All over? It is now for rape shame Ched Evans

RAPIST footballer Ched Evans’ career looked finished last night after Oldham Athletic prepared to veto a deal to sign him.

END OF THE ROAD?: Ched Evans' career could be over

The 26-year-old was due to train with the club yesterday before being unveiled as a new striker.

But a public backlash, bolstered by a 30,000-strong petition against the move, forced the struggling League One side to reconsider.

The board was holding talks over the deal last night and had not ruled out signing him. But the uproar is likely to scupper the deal.

Two club sponsors, Verlin Rainwater Solutions and Mecca Bingo, threatened to cut ties if it signed Evans.

Women’s groups slammed the club and Greater Manchester Police and Crime Commissioner Tony Lloyd condemned Oldham’s interest in the ex-Sheffield United forward.

Evans was released from jail in October after serving half his five-year term for the attack on a 19-year-old woman in a hotel room.

Craig Verlin, director of Verlin Rainwater Solutions, the club’s main stand sponsor, insisted: “I wouldn’t want to support a club who supports a convicted rapist.”

Mr Lloyd said it would send out “entirely the wrong message” if Oldham signed him.

He added Evans’ “lack of remorse” meant it was “inappropriate” for him to present himself as “some kind of role model”.

Oldham boss Lee Johnson admitted the club was in a “very difficult situation” but local MP Debbie Abrahams said it would be “wrong” for Evans to start playing again for any club while he was appealing his conviction.

And Northumbria Police and Crime Commissioner Vera Baird urged Newcastle United’s Mike Ashley to drop Sports Direct’s sponsorship of Oldham if they signed him.

She said: “He should not be taken on as a footballer with the high-profile heroism that young people attach to such figures.”

But Evans’ half-brother Ryan Roberts tweeted his support for the forward, saying the petition formed part of a “witch-hunt”.

Model Nicola McLean, 33, also defended him, adding: “Mike Tyson three years for rape went straight back to boxing and a movie star role model? And he maintains his innocence.”

Oldham chief executive Neil Joy said it would “conduct due diligence” during talks over the potential signing.