League 2 side Hartlepool move swiftly to squash Ched Evans rumour

Football News 24/7

Unlike Sheffield United who took an absolute age to finally decide not to have Ched Evans back, Hartlepool United have wasted no time in squashing rumours the convicted rapist was joining them.

Evans, still only 25 was released in October after serving half of a five-year sentence for the rape of a 19-year-old woman in a hotel room in 2011.

Hartlepool manager Ronnie Moore had said he was considering signing the former Sheffield United striker.

But in a statement the club said they "do not intend signing Ched Evans" despite "his obvious ability as a football player".

Evans, who has played 13 times for Wales, maintains his innocence and has asked the Criminal Cases Review Commission to review his case.

Moore took charge of the Football League's bottom club on Tuesday.

Speaking after Saturday's 1-1 home draw with Oxford, he said of Evans: "He is a proven scorer. He's served his time and the boy wants to play football. If it could happen, I'd want it to."

Hartlepool have since announced Moore was responding "hypothetically" to an "unsubstantiated internet rumour".

Posted on 21st December 2014