Ian Evatt

Evatt was born in Coventry, West Midlands. As a child he supported hometown club Coventry City.{{cite news|url=http://www.blackpoolgazette.co.uk/sports-news/Evatt-hails-39excellent39-Pool-fans.6016939.jp|title=Evatt hails 'excellent' Pool fans|date=27 January 2010|work=Blackpool Gazette|access-date=28 January 2010}} He attended Caludon Castle School for his secondary education.{{cite web | url=http://www.caludoncastle.co.uk/partnerships/notable-alumni/ | title=Notable Alumni | work=Caludon Castle School | access-date=4 April 2017 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180121071223/http://www.caludoncastle.co.uk/partnerships/notable-alumni/ | archive-date=21 January 2018 | url-status=dead }}{{cite news | url=http://www.coventrytelegraph.net/whats-on/music-nightlife-news/revealed-more-caludon-castle-schools-10985535 | title=Revealed: MORE of Caludon Castle School's arts and sports heritage | work=Coventry Telegraph | first=Pete | last=Clemons | date=3 March 2016 | access-date=4 April 2017}}

When he was ten years old, Evatt played for the district side in his hometown and was scouted by Derby County. He started with them from the age of 11 years. He signed his first professional contract on his seventeenth birthday in 1998. His first appearance in the Derby team came in the last match of the 2000–01 season, on 19 May 2001 at Pride Park, when he replaced Þórður Guðjónsson in the 78th minute.{{cite journal | title = From young ram to grown man – Evatt puts Derby disappointment behind him and pushes forward in his career | journal = Up the Pool | volume = 2008–09 season | issue = Blackpool vs Derby County | pages = 34–37 | publisher = Blackpool | location = Blackpool | date = 21 October 2008 }}{{cite news | title = In focus this week Ian Evatt | publisher = Chesterfield F.C. | date = 27 September 2003 | url = http://www.chesterfield-fc.premiumtv.co.uk/page/FeaturedPlayer/0,,10435~429906,00.html | access-date = 7 May 2008 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20080820092822/http://www.chesterfield-fc.premiumtv.co.uk/page/FeaturedPlayer/0,,10435~429906,00.html | archive-date = 20 August 2008 | url-status = dead }} In the 2001–02 season he spent two months on loan with Division Two club Northampton Town, from 10 August to 10 October 2001, playing in eleven League games.{{cite news | title = Cobblers aim to keep Evatt | publisher = bbc.co.uk | date = 6 September 2001 | url = http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/n/northampton_town/1528889.stm | access-date =25 October 2008}} His next appearance for Derby came in April 2002 when he came on for Rob Lee against Newcastle United, then on the last day of the 2001–02 Premier League season he made his full debut against Sunderland, playing the full 90 minutes of a 1–1 draw at the Stadium of Light. Derby were relegated and the following season, under new manager John Gregory, Evatt was a regular starter in the side.

On 9 September 2002, Evatt scored The Rams' third goal as they beat Division Two club Mansfield Town 3–1 in the League Cup.{{cite news | title = Mansfield 1–3 Derby | publisher = bbc.co.uk | date = 9 September 2006 | url = http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/2239164.stm | access-date =25 October 2008}} In the following round against Oldham Athletic, Evatt found himself having to play in goal when Mart Poom got sent off.{{cite web |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/2281387.stm |title=Derby 1-2 Oldham |publisher=BBC |date=2 October 2002 |access-date=4 February 2014}}

He started out as a centre-midfielder, before being moved to central defence. Evatt said of the move, "I started off my career in midfield. I played a few games in the Premier League and, as I got bigger, I moved backwards but I enjoyed it. They saw the potential for me to be a better centre-half." Evatt suffered an injury in March 2003. Then, just before George Burley was appointed as manager to replace John Gregory, who had been sacked in March, Evatt had to have a double hernia operation and he did not feature much for Derby afterwards.

He made a total of 34 league appearances for The Rams, including some in the Premier League, but was released by George Burley at the end of the 2002–03 season.{{cite web | title = players – Ian Evatt | work = Soccerbase | url = https://www.soccerbase.com/players/player.sd?player_id=21108 | access-date = 23 October 2008 | archive-date = 9 January 2011 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20110109100613/http://www.soccerbase.com/players_details.sd?playerid=21108 | url-status = live }}{{cite web | title = Derby release 10 players | publisher = bbc.co.uk | date = 15 May 2003 | url = http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/d/derby_county/3031625.stm | access-date =25 October 2008}}

Evatt signed for Division Two club Chesterfield in July 2003, with Spireites manager Roy McFarland saying that Evatt was his number-one target to take to the club.{{cite news | title = Spireites snap up Evatt | publisher = bbc.co.uk | date = 15 July 2003 | url = http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/c/chesterfield/3068683.stm | access-date =25 October 2008}} Initially he played in midfield, where he struggled, before being moved by McFarland into central defence, where his performances improved.{{cite news | title = Mac sticks with Evo | publisher = Chesterfield F.C. | date = 2 February 2004 | url = http://www.chesterfield-fc.premiumtv.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0,,10435~484573,00.html | archive-url = https://archive.today/20070616180251/http://www.chesterfield-fc.premiumtv.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0,,10435~484573,00.html | url-status = dead | archive-date = 16 June 2007 | access-date = 7 May 2008 }} He went on to become the club captain and he won the Player of the Season award for the 2003–04 season.{{cite news | title = Ian Evatt Player of the Season | publisher = Chesterfield F.C. | date = 2 March 2005 | url = http://www.chesterfield-fc.premiumtv.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0,,10435~522869,00.html | archive-url = https://archive.today/20070616180251/http://www.chesterfield-fc.premiumtv.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0,,10435~522869,00.html | url-status = dead | archive-date = 16 June 2007 | access-date = 7 May 2008 }} However, in the summer he needed a further hernia operation as the operation the previous year while he was with Derby did not fix the problem.{{cite news | title = Evatt faces hernia op | publisher = Chesterfield F.C. | date = 9 May 2004 | url = http://www.chesterfield-fc.premiumtv.co.uk/page/PlayerInterviews/0,,10435~522887,00.html | archive-url = https://archive.today/20110809055301/http://www.chesterfield-fc.premiumtv.co.uk/page/PlayerInterviews/0,,10435~522887,00.html | url-status = dead | archive-date = 9 August 2011 | access-date = 7 May 2008 }}

On 26 August 2004, Evatt signed a contract extension with the club to the summer of 2007,{{cite news | title = Evatt extends contract | publisher = Chesterfield F.C. | date = 26 August 2004 | url = http://www.chesterfield-fc.premiumtv.co.uk/page/ClubAnnouncements/0,,10435~557152,00.html | access-date = 7 May 2008 }}{{Dead link|date=August 2024 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }} saying that it took him just five minutes to make the decision to sign, as he felt the club were "going in the right direction".{{cite news | title = Why I signed new deal | publisher = Chesterfield F.C. | date = 28 August 2004 | url = http://www.chesterfield-fc.premiumtv.co.uk/page/PlayerInterviews/0,,10435~557835,00.html | archive-url = https://archive.today/20070616180251/http://www.chesterfield-fc.premiumtv.co.uk/page/PlayerInterviews/0,,10435~557835,00.html | url-status = dead | archive-date = 16 June 2007 | access-date = 7 May 2008 }} In February 2005, Chesterfield turned down an offer for Evatt from Bristol City. He was also attracting interest from other clubs, including Leicester City.{{cite news | title = Evatt attracts Leicester interest | publisher = bbc.co.uk | date = 25 February 2005 | url = http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/c/chesterfield/4297121.stm | access-date =25 October 2008}}{{cite news | title = The latest on Ian Evatt | publisher = Chesterfield F.C. | date = 2 March 2005 | url = http://www.chesterfield-fc.premiumtv.co.uk/page/ClubAnnouncements/0,,10435~632894,00.html | access-date = 7 May 2008 }}{{Dead link|date=August 2024 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}

At the end of the 2004–05 season, Evatt won the SIFA Player of the Season Award and was runner-up in the CFSS Player of the Season Award.{{cite news | title = Nicholson scoops award | publisher = Chesterfield F.C. | date = 29 April 2005 | url = http://www.chesterfield-fc.premiumtv.co.uk/page/ClubAnnouncements/0,,10435~647667,00.html | access-date = 7 May 2008 }}{{Dead link|date=August 2024 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }} He made a total of 84 league appearances, scoring nine goals for the Spireites.

On 2 June 2005, Evatt signed a three-year contract with Championship club Queens Park Rangers for a fee of £150,000, under a clause in his contract at Chesterfield that allowed him to move if a six-figure bid was made.{{cite news | title = Evatt completes Loftus Road move | publisher = bbc.co.uk | date = 2 June 2005 | url = http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/q/qpr/4599657.stm | access-date =25 October 2008}} On 3 December 2005, during an away match against Stoke City at the Britannia Stadium, Evatt was assaulted by a Stoke fan. When a Stoke City player was sent off, resulting in a penalty being awarded to QPR, a young Potters fan ran onto the pitch and jumped at Evatt from behind, knocking him to the floor, where he was also alleged to have punched Evatt. The youth was arrested and subsequently charged with assault. He was banned from attending football matches for three years and at trial pleaded guilty to assault.{{cite news | title = Teenager banned for pitch attack | publisher = bbc.co.uk | date = 17 January 2006 | url = http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/staffordshire/4621974.stm | access-date =25 October 2008}}

Evatt made 27 league appearances for the Hoops. On 1 August 2006 he was sent on a six-month loan to Blackpool, who were then in League One. He made 26 appearances for the Bloomfield Road club.

QPR terminated Evatt's contract, enabling him to join Blackpool on a permanent basis on 5 January 2007, during the transfer window. He signed an 18-month contract, with the League One club having an option for a further year.{{cite news | title = Blackpool recruit Evatt from QPR | publisher = bbc.co.uk | date = 5 January 2007 | url = http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/b/blackpool/6235607.stm | access-date =25 October 2008}}

Evatt scored his first goal for the Seasiders in the fourth round of the FA Cup against Norwich City on 27 January 2007. His equaliser took the tie to a replay at Carrow Road.{{cite web | title = Results/Fixtures Blackpool 1 Norwich 1 | work = Soccerbase | url = http://www.soccerbase.com/results3.sd?gameid=508255 | access-date = 25 October 2008 | archive-date = 1 October 2007 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20071001215557/http://www.soccerbase.com/results3.sd?gameid=508255 | url-status = dead }}{{cite web | title = Blackpool 1–1 Norwich | publisher = bbc.co.uk | date = 27 January 2007 | url = http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/fa_cup/6282161.stm | access-date =25 October 2008}}

On 19 March 2007, Evatt was named in the Press Association's League One "Team of the Week".{{cite web | title = League One Team of the Week (19/03/2007) | publisher = The Football League | date = 5 January 2007 | url = http://www.football-league.premiumtv.co.uk/staticFiles/b/5/0,,10794~66827,00.pdf | access-date =25 October 2008}} In May 2007 he was part of the Blackpool team that won promotion to the Championship in the 2007 play-off final at Wembley Stadium.{{cite news | title = Yeovil 0–2 Blackpool | publisher = bbc.co.uk | date = 27 May 2007 | url = http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_div_2/6686991.stm | access-date =25 October 2008}}

After {{frac|2|1|2}} months out with a medial knee ligament injury Evatt returned to action on 8 December 2007, as a 65th-minute substitute for Michael Jackson in the West Lancashire derby against Preston North End.{{cite news | title = Preston 0–1 Blackpool | publisher = bbc.co.uk | date = 8 December 2007 | url = http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/eng_div_1/7122594.stm | access-date =25 October 2008}} However, he was out of action again in early 2008 when he suffered back and hamstring injuries.{{cite news | last = Canavan | first = Steve | title = Grayson set to raid loan market | newspaper = Blackpool Gazette | date = 18 February 2008 | url = http://www.blackpoolgazette.co.uk/sports-news/Grayson-set-to-raid-loan-market.3786921.jp | access-date =25 October 2008 }}

Evatt scored his first League goal for Blackpool on 25 October 2008 at Bloomfield Road when he headed their second equaliser in a 2–2 draw with Crystal Palace.{{cite news | title = Match report, Blackpool vs Crystal Palace | publisher = Blackpool | date = 25 October 2008 | url = http://www.blackpoolfc.premiumtv.co.uk/page/MatchReport/0,,10432~44244,00.html | access-date = 25 October 2008 | archive-date = 28 October 2008 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20081028090225/http://www.blackpoolfc.premiumtv.co.uk/page/MatchReport/0,,10432~44244,00.html | url-status = dead }}

He made his 100th League appearance for Blackpool on 24 January 2009, in a 2–0 victory over Birmingham City at Bloomfield Road. On 2 April 2009, Evatt signed a new two-year contract with Blackpool, with an option for a further year.{{cite news | title = Evatt extends Blackpool contract | publisher = bbc.co.uk | date = 2 April 2009 | url = http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/teams/b/blackpool/7979835.stm | access-date =2 April 2009 }}

Evatt scored his second League goal for the Seasiders on 15 August 2009 in Blackpool's first home game of the 2009–10 season, a 1–1 draw at Bloomfield Road against Cardiff City. His 300th career appearance was as a 36th-minute substitute in a 0–0 draw with Swansea City at the Liberty Stadium on 24 October. He was named in The Championship "Team of the Week" following his performance and goal in Blackpool's 4–1 home win over Scunthorpe United on 7 November.{{cite web|url=http://www.football-league.co.uk/staticFiles/d/42/0,,10794~147981,00.pdf |title=Championship Team Of The Week (−09/11/2009)|date= 9 November 2009|publisher=The Football League|access-date=10 November 2009}}

After Blackpool's promotion to the Premier League, he was sent off half an hour into their second fixture, a 6–0 reversal at Arsenal on 21 August 2010.

Evatt was named in the "Team of the Week" for week fourteen of the campaign, sharing the centre-back role with Aston Villa's Ciaran Clark.{{Cite web |url=http://www.premierleague.com/page/TeamOfTheWeek/0,,12306~2233760,00.html |title=Official Site of the Premier League - Barclays Premier League News, Fixtures and Results | Statistics | EA SPORTS Index | Team of the Week | Week 14 30-11-2010 |access-date=3 January 2011 |archive-date=10 December 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101210122258/http://www.premierleague.com/page/TeamOfTheWeek/0,,12306~2233760,00.html |url-status=dead }}

Evatt was Blackpool's only ever-present player in their 38 Premier League matches during the 2010–11 season. This included one substitute appearance against Aston Villa at Villa Park on 10 November 2010.

After the departure of Keith Southern to Huddersfield Town in July 2012, Evatt inherited the accolade of being Blackpool's longest-serving current player.

After his release from Blackpool in June 2013, Evatt re-joined Chesterfield on a two-year contract on 30 July 2013, and was made the club's captain.{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/23498459|title=Ian Evatt makes Chesterfield return after Blackpool exit|date=30 July 2013|work=BBC Sport|format=URL|access-date=30 July 2013}} He scored his first goal in his second spell for the club against Fleetwood Town in the Football League Trophy Northern Area final on 4 February 2014.{{cite web |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/25923325 |title=Fleetwood 1–3 Chesterfield |publisher=BBC |date=4 February 2014 |access-date=4 February 2014}}

He was released by Chesterfield at the end of the 2017–18 season.{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/44074524|title=Ian Evatt: Chesterfield release veteran defender after spell in caretaker charge|date=11 May 2018|access-date=11 May 2018|work=BBC Sport}}

On 23 April 2018, following the departure of Jack Lester, Evatt was appointed caretaker manager for the remainder of the season, which ended in Chesterfield's relegation to the National League.{{cite web|url=https://www.chesterfield-fc.co.uk/news/2018/april/20180423-departure-of-managerial-team-confirmed/|title=Departure of managerial team confirmed|publisher=Chesterfield FC|date=23 April 2018|access-date=25 April 2018|archive-date=12 May 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180512140124/https://www.chesterfield-fc.co.uk/news/2018/april/20180423-departure-of-managerial-team-confirmed/|url-status=dead}}

On 15 June 2018, Evatt was unveiled as the new manager of National League side Barrow.{{Cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/44500682|title=Evatt appointed new Barrow manager|via=www.bbc.co.uk}}

Evatt officially retired from playing after coming on as a forward late in a friendly at home to his former club Blackpool on 20 July 2019. The appearance was prompted by Barrow's social-media manager, who announced that, should their tweet be retweeted one thousand times, Evatt would come on for the last few minutes.[https://www.blackpoolgazette.co.uk/sport/football/blackpool-fc/blackpool-legend-ian-evatt-delighted-to-call-time-on-playing-career-with-cameo-against-former-club-1-9889423 "Blackpool legend Ian Evatt delighted to call time on playing career with cameo against former club"] - Blackpool Gazette, 20 July 2019

In his second season in charge, Evatt guided Barrow back to the Football League for the first time in 48 years as champions of the National League. The season was curtailed due to the COVID-19 pandemic, with standings based on a points-per-game basis.[https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/53086548 "Barrow promoted back to English Football League after National League vote"] - BBC Sport, 17 June 2020

On 24 June 2020, Bolton Wanderers made an official approach to Barrow for Evatt to become their head coach, and Barrow demanded £250,000 compensation should he make the move.{{Cite web|url=https://www.theboltonnews.co.uk/news/18539586.bolton-wanderers-make-official-approach-barrow-boss-ian-evatt/|title=Bolton Wanderers make their move for Barrow boss Ian Evatt|website=The Bolton News}} Two days later, Barrow rejected Bolton's bid for his services, stating it was below the £250,000 they had asked for.{{Cite web|url=https://www.blackpoolgazette.co.uk/sport/football/blackpool-fc/barrow-reject-offer-well-below-buy-out-fee-bolton-wanderers-blackpool-legend-ian-evatt-2896223|title=Barrow reject offer 'well below' buy-out fee from Bolton Wanderers for Blackpool legend Ian Evatt|website=www.blackpoolgazette.co.uk}} On 29 June, Bolton and Barrow agreed on compensation and Bolton began discussing personal terms with Evatt.{{Cite web|url=https://www.theboltonnews.co.uk/news/18548743.bolton-strike-compensation-deal-barrow-manager-ian-evatt/|title=Wanderers set to appoint Ian Evatt as new boss after striking compensation deal|website=The Bolton News}} Evatt's appointment at Bolton was confirmed on 1 July 2020.{{cite news |title=Ian Evatt: Bolton Wanderers name Barrow manager as new head coach |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/53255318 |access-date=1 July 2020 |work=BBC Sport |date=1 July 2020}} His first action as Bolton head coach was to give a new contract to recently released Ali Crawford,{{Cite web|url=https://www.bwfc.co.uk/news/2020/july/-ali-crawford-signs-two-year-deal-with-wanderers/|title=Ali Crawford signs Two-Year Deal with Wanderers|website=www.bwfc.co.uk}} and his first signing was the leading goalscorer of the 2019–20 EFL League Two season, Eoin Doyle.{{cite news |url= https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/amp/football/53367178 |title= Eoin Doyle: Bolton Wanderers sign ex-Swindon Town striker on three-year deal |date=10 July 2020 |work=BBC Sport}} His first competitive match as head coach came on 5 September, a 2–1 home defeat against Bradford in the first round of the EFL Cup.{{Cite web|url=https://www.bwfc.co.uk/news/2020/september/report-bolton-wanderers-1-2-bradford-city/|title=Report: Bolton Wanderers 1–2 Bradford City|website=www.bwfc.co.uk}} Evatt lost his first four competitive matches in charge, the first time this has happened to a Bolton manager/head coach.{{Cite web|url=https://www.theboltonnews.co.uk/sport/18733744.colchester-united-2-bolton-wanderers-0---ian-evatts-match-reaction/|title=MATCH REACTION: Colchester United 2 Bolton Wanderers 0|website=The Bolton News}} This had Bolton in their lowest-ever league position in their history, 21st in League Two.{{Cite web|url=https://www.theboltonnews.co.uk/sport/18737378.really-can-work---bolton-boss-ian-evatt-makes-case-new-thinking/|title="It really can work" - Ian Evatt makes case for new thinking at Wanderers|website=The Bolton News}} After losing the first five matches of the season, his first win came on 3 October against Harrogate Town.{{Cite web|url=https://www.bwfc.co.uk/news/2020/october/report-harrogate-town-1-2-bolton-wanderers/|title=Report: Harrogate Town 1–2 Bolton Wanderers|website=www.bwfc.co.uk}} Bolton's form soon turned around and after winning five matches in a row, Evatt was named EFL League Two Manager of the Month for November 2020.{{Cite web|url=https://www.bwfc.co.uk/news/2020/december/ian-evatt-wins-november-manager-of-the-month/|title=Ian Evatt wins November Manager of the Month|website=www.bwfc.co.uk}} After the departure of director of football Tobias Phoenix on 11 December,{{Cite web|url=https://www.theboltonnews.co.uk/sport/18939167.bolton-wanderers-football-chief-tobias-phoenix-steps-role/|title=Head of Football Operations Tobias Phoenix exits Bolton Wanderers|website=The Bolton News}} Evatt's role was changed from head coach to manager.{{Cite web|url=https://www.bwfc.co.uk/news/2020/december/ian-evatts-job-title-changes-to-manager/|title=Ian Evatt's Job Title Changes To Manager|website=www.bwfc.co.uk}} After five wins and one draw in February 2021, Evatt was named Manager of the Month again for the second time that season.{{Cite web|url=https://www.bwfc.co.uk/news/2021/march/manager-and-defender-win-sky-bet-monthly-awards/|title=Manager and Defender win Sky Bet monthly awards|website=www.bwfc.co.uk}} This was followed up the following month with five wins and one draw, which saw him win March's Manager of the Month award as well.{{Cite web|url=https://www.bwfc.co.uk/news/2021/april/wanderers-manager-wins-second-successive-manager-of-the-month-award/|title=Ian Evatt wins second successive Manager of the Month award|website=www.bwfc.co.uk}} Bolton finished the season in third place after a 4–1 win against Crawley Town on the final day of the season, which was enough to secure automatic promotion to League One.[https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/56953454 BBC Sport: Bolton promoted after win at Crawley]

On 28 May 2021, Evatt signed a new three-year contract with the club.[https://www.bwfc.co.uk/news/2021/may/wanderers-manager-ian-evatt-signs-new-contract/ BWFC: "Wanderers Manager Ian Evatt signs new contract"] On 14 November 2021, during a charity match in which the Bolton first-team played a match against a team of Bolton legends — the match helping to raise money for the mother of Bolton player Gethin Jones who had been diagnosed with Motor neuron disease — substitute Evatt brought himself on after half-time and played as a striker for the first-team. The first-team won 7–4, with Evatt scoring a hat-trick.[https://www.bwfc.co.uk/news/2021/november/wanderers-7-bolton-all-stars-4/ BWFC: "Wanderers 7 All Stars 4"] In Bolton's first season back in League One, Evatt lead them to a 9th placed finish with 73 points.[https://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/ian-evatt-bolton-fleetwood-reaction-23833002 Manchester Evening News: "Bolton Wanderers boss Ian Evatt on Fleetwood Town win, player contract decisions & next season aim"]

On 2 February 2023, it was revealed that Evatt had been given shares in Football Ventures (Whites) Ltd, the company that own Bolton Wanderers, making him one of minority owners of the club itself.[https://www.theboltonnews.co.uk/sport/23296259.bolton-wanderers-owners-committed-financial-support-says-neil-hart/ The Bolton News: "Bolton Wanderers owners committed to financial support, says Neil Hart - It was revealed in documents at Companies House recently that both Hart and first team manager Ian Evatt had been made minority shareholders in Football Ventures."] On 2 April 2023, Evatt managed Bolton to 4–0 win against Plymouth Argyle in the 2023 EFL Trophy final.{{Cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/65088981|title=Bolton Wanderers 4–0 Plymouth Argyle|work=BBC Sport }} A month later, he signed a new three-year contract.{{Cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/65484167|title=Ian Evatt: Bolton Wanderers boss signs new three-year contract with League One club|work=BBC Sport }} His third season in charge saw Bolton qualify for the play-offs. They were defeated by Barnsley in the semi-finals.[https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/65567452 Barnsley 1–0 Bolton Wanderers (Agg 2–1): Tykes to face Yorkshire rivals Sheffield Wednesday in final]

After four league wins in October 2023, Evatt was named EFL League One Manager of the Month.[https://www.efl.com/news/2023/november/10/see-the-sky-bet-league-one-manager-and-player-of-the-month-winners-for-october/ See the Sky Bet League One Manager and Player of the Month winners for October] This was followed up with three league wins — one of which was a 7–0 win against Exeter City — and a draw in November to win the award for the second consecutive month.[https://www.efl.com/news/2023/december/08/sky-bet-league-one-player-and-manager-of-the-month-for-november/ Sky Bet League One Player and Manager of the Month for November] Bolton missed out on automatic promotion at the end of the season, finishing 3rd.{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/articles/crggm05vnevo |title=Evatt puts Bolton's Wembley loss down to 'fear' |first=Jay |last=Freeman |website=BBC Sport |date=18 May 2024 |access-date=19 May 2024}} In the play-off final, Bolton lost 2–0 to Oxford United.

On 22 January 2025, the club announced that Evatt had left the club by mutual consent following a string of poor results with Bolton ninth in the table.{{cite news|url=https://www.bwfc.co.uk/news/club-statement-ian-evatt|title=Club Statement Ian Evatt|date=22 January 2025|publisher=bwfc.co.uk}}

Evatt prefers to play attacking possession-based football, with his Barrow team nicknamed "Barrowcelona" due to the attacking football they played.[https://www.thenationalleague.org.uk/barrowcelona-a-thing-of-beauty-for-bolton-bound-ev-62753 The National League: "'Barrowcelona' A Thing Of Beauty For Bolton-Bound Evatt"][https://totalfootballanalysis.com/competitions/efl-league-two/bolton-wanderers-202021-ian-evatt-scout-report-tactical-analysis-tactics Total Football Analysis: "How Ian Evatt's tweaked possession system has pushed Bolton Wanderers for League Two title contention"] At Barrow he played a 3-4-1-2 formation and used the same system at Bolton Wanderers. He changed to a 4-2-3-1 formation, with Bolton going from 20th to third and achieving promotion to League One.[https://www.theboltonnews.co.uk/sport/18986031.four-magic-number-ian-evatt-bolton-wanderers/ The Bolton News: "Why four could be the magic number for Ian Evatt and Bolton Wanderers"] Evatt frequently decides against naming a substitute goalkeeper on the bench, preferring to have more attacking options and has had outfield players do goalkeeping training, just in case.[https://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/ian-evatt-bolton-walsall-preview-20207795 Manchester Evening News: "Bolton Wanderers boss Ian Evatt on Walsall, promotion potential and substitute goalkeepers"][https://www.theboltonnews.co.uk/sport/19171395.bolton-wanderers-boss-ian-evatt-hints-outfield-player-emergency-keeper-option/ The Bolton News: "Bolton Wanderers boss Ian Evatt hints at outfield player as emergency keeper option"] Evatt will sometimes bring on attacking players when winning matches rather than defensive players, preferring to score more goals than defend a lead.[https://www.theboltonnews.co.uk/sport/19239133.bolton-defender-impresses-despite-lack-match-action/ The Bolton News: "While Evatt may like to use attacking options off the bench to close out games, that doesn't mean they don't get stuck in defensively as well."]

{{notelist}}

{{updated|19 March 2025}}

{{notelist}}

Blackpool

• Football League Championship play-offs: 2010
• Football League One play-offs: 2007

Chesterfield

• Football League Two: 2013–14
• Football League Trophy runner-up: 2013–14{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/26703740 |title=Chesterfield 1–3 Peterborough United |last=Woodcock |first=Ian |website=BBC Sport |date=30 March 2014 |access-date=12 March 2024}}

Individual

• Blackpool Player of the Season: 2010–11{{Cite web |date=24 May 2011 |title=Vaughan and Evatt winners on awards night |url=https://www.blackpoolgazette.co.uk/sport/football/blackpool-fc/vaughan_and_evatt_winners_on_awards_night_1_3408598 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110525212524/https://www.blackpoolgazette.co.uk/sport/football/blackpool-fc/vaughan_and_evatt_winners_on_awards_night_1_3408598 |archive-date=25 May 2011 |website=Blackpool Gazette}}
• PFA Team of the Year: 2013–14 League Two{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/27180793 |title=Luis Suarez: Liverpool striker wins PFA Player of the Year award |work=BBC Sport |date=28 April 2014 |access-date=23 May 2018}}

Barrow

• National League: 2019–20

Bolton Wanderers

• EFL League Two third-place promotion: 2020–21
• EFL Trophy: 2022–23

Individual

• National League Manager of the Month: December 2018{{Cite web|url=https://www.nwemail.co.uk/sport/17356823.barrow-afc-boss-ian-evatt-wins-national-league-manager-month-award/|title=Barrow AFC boss Evatt wins Manager of the Month award|website=The Mail}}
• National League Manager of the Year: 2019–20{{Cite web|url=https://www.derbyshiretimes.co.uk/sport/football/former-chesterfield-defender-ian-evatt-named-national-league-manager-year-after-barrow-triumph-2926210|title=Former Chesterfield defender Ian Evatt named National League Manager of the Year after Barrow triumph|website=www.derbyshiretimes.co.uk}}
• EFL League Two Manager of the Month: November 2020, February 2021, March 2021
• EFL League One Manager of the Month: October 2023, November 2023

{{reflist}}

• [https://web.archive.org/web/20100704141032/http://www.blackpoolfc.co.uk/page/ProfilesDetail/0,,10432~5657,00.html Ian Evatt profile] at blackpoolfc.co.uk
• [http://www.qpr.co.uk/page/ProfilesDetail/0,,10373~5657,00.html Ian Evatt profile] at qpr.co.uk
• {{Soccerbase}}

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{{Blackpool F.C. Player of the Year}}

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{{DEFAULTSORT:Evatt, Ian}}

Category:1981 births

Category:Living people

Category:English men's footballers

Category:Men's association football defenders

Category:Derby County F.C. players

Category:Northampton Town F.C. players

Category:Chesterfield F.C. players

Category:Blackpool F.C. players

Category:Queens Park Rangers F.C. players

Category:Footballers from Coventry

Category:Premier League players

Category:English Football League players

Category:English football managers

Category:Barrow A.F.C. managers

Category:Bolton Wanderers F.C. managers

Category:Chesterfield F.C. managers

Category:National League (English football) managers

Category:English Football League managers

Category:21st-century English sportsmen