Oldham Lose Sponsors Amid Evans Deal
Nando’s has become the latest sponsor to sever ties with Oldham Athletic as the club closed in on the possible signing of convicted rapist Ched Evans.
The fast food chain follows local firm Verlin Rainwater Solutions out the door, while two other sponsors, Zen Office and Mecca Bingo, confirmed they would no longer pursue deals with the club if the signing of Evans went ahead.
Nando’s sponsored the awarding of prizes to fans on matchdays but announced on its Twitter account that it would end its association with the League One club in the wake of the Evans controversy.
The chain said: “RE Oldham signing: we’d have liked to continue our involvement with fan prizes at matches but feel we can no longer continue our association.”
Craig Verling, a director of Verlin Rainwater Solutions which sponsors a stand at Boundary Park, added: “After receiving the news regarding the imminent signing of Ched Evans it is with great regret that Verlin Rainwater Solutions will no longer be associated with Oldham Athletic.
“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.”
Evans’ move to Oldham was eventually called off on Thursday, with the striker set to sign a two-and-a-half-year contract worth £2,500-a-week, according to media reports.
More than 60,000 people have signed a petition calling for Oldham not to sign the Wales international, while campaigners and politicians have voiced opposition to the move.
Meanwhile, a counter-petition calling for Evans to be given a second chance has attracted more than 2,000 signatures, while some sponsors have also said he should be given a second chance.
Evans was jailed in April 2012 for raping a woman in Rhyl, North Wales, and was released from prison in October after serving half of a five-year sentence.
