Evan Horwood

Evan David Horwood (born 10 March 1986) is an English professional footballer who plays as a defender for National League club Chester.

Career

Horwood started his career with the Sheffield United youth system in 2002. He joined Stockport County on a one-month loan in March 2005, which was extended until the end of the 2004–05 season in April, making 10 appearances in League One. He joined Scunthorpe United of League One on loan in August 2005, but made no appearances for the club as he only made the substitutes' bench for the opening game of the 2005–06 season against Brentford on 6 August. He made his debut for Sheffield United on 25 October 2005, coming on as a substitute in a League Cup third round tie at Reading.

He joined Conference National club York City on a one-month loan in November 2005, making his debut in a 2–0 defeat against Morecambe on 26 November. He was recalled by United in January, making five appearances for York during this loan. He joined League Two team Chester City on loan later that month, making his debut in a 5–0 defeat against Carlisle United on 4 February 2006, before returning to Sheffield United in February.

He joined Darlington on a one-month loan in October 2006, but returned to United due to an injury later that month. He re-joined the club on loan in January 2007 and was sent off in a 1–1 draw with Bury following a lunge at Marc Pugh, which Darlington had a rejected appeal over, meaning he had to serve a three-match ban. His loan at Darlington was later extended until the end of the 2006–07 season, which he finished with 21 appearances.

On 31 August 2007, Horwood joined Scottish Premier League side Gretna on loan until January 2008, making his debut in a 2–1 defeat against Kilmarnock on 15 September 2007. He scored his first goal for Gretna in the reverse fixture, scoring their third goal in a 3–3 draw with a curling shot from a Kenny Deuchar cross. He returned to United in January after making 17 appearances and scoring two goals for Gretna. He joined League One side Carlisle United on a free transfer later that month, where he signed a two-and-a-half-year contract. He was released by the club at the end of the 2009–10 season.

After training with Aberdeen, Horwood had a successful trial with League One club Hartlepool United, signing for them on 30 July 2010. He made his debut in the club's opening mach of 2010–11, a 0–0 draw against Rochdale. Horwood was released by Hartlepool in May 2013.

Horwood signed for League One club Tranmere Rovers ahead of the 2013–14 season on 19 June 2013, joining on a two-year contract. On 24 March 2014, Horwood joined League Two side Northampton Town on loan for the rest of the 2013–14 season. He signed for Northampton permanently on a two-year contract on 2 July 2014, after being released by Tranmere.

On 1 February 2016, Horwood joined National League team Grimsby Town on loan until the end of the season. Horwood was not included in the matchday squad as Grimsby beat Forest Green Rovers 3–1 in the 2016 National League play-off Final at Wembley Stadium, seeing Grimsby promoted into League Two after a six-year absence from the Football League. He was not retained when his loan expired at the end of the season.

On 6 July 2016, Horwood joined National League club Chester on a one-year contract.

Personal life

Born in Billingham, County Durham, Horwood supported Hartlepool United as a child.

Career statistics

As of match played 28 January 2017