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Oldham sponsor ends relationship with club after being told Ched Evans will be signed on two and half year deal
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Oldham Athletic will sign convicted rapist Ched Evans this week, leading to a club sponsor ending their association with the League One outfit.
According to the BBC, sponsors have been told to prepare for an announcement confirming the signing of striker Evans on Thursday or Friday.
One sponsor, Verlin Rainwater Solutions, has now ended its association with the club as a result. Director Craig Verling said "We would like to take this opportunity to make clear that we feel that Mr Evans should be able to lead a life without further punishment after serving his sentence, although our feelings remain the same that this should not be within the public domain where his previous behaviour may influence the next generation."
"We sincerely wish the club a very successful future and have no regrets about being associated with Oldham Athletic over the past few seasons, but feel our continued support would be sending out the wrong message."
Evans was released from prison in October after serving half of a five year sentence for raping a 19 year old woman. Since his release speculation about his footballing future has divided opinion not only in football but the country as a whole.
When his former club Sheffield United announced they would be letting Evans train with them, a petition asking the club not to resign him collected over 120,000 signatures.
A similar petition for Oldham has over 50,000 signatures, when it emerged last week that they were looking at signing him.
It now appears that the club intend to go ahead with the deal, and an official announcement should be made by the end of the week.