Martin Evans and his winnings

A postal worker from Shrewsbury has proved he is on the ball by winning the manager of the month award in the Shropshire Star’s fantasy football game.

Martin Evans, 41, of Birchwood Drive, Heath Farm, scored 89 points in January with his team Hawks Flyers, named after his longstanding nickname.

This score put Mr Evans three points ahead of his nearest rival and won him 100 cans of beer, courtesy of sponsor Banks’s.

His winning team consisted of: Brad Friedel (Aston Villa), Stephen Carr (Birmingham), Emiliano Insua (Liverpool), Richard Dunne (Aston Villa), Roger Johnson (Birmingham), Frank Lampard (Chelsea), Cesc Fabregas (Arsenal), Matthew Taylor (Bolton), Joe Cole (Chelsea), Wayne Rooney (Man United), Eduardo (Arsenal).

Star reader Mr Evans is a fairly recent convert to fantasy football, having only started last season.

He said: “A workmate suggested that I play in the Shropshire Star game this time around.

“I have never won a prize before so it is great to get a manager of the month award.

“I look at all the team’s fixtures to make transfers to try to pick up points, as I would like to get among the overall leaders.” Father of one Mr Evans has worked as an HGV driver at the main Shrewsbury sorting office for 25 years.

He plays pool for the A team at the Brooklands pub, in Mill Road, Shrewsbury. He said: “It’s great being part of a successful team – we won division one in the Shrewsbury Sunday league last year.”

Mr Evans is a Shrewsbury Town fan but he followed Manchester City in his younger days. “I used to go when they were in the old Second Division,” he said. “Hopefully, all the good times are ahead.”

By Chris Leggett