Latics still ponder Evans deal

STATEMENT . . . Latics chief executive Neil Joy

LATICS fans are still no closer to knowing if their club will give convicted rapist Ched Evans a route back into football.

Chief executive Neil Joy said last night Latics would continue to have conversations and “conduct due diligence”.

A petition against Ched Evans joining the club now has close to 33,000 signatures, while a petition in support of signing the striker has 1,115.

Evans was released from prison last October, half-way through a five–year sentence for raping a 19–year–old woman. Since then he has been rejected by Hartlepool United and Tranmere Rovers.

Former club Sheffield United offered him a chance to train with them last November, but withdrew the invitation after it caused an uproar.

Latics began a second round of negotiations despite insisting last month the club wouldn’t sign him.

Since the announcement, fans and politicians have been quick to have their say.

Oldham Council leader Jim McMahon said: “Oldham Council enjoys a strong partnership with Oldham Athletic. My view is that playing for a professional club outs you in the public eye, and that carries important responsibilities. I don’t think Mr Evans would be a suitable role model and ambassador for the town or for the long-term reputation of the club.”

Labour leader Ed Miliband said: “I think it’s right Oldham thinks again. If I was in their shoes, he hasn’t shown remorse and I wouldn’t take him on.”

Debbie Abrahams, MP for Oldham East and Saddleworth, said: “I believe it would be wrong for Ched Evans to return to playing football for Oldham or any other club. As he is claiming his innocence and appealing against conviction, both he and football clubs should wait for the outcome before considering a return to the sport. It would send out an entirely inappropriate message to young fans and the victims of sex crimes for him to be signed by Oldham or anyone.”

Former Latics winger Rick Holden said: “I’m not comfortable with it at all. It’s one of those crimes that will never go away, in my opinion. I don’t see how the chap can survive, actually, given the ferocity of football up and down the land.”

Shehneela Ahmed, football agent and solicitor for the English FA, said: “Taking back an unrepentant convicted rapist would send a disturbing message to young people and victims of sexual violence.”


ONE of Latics’ main sponsors has threatened to pull out of the club if the Ched Evans deal goes aead.

Verlin Rainwater Solutions, the company whose branding features on the roof of the Rochdale Road stand at Sports Direct.com Park, told the Chronicle signing a convicted rapist would be against personal and company values.