. Evans experienced a difficult first year at Newport and directly benefited from O’Brien’s presence, with the club icon assisting him in expressing his emotions.
Gamers themselves also adopt easy socialising strategies. Players often engage in tiny card games instead of isolating themselves with enormous headphones and sitting alone on lengthy travels. Evans also talks about the Exiles’ after-training coffee club, where players can talk “absolute nonsense” and take a much-needed break from the responsibilities of everyday life and professional football.
Given that Evans grew up working on his father’s farm in rural Wales and that his family is farmers, he understands the importance of speaking up for those who, like farmers, frequently find themselves in situations where they must spend extended amounts of time alone.
“Looking at the farming community as a whole, a lot of the jobs,” he continues You just take individual actions. It is possible to spend twelve hours a day by yourself seated on a tractor. Okay, so you may be able to communicate with others and have devices like a radio, but in reality, you are alone on a tractor.
If our experience has taught me anything, it’s that showing support to others comes first. It may make a big impact if people could perhaps strike up a discussion with someone, especially with someone you wouldn’t think to be struggling. Asking them if they’re okay isn’t even relevant because it’s such a vague inquiry that most people ignore. It all comes down to talking nonsensically, even for little periods of time, in order to divert someone’s attention from other concerns.”
Last season, Evans wore a shirt with the number 29 in honour of Sam, which is his birthday. Evans experienced some of the biggest events of the season, yet his absence was still mourned deeply His professional path has been everything but traditional.
Evans played for Bala Town, Cardiff Metropolitan University, and a nearby hamlet team after being cut loose by Shrewsbury Town when he was a teenager. After he caught their attention by scoring twice for Wales’ C team in a convincing victory over England, he received his big break at Newport.
He was mostly used as a left wing-back in his rookie season, when he only managed two goals. However, he finished the previous season as one of League Two’s leading scorers with 21 goals. In all competitions, he scored four more goals, one of which came against Manchester United, his childhood team, in the FA Cup.
Speaking at the launch of Spabreaks.com’s Real Men Relax campaign, Evans continued, saying, “I have nothing but praise for the club. We possess such a good social bubble, and I believe that’s evident on the pitch as well because of how close-knit our group is.
“Having only the two goals last year, it’s been a bit of a crazy experience for me. We were two points out of the play-offs with eight games remaining, and we went on a dreadful run and lost them all. As a team, we definitely let ourselves down towards the end of the season.
From a personal perspective, it was a unique season. Many have questioned how I’ve scored so many goals this year and what I’ve done differently. Sincerely, not much has changed on my end! I could argue that I feel more at ease with it being my second season, but it’s not like there has been a significant shift in mindset.”
Not satisfied to just enjoy the spotlight Evans is eager to get back to work after having his best-ever campaign. He even admits that his father has already made an attempt to get him to spend his summer vacation helping out on the farm.
Grinning, he continues, “I do it for them [family].” Since he works on the weekends, my old dad comes up for midweek games. He returns at after midnight and wakes up at six the following day. And my mother, well, she’s turned into a little football enthusiast these days.
“Watching their response in the stands to events, such as the goal against United, is incredibly satisfying. Observing how much it means to them is really satisfying; it’s probably even more satisfying than experiencing it on the pitch. It adds an extra special touch to everything.”
Will Evans is an ambassador for the Real Men Relax campaign by Spabreaks.com, which tries to emphasise the benefits of spa visits for men. Visit this website to locate a variety of spas for men: https://www.spabreaks.com/categories/men
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