Ched Evans makes league football return with Chesterfield but former Sheffield Utd man’s career hangs in balance
Welsh striker back in the game after having conviction for raping 19-year-old quashed but faces retrial in October
Sponsored by
CHED EVANS returns to league football today after a four-year absence — but his long-term future as a player remains uncertain.
Evans makes his debut for Chesterfield at promoted Oxford after being convicted in April 2012 of raping a 19-year-old woman.
The former Sheffield United striker served half of a five-year jail sentence before having his conviction quashed on appeal four months ago.
He signed a one-year deal worth £2,000-a-week with the Spireites and got two goals in three pre-season outings for the League One outfit.
But he faces a retrial in October and the verdict could define the rest of his life, never mind this season.
Proact boss Danny Wilson, who managed Evans at the Blades, has been a staunch supporter of Evans, 27, and regularly visited him in prison.
Related Stories
He said: “If Ched plays anything like we know he can, he will be a fabulous asset to us. What we can’t do is talk about the future because we just don’t know.”
Meanwhile, Oxford boss Michael Appleton has not finished bolstering his squad — despite signing 11 players.
Appleton said: “I think there will be a lot of movement once the season starts.
“A lot of the Championship clubs have massive squads and there will be a lot of lower league sides watching.”