JONNY EVANS MBE

CLASS OF 2003

Northern Ireland and Premier League Football

I am a professional football player for Manchester United, a Northern Ireland international with 106 appearances to my name and a former pupil of Belfast High School. During my 18 years as a professional I have represented four other football clubs as a player: Royal Antwerp FC of Belgium and three clubs in England – Sunderland, West Bromwich Albion and Leicester City.

I left Belfast High School when I was 15 years old, halfway through Year 11, in order to pursue my dream of becoming a professional footballer. When I reflect on that period it was quite a daunting experience, having to leave the comforts of my family, my friends and, of course, my school. However, on the other hand, it was a time filled with excitement and I was determined to fulfil my dream. I always felt very fortunate that I had great support from everyone at school, including my classmates and teachers who wished me well.

I moved to Manchester and at the age of 16 I joined the academy system on a full-time basis in the hope of one day making an appearance in the first team of the club I grew up supporting.

Undoubtedly, one of my career highlights came not too long after when I made my full debut for Northern Ireland against Spain aged 18 years and 246 days (September 2006) and we defeated arguably the world’s best team at the time courtesy of a David Healy hat-trick. It’s a night which has gone down in football folklore for Northern Ireland supporters. One year later I was making my debut and first of almost 200 appearances for Manchester United and that was a dream come true. Winning a trophy is without doubt the pinnacle for a professional sportsperson and over the course of my career to date I have been fortunate to win one EFL Championship title, three Premier League titles, two League Cups and one FA Cup.

Representing Northern Ireland at the European Championships in France in 2016, however, has without doubt been one of my most memorable times in football. To represent my country at a major tournament was a privilege and an honour and one which I often reflect on.

After eight years playing elsewhere in England’s Premier League, I have returned to the place where it all began at Manchester United – and I hope to continue my playing career there as long as possible.

Reflecting on my career to date, I feel extremely privileged to have experienced more triumphs than I could ever have dreamt of. Alongside the trophies and medals that I have won, I think one of my biggest personal achievements has been my ability to be able to accept the sacrifices that were necessary in order to give myself the best possible chance to achieve my dreams.

Although there are many highs as a top-level sportsperson, an acceptance of the lows has also granted me freedom to be able to have the courage to never give up and keep pushing myself beyond any doubts that may have arisen.

The education that I received at Belfast High School has always been a huge source of pride in my life and a massive platform from which I have been able to build. I carry many of the principles that I learnt at Belfast High School with me in life, including respect for authority and the resilience instilled within us as pupils. Those things have always stayed with me and guided my life as a professional athlete.