HE may only be young but Gareth Evans has already learnt about the highs and lows in football.

Centre-back Evans, who has featured in all three of Wrexham's pre-season friendlies and will get another run-out against Cliftonville tonight, signed his first professional contract with the Reds this summer.

But Evans was originally told by manager Denis Smith that he would not be retained after he finished his scholarship at the end of last summer and the 19-year-old was set for a future away from The Racecourse.

However, with restraints being lifted on Wrexham because the club is set to come out of administration, Smith has been able to put together a bigger senior squad and Evans to his delight was offered a one-year deal which he immediately accepted.

"I finished my YTS at the end of the season and was told I was being released," said Evans. "Then I got a call a couple of weeks later to say there had been a change of heart because the club's future was sorted, and they were able to offer me a contract.

"I was actually shopping at the time when I got the telephone call and was delighted. It was great news. I was absolutely gutted when I was released and had even been for a job interview, and spoken to a couple of Welsh Premier League clubs.

"Nothing was concrete but I had no hesitation in signing a contract with Wrexham. It has been a time of highs and lows."

Wrexham-born Evans was spotted two years ago playing for his Yale College side and went on to be a regular in Joey Jones' reserves side.

Despite originally being told he was not being kept on, Smith has held Evans in high regard and he has been an unused substitute on three occasions for the Reds' first team in the last two seasons.

Evans has been given his chance during pre-season and has impressed in the heart of a four-man defence, and he is hoping he will get more opportunities when the League Two season begins next month.

"I have been chuffed to get my chance in pre-season," said Evans.

"I had been on the bench a few times but never got on, and being a Wrexham fan it made me more gutted I had never played for the first team when I was told I was being released.

"I am a massive Wrexham supporter and have been a season-ticket holder, and now I hope to do well as a player. I have been doing well in training and thought I've done okay in the three friendlies I've played.

"Pre-season is all about trying all the players out and it has been brilliant to play. All I can do is keep working hard, keep my head down and hopefully more chances will come this season. Hopefully I will do enough in pre-season to be in the squad for the first game against Wycombe Wanderers.

"Obviously the gaffer has brought in Steve Evans, and Dennis Lawrence and Shaun Pejic are good players and more experienced. But I am happy with the way things are going so far."

Reserves on a roll

While the first team enjoy their pre-season break in Northern Ireland, Wrexham's second string have been busy back home.

They go their pre-season under way with a 3-1 win at Gresford Athletic.

Paul Williams, Alex Darlington and Mark Stewart got the goals while Darlington added another two to his tally in a 3-2 win at Llandudno.

Jamie Reed, who only just missed out on a tour place to Northern Ireland, scored the third in a game that saw Jamie Price injure his shoulder after falling on the hard ground at Maesdu Park.