STEVE EVANS can sleep a bit easier now, knowing that Wrexham’s non-league nightmare is finally over.

The former Wales defender was in the Wrexham team that lost its Football League status after a 2-0 defeat at Hereford United on April 22 2008.

Just 12 months before, boss Brian Carey and his players sprayed champagne and beer after a 3-1 last-day victory meant Wrexham stayed up in their do-or-die decider with Boston United.

Evans, who played in that game too, couldn’t believe Wrexham had failed to see the warning signs as the Reds, with ex-Premier League boss Brian Little now at the helm, lost their Football League status.

“I’ll never forget that night at Hereford, being on the pitch and seeing the faces of fans at the final whistle,” said Evans.

“I’ve had two bad experiences in football. Snapping my Achilles heel and getting relegated with Wrexham.

“From that day on, I’ve always felt ‘I owe Wrexham FC’ for being part of that team that suffered relegation.

“It’s taken 15 years, a few near misses along the way, but it’s such a relief that they are back in the Football League.”

Evans was at The Racecourse to see the Reds beat Yeovil Town to set up the title-winning victory over Boreham Wood on April 22 - 15 years to the day Wrexham were relegated at Hereford.

“It’s so deserved,” added Evans, who has had a season to remember himself, steering Colwyn Bay to a Cymru North league and cup double.

“The atmosphere that night was great and I know it was even better on the night they lifted the title. Wrexham town was buzzing!

“It’s brilliant for the fans to experience a promotion season and the new owners have given everyone hope and you would expect Wrexham to do well next season.”

Evans didn’t experience a promotion campaign during his three-year stay at The Racecourse but as a proud Wrexham boy, he has fantastic memories of the iconic stadium, including a debut goal.

Evans, fresh from his move from Welsh Premier League champions, The New Saints, headed Denis Smith’s Reds into a 16th minute lead in a 3-0 home win over Grimsby Town on August 8 2006.

“I remember my celebrations. I went mad,” said Evans. “It’s a good job the gates on the Kop were shut otherwise I’d have been halfway down Regent Street!

“Then to play for Wales and line up at The Racecourse in an international match. I’ll never forget that moment and how proud I was at playing for my country at my home-town ground.”

Evans started the game against Liechtenstein alongside Ryan Giggs and Craig Bellamy and Reds’ team-mates Chris Llewellyn and Mark Jones, helping John Toshack’s Wales win 4-0 in front of nearly 9,000 fans.

“Obviously it is every player’s dream to represent your country, for me it is the highest achievement in football,” said Evans.

“It was the proudest moment in my career, especially making my Wales debut at my hometown club.

“I got the call on the Sunday morning off Wrexham secretary Geraint Parry saying I had been named in the squad.

“I met up at Carden Park in the evening and trained on the Monday morning. After training John Toshack spoke to me and said ‘how would you like to represent your country?’

“My exact words were ‘I’d f****** love to!”

Evans won seven caps for his country, including another match at Wrexham in May 2007 when Wales drew 2-2 against New Zealand.

His arms then began to ache with all the silverware he lifted as a player and coach with The New Saints before the chance to go-it-alone as a manager with Colwyn Bay came along.

“When Colwyn Bay came calling, it really appealed to me,” said Evans, who led The Seagulls to the Cymru North league and cup double this season

“They’d been in the English system and were now aiming to make it big in the Welsh set-up.

“It’s a real community club where the potential is massive. We had 1,400 there for one game this season and we’ll definitely bring in the crowds in the Cymru Premier League next season.

“I was lucky when I came in because there were good players to work with.

“I’m quite a demanding boss and we do work hard, very hard - and that will continue next season.

“We’ll be in the top flight for the first time and I’ll be telling the players to embrace it and that there’s nothing to be scared of!”