EVANS WATCH: Timeline of events...

Photo: PICTURE by ANTHONY MILLER

Timeline of Events

April 20, 2012: Evans found guilty of raping a 19-year-old woman in a hotel in May, 2011 while he was a forward at Sheffield United.

May 30, 2012: Sheffield United release Evans, a player they signed from Manchester City for £3 million in 2009.

July 19, 2014: Evans launches a fresh bid to have his conviction overturned by asking the Criminal Cases Review Commission to examine his case in the hope it will lead to a new appeal.

October 17, 2014: Having served half of his five-year sentence, Evans is released from Wymott Prison, near Leyland.

October 19, 2014: The CCRC says it is to fast-track its investigation into the Evans conviction and says the process could begin within weeks.

October 15, 2014: Sheffield United boss Nigel Clough says talks have taken place about the possibility of Evans returning to the Blades.

November11, 2014: Almost 150,000 people sign a petition urging Sheffield United not to take Evans back. But club officials say they intend to allow Evans to train with them following a request from the Professional Footballers’ Association. Television presenter Charlie Webster resigns as a patron of Sheffield United.”

November 12, 2014: Two more Sheffield United patrons — Sixties pop star Dave Berry and Sheffield businesswoman Lindsay Graham — resign. Sheffield United shirt sponsor DBL Logistics says it will end its association with the club if they re-sign Evans, while Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg — the MP for Sheffield Hallam — reiterates his earlier statement that footballers have a “public responsibility to set an example”.

November 13, 2014: Olympic champion Jessica Ennis-Hill says she wants her name to be removed from a stand named after her by Sheffield United if the club offer Evans a contract.

November 20, 2014: Sheffield United retract their offer to let Evans use their training facilities following consultation with supporters, officials, staff and sponsors.

December 1, 2014: Oldham Athletic deny reports linking Evans with a move to the club.

December 3, 2014: The CCRC begins an inquiry into the rape conviction of Evans. The investigation could take 35 weeks.

December 20, 2014: Hartlepool boss Ronnie Moore says he would like to sign Evans. “He is a proven scorer,” says Moore. “He’s served his time and the boy wants to play football.”

December 21, 2014: Hartlepool say they will not be signing Evans, “irrespective of his obvious ability as a football player”.

January 2, 2015: Maltese side Hibernians say they want to sign the Wales striker on a deal until the end of the season and have made him an offer.

January 3, 2015: The Evans camp deny any offer from Hibernians, while a Ministry of Justice (MoJ) spokesperson says strict conditions imposed on sex offenders “effectively rules out working abroad”.

January 4, 2015: PFA chief Gordon Taylor reveals an unnamed club will hold a news conference regarding Evans, although no deal has yet been signed.

January 5, 2015: Oldham Athletic may not go through with the deal to sign Evans after thousands sign an online petition urging Latics not to add him to their squad.

January 6, 2015: Oldham Council leader Jim McMahon says as things stand, he does’t think Mr Evans would be a suitable role model or ambassador for the town or long-term reputation of the club, while Debbie Abrahams, MP for Oldham East and Saddleworth, insists it would send out out an “entirely inappropriate” message to young fans.

January 7, 2015: According to reports, Ched Evans agrees two-and-a-half-year contract. Verlin Rainwater Solutions, Mecca Bingo, NMU and Nando’s withdraw sponsorship from the club.

January 8, 2015: Deal is sensationally called off as club comes under mounting pressure.