I don't really see grey areas. I can rate to drunken one night stands but that is not what this was. He was texted by his mate saying he had "got a bird" at which point he went to the hotel to find her paralytic but be shagged her anyway while his brother filmed it through the window from the fire escape. I can't relate to that. It's so easy to pick fault because it's f*cking despicable. As for turning it down if offered, he wasn't offered it, except perhaps by his mate who isn't in a position to offer someone else's body. She might not have actually said no but that was because she was unable to. Having just turned up to find her laid on a bed hammered he had no reason to believe she consented, unlike his mate who had spent the night chatting her up. What he did was classed as rape, and rightly so. Yes there are worse examples but that doesn't make it ok. I hope he never plays football again and if he were to sign for tarn I'd be disgusted.
The fact that anyone would welcome him back to any football club disgusts me. If we signed him then I'm sorry it would be the end of me supporting BFC. It wouldn't surprise me if Sheff Utd re-sign him - they are a club that lack any form of class or respect.
If he signs and scores 30+ next season and helps us to promotion he'll be a hero. That's how fickle this board is
1. Evans is a convicted rapist and I would not welcome him to the club! and don't believe anyone would... 2. He was found guilty by a jury... but Evans plans to appeal to clear his name... 3. I wasn't there... nor were many of the experts who have quoted blow by blow accounts above... The press, friends and family can all twist story their way... Depends which paper you read as many claims (quoted above) appear to incaccurate if you read chedevans.com 4. Is he guilty or was this a miscarriage of justice? The only people who actually know what went on are the alleged victim, Evans and Mcdonald... 5. He is unlikely to sign but if he did, would you stop supporting the club, really honestly...? I wouldn't welcome Evans whilst he remains convicted of the crime... but I wouldn't stop supporting my club! 6. Where ever he goes, contravercy will follow... footballers are public figures so spotlight is on them... and if he wants rebuild a career in football... he must show remorse for his crime and be an ambassador both on and off the field... working charities, victims and educating teenagers (about respect for opposite sex)... he cannot undo that that night, but he can try to do good going forward... If no one supports reform of criminal once they have served time we may as well bring back hanging... Can we talk about the Crawley game now...! Clear out was needed this summer and new look side is looking good for top 6 imho providing we add a decent right winger and another forward to the squad... also looking forward to seeing some of the young guns step up and make claim for first xi... COME ON YOU REDS!!!
Forgetting the morality for just one second, wasn't this guy supposed to be on something daft wages wise?
Pretty much my view - OK its not quite the same as jumping on someone who is walking past in the park but if you think about it its completely out of order The facts as I understand them - but as I wasnt in court I might not be completely correct bloke and bird go to hotel get drunk and have sex - so far we are at one night stand and the bloke involved wasnt convicted Second bloke then arrives and has sex with her whilst she is too drunk to know whats going on - you have to admit thats rape - at least in the eyes of the law and the view of most people Jury decided thats what happened and so we have to assume that the evidence points to that I dont want him - not saying I would send my season ticket back but I will be very disappointed if we sign him. If new evidence comes to light that means the understanding I have above turns out to be wrong I would need a re-think but for now thats where I stand. Dont think we will sign him anyway - isnt he still inside sentenced to 5 years at end April 2012 so not even eligable to apply for Parole until the end of October so that may make it a bit tricky for him to sign for anyone until November at the earliest I would have thought Also I might be wrong but dont you normally need to acknowledge guilt to be eligible for parole?
Thats hardly unbiased though and also I dont think it is the truth the whole truth and nothing but the truth for example "The only evidence of what sexual activity occurred came from the accounts of his co-accused Clayton McDonald who also had sex with the complainant and was found not guilty of rape, Ched, and the night porter who was listening outside the room." I am fairly sure it was reported that the rape was filmed on a mobile phone. If the only evidence was as stated there its quite hard to see a Jury convicting
It was Oldham Athletic that gave him his first chance and he banged them in for them at a very good rate. Both players found guilty of terrible crimes and it can be argued which case was the worst of the two.
Think he might have a weakened negotiating position now though clubs aren't going to be queuing up to sign him