Ched Evans and a little redemption.

I feel confident that you will have heard of Ched Evans. He is the footballer who has been convicted for rape and who has served two and a half years of his five year sentence. Many people want to bring back hanging, the stocks, tar and feathering for Ched Evans alone.

Before continuing I must make it clear that rape is a heinous crime. Nothing will change my mind on that.

Ched Evans has always denied he committed rape, which explains why he has neither shown remorse, nor apologised to his victim. The victim, at the time of the rape, claimed that she was almost unconscious, but if you watch the video of her walking into the hotel and passing reception, she is not falling over nor does she seem in the least bit drunk. She is carrying a pizza, then remembers that her handbag is still in the taxi. She dashes to the taxi, then retrieves her bag.

Furthermore, she has claimed rape before and the most cynical amongst us might believe that she was on the make: she wanted to accuse a relatively high profile sportsperson in order to bolster her bank account. Some say she has done this previously and settled out of court.

So, should Ched Evans play football ever again? Well, it seems his chances of playing for Sheffield United again, the club he played for at the time of his conviction, are nil. However, after forays of international interest, it appears that Oldham Athletic will sign him tomorrow.

And I, for one, am glad. Not just glad for the individual but for the fact that Oldham have had the courage, the sheer gumption to defy the petition their fans have handed in and to let the young man play.

Ched Evans, if he did commit rape, raped one person, one time, when he was twenty-three years old. Those people who are demanding his head, and demanding he never play football again, must not believe in redemption. If we do not believe in and do not apply redemption that means that most of us are to be condemned forever for the crimes we have committed. Prisons would be even more overcrowded, forgiveness, a major tenet of all major religions, would be ignored and no one would ever deserve a second chance. What kind of a world would that be?

Those who say Ched Evans should not be able to play football because footballers are role models, really need to do some research. There are numerous high profile players who have committed crimes; some have been charged with GBH, others drunk driving and in one case, causing the death of two young children by dangerous driving. These people are not role models, yet they play in the highest level of English football.

If Ched cannot play football as his job, would his enemies like to draw up a lst of jobs he can do? What exactly should he be allowed to do? The fact is that whether he may or may not be guilty, he will be chastened.

The fallout from all this must have an effect on his family and his loyal girlfriend, many who say, quite cruelly, that she is a Stepford wife. I am certain that his mother in particular, must be suffering. In her eyes, no doubt, her son has been to prison and he has served his time. All mothers and fathers must be relieved when their son or daughter's sentence is served.

I am a Sheffield United supporter and have frankly been ashamed of some of my fellow fans, including Jessica Ennis and Dave Berry. Why have they come out as judge and jury? In Ennis's case I would be happy to see her name removed from the stand as I do not know what it is doing there in the first place. I am not on my own in this opinion. 'The Blades' have a proud history and it would be much more relevant to have a footballer's name on that stand. There are plenty from which to choose.

The people who are sending death threats to Ched Evans and those, like me, who stick their neck out to wish him the best, at least believe in second chances. How foolish the screamers and screechers against Ched Evans will look if or when Ched Evans wins his appeal. Or when they themselves are found wanting in a serious way. A major tenet of Christianity is 'Judge not that ye be not judged.' I agree with that, even though I am not a Christian

As for Oldham, I would like to congratulate the club for taking Ched on in the face of such negativity. and opposition. I also hope that Ched is in the form of his life and bangs in goals for Oldham left, right and centre.