Owen explains stance as Taylor exits from board

BARRY Owen insists he has no regrets over the pursuit of Ched Evans, but the saga has brought about the resignation of a board member.

Owen stepped down as chairman of Trust Oldham in a development he said was unconnected with the failed Evans signing. He will remain on the board until a suitable replacement can be found.

The Chronicle also understands Richard Taylor has resigned from the club’s board.

While there has been no confirmation and no statement from Mr Taylor (30), a lifelong Athletic fan who became a director last July, we believe he was against the bid to sign Evans and resigned midweek when the deal was under consideration.

Mr Taylor was brought on to the board by chairman Simon Corney and was set to play a major role in the commercial aspects of the new North Stand.

Owen, who said that he “understood” and “empathised” with the widespread opposition to a move for convicted rapist Evans, insisted the move fell apart in the end as a result of financial pressure.

“I will never regret it,” said Owen. “I am hugely disappointed for many reasons I can’t discuss.

“We knew there would be a storm to bear and were prepared to accept a lot of that because we believed strongly in the right to employ this man.

“In the end it came purely down to finances. We would have been in extreme financial difficulty with the withdrawal of sponsorships.”

Manager Lee Johnson had been kept in the loop during negotiations, he revealed on Saturday.

“Of course, I was consulted,” he said. “It was a unique signing and one that could only have been made by the board, as there were so many different aspects.”