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Football

05th Jan 2015

Poll: Should Ched Evans hang up his boots for good after Oldham outrage?

The striker looks destined to miss out on a move to Boundary Park

Patrick McCarry

Welsh striker appears to be stuck in another footballing cul-de-sac as Oldham Athletic frantically u-turn on contract offer

The latest Ched Evans olive branch may be snapped after Oldham distanced themselves from signing the striker after being taken by surprise by the entirely predictable response to the potential deal.

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Evans, who was convicted for rape in 2012, has forlornly searched for a club since his release from prison last year.

Sheffield United looked set to allow the Welsh international train with the club in November only for them to revoke the invite after a public backlash.

Maltese club Hibernian attempted, in the words of their assistant manager, to bring Evans’ footballing talents abroad and ‘buy a cut-price Ferrari’. The move was nixed by the United Kingdom’s Ministry of Justice.

League One side Oldham were then reported to be on the verge of offering Evans a playing contract until the end of the season but, following disparaging comments from their manager Lee Johnson, the switch may be dead in the water.

Speaking to the BBC in November, Oldham chairman Simon Corney stated: ‘I believe in the law of the land and my understanding is Ched went away and did his time in prison. I know this is an argument people don’t like but if he was an electrician and came out of jail he is entitled to work again.’

Whether Evans works (plays football) again at Oldham or elsewhere remains to be seen at this stage.

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