I agree, it does. I don't think we've done the right thing, but I'm not in charge of what is and isn't the right thing.
I would have rather we hadn't signed him. We could be in the **** next summer and at the very least the company he keeps is questionable. We'd have been having a go at another club for signing him just like we did when other clubs signed the likes of Ched Evans, Lee Hughes and Luke Mccormick. It seems for some it's ok and different when we not someone else signs someone with a iffy character.
Great questions and comments. I'm really not sure how I'd have reacted if a local rival had signed him. Being totally honest here. All I can say is that I hope it all goes the right way with Wilks with his future conduct at BFC and the court case, as if he does get found guilty but not given a custodial sentence, I can't see me being very happy about my young daughter, niece and nephews idolisng a convicted criminal.
I wonder if a player already on Barnsley's books was charged with an offence similar to Wilks would he be suspended?
An important factor to have in mind in my view is his age at the time of the alleged offences. Many young men in my experience find themselves caught up in disorder and behave instinctively in the heat of the moment. Malik Wilks was a teenager at the relevant time so even if he is found to have acted unlawfully on that occasion it is hardly as if we are employing a seasoned criminal. I’ve done just short of 25 years in the criminal justice system, prosecuting and defending every type of offence including many serious public disorder trials. Including that time I have encountered plenty of lads in Malik’s position. They are young, naive, under the influence and in the wrong place at the wrong time and it can often be a very thin line between lawful self-defence/defence of others and unlawful violence/self-defence gone too far. The point is we have not employed a monster and whatever happens at his trial he’s likely to learn a very tough lesson and, even if the worst happens, deserves a chance to move on with his life and career.
Do you think it right that the club should give a contract to anyone charged with a serious criminal offence.
It depends on the circumstances and the character of the Individual. You can make it black or white if you like but life isn't like that. Are you saying that if he is genuinely remorseful, determined to sort his life out and move on then we and every other club should tell him to take a hike and potentially remove his way out of a wasted life? That may be the case with Wilks or he may be a total t****er. I don't know which and neither do you.
Ched Evans' conviction was quashed and he was found not guilty on a re-trial. This player in question is accused of a crime which he denies and has yet to come to court. Seems to me like a lot of people need to keep their mouth shut until the court procedure has taken place.
What’s your feelings on Joey Barton then? Personally think the club have scored a massive own goal on this signing.
the facts of the Evans case which appear to be undisputed is he took turns with his mate to have sex with a girl who’s ability to agree or disagree with it were and are extremely questionable. He’s an utter scum bag end of story and if did that to my daughter the court verdict wouldn’t matter to me.....
Joey Bartons previous crimes: 1. Stubbed a cigar out in a young lads eye. 2. Broke a persons leg by dangerous driving. 3. Assaulted a teenager in Thailand. 4. Assaulted teammate Dabo 5. Assaulted someone in Liverpool. Just in case anyone forgot
Dunno if it's already been mentioned, but didn't Adam Hammill assault some ambulance staff on a night out, before he came back to us?
So it’s fine for us to sign Wilks then just because he’s not been found guilty or not. Seems a bit two faced doesn’t it. So if he’s found guilty how do you feel then?
If he’s found guilty I want his contract ripping up and him to never play for us again. It’s hardly two faced, right now he’s an innocent man accused of something. Until he’s found guilty of that crime that doesn’t change, he's still innocent and should be free to do his job. The problem with this ill feeling is people are pre-emptively considering him guilty and treating his arrival as us signing a criminal rather then us signing someone who’s been accused of a crime, they are two different things entirely.
So if he’s found guilty then he’s on the same scale as Joey Barton? Not two faced no? Precisely why they club should have avoided this player.