Ched Evans

[JimmyJazz64]

Just heard on the radio that Oldham are possibly signing him

Not really sure what I think about him. Guess it would become more important if Lennon decided to sign him for us.

On one hand, he's appealed against his original sentence saying it wasn't rape. Also, he's served the sentence handed down (well, the length that was determined that he should serve inside) and like any ex-prisoner should be rehabilitated.

On the other hand he was convicted of rape which is possibly one of the most disgusting of crimes. Even if it wasn't rape it was a horrendously sordid episode.

Should he be allowed to resurrect a football career? Or should he be a pariah for evermore?

It's ironic that Oldham have popped up in the news since they were one of the clubs that gave Lee Hughes a way back into football

[danm1992]

It's a difficult one, and I can relate to both sides of the argument.

Personally I wonder why any club think he might be worth all the problems signing him would bring. You'd think he was a world beater before he spent two and a half years in a prison cell.

[eric1953]

People say he has served his time, he should be able to return to his profession.

A doctor,solicitor,policeman, the list goes on would not be able to return to his profession if convicted of a crime.

My big problem with this is the fact that the young girl was treated like a piece of meat by two pampered privileged footballers. A text to Evans "I've got a bird" or similar indicates to me that it was a huge joke to them.

Evans is being funded by his girlfriends rich daddy, I bet he is indulging his pampered brat emotionally.

If he wins his appeal, then yes, he should be given a contract by some club. But he is still a scumbag.

[referee_its_offside]

The guy is simply a cocky , convicted rapist. He deserves all the total abuse he will get from away fans. - view external link

[gardsPNE]

The guy is simply a cocky , convicted rapist. He deserves all the total abuse he will get from away fans.

Totally agree with you and no matter how certain fans paint the picture (SUFC) he has been convicted and served time for rape. Like earlier in the Thread said if you were a Copper, Doc etc you would not be able to go back into that profession. Football in my head is no different and very high profile and its fanbase is kids, adults, girls & ladies so why would any female want to be watching a convicted rapist.

[alfinyalcabo]

The guy is simply a cocky , convicted rapist. He deserves all the total abuse he will get from away fans.

And home fans..

[lord_hooray]

The papers keep making the mistake that he has already lost an appeal, no he hasn't, he has lost an appeal for leave to appeal the conviction. Now apparently there is new evidence. We will never hear the end of this but the courts should be allowed to hear his appeal. If he wins the appeal then he should be allowed to play, the girl is no angel either.
Everyone knows the case by now, his mate got off for doing exactly the same thing and she can't remember anything. They are both a pair of sordid scumbags but was one worse than the other. I don't like this mob rule either, 40,000 "Oldham" fans have signed a petition to stop him playing.

[JimmyJazz64]

Setting aside all the arguments about whether a convicted offender should be rehabilitated, or whether he will eventually appeal and perhaps be found innocent, this quote from eric pretty much sums it up for me

[quote="eric1953" or similar indicates to me that it was a huge joke to them. [/quote]

My only sympathy with him is that we've heard this sort of behaviour before, but footballers who are more famous, and/or play for bigger clubs, have appeared to be able to use expensive lawyers and/or gagging orders...allegedly

As for the 40,000 Oldham "fans", well that will only push people to the pro-Evans camp in my opinion