Evan David Horwood (born 10 March 1986) is an English professional footballer who played as a defender for Northern Premier League Division One East side Consett.
Coming through the youth academy at Sheffield United, he played professionally for Stockport County, Scunthorpe United, York City, Chester City, Darlington, Gretna, Carlisle United, Hartlepool United, Tranmere Rovers, Northampton Town and Grimsby Town. He wound his final years in the sport playing in the Cymru Premier for Bala Town and for non-league sides Whitby Town and West Auckland Town.
Early life
Born in Billingham, England, Horwood previously played for junior side St Francis before being scouted by the Hartlepool United and then Sunderland's academies. Horwood started his career with the Sheffield United youth system in July 2002, signing a three–year contract as a full-time scholar.
Career
Sheffield United
After progressing the ranks of Sheffield United Academy and Reserves, Horwood joined Stockport County on a one-month loan on 10 March 2005. He then made his Stockport County debut two days later, on 12 March 2005, in a 2–1 loss against Colchester United. His loan spell at Stockport County was extended until the end of the 2004–05 season in April, making 10 appearances in League One.
After Stockport County's unsuccessful attempt to re–sign Horwood, 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.
Horwood 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.
Horwood joined Darlington on a one-month loan in October 2006. He made his Darlington debut shortly after on 14 October 2006, in a 1–1 draw against Hereford United. However, Horwood returned to United due to an injury sustained against Barnet later that month. He re-joined the club on loan in January 2007. However, he 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. After serving a three-match ban, Horwood then set a goal for Neil Wainwright in a 2–0 win over Boston United on 10 February 2007. In the last game of the season against Stockport County, he was sent–off in the first half, in a 5–0 loss. His loan at Darlington was later extended until the end of the 2006–07 season and have established himself in the first team, in 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.
Carlisle United
He joined League One side Carlisle United on a free transfer later that month, where he signed a two-and-a-half-year contract.
Horwood made his Carlisle United debut on 2 February 2008, where he started the whole game, in a 2–1 win over Walsall. Since making his Carlisle United debut, Horwood established himself in the first team for the rest of the season. He also helped the side reach the play–offs, but was unsuccessful after losing to Leeds United 4–3 on aggregate. At the end of the 2007–08 season, Horwood had made 22 appearances in all competitions. Reflecting on his performance, Manager John Ward said: "Young Evan Horwood has come in and done a great job."