A football club wants to sign convicted rapist Ched Evans

Hartlepool United manager Ronnie Moore has said he wants to sign footballer and convicted rapist Ched Evans.

After the club's 1-1 draw with Oxford on Saturday, Moore, who took over as manager of the club this week, said that "if it could happen, I would want it to happen".

He is a proven scorer - he's served his time and the boy wants to play football.

If there is a chance he might come here, I don't see any reason why he shouldn't.

He has made a mistake and maybe he hasn't apologised in the right way - and I know he has an appeal case pending - but if he gets on the park, he would go a long way to getting us out of trouble.

• Ronnie Moore

Evans was told by his former club Sheffield United, who he had been training with following his release from prison, that they did not want him to sign or even to train with them any more last month after they received criticism from fans and the media.

Jessica Ennis-Hill asked for her name to be taken down from one of the club's stands if they wanted to sign Evans and club patron Charlie Webster resigned because they allowed him to train with them.

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