Both Of Sheffield United's Female Patrons Have Now Resigned Over Convicted Rapist Ched Evans

Charlie Webster and Lindsay Graham have resigned over the return of Ched Evans

Sheffield United's only female patrons have both resigned over the return of convicted rapist Ched Evans.

Lindsay Graham has followed in the footsteps of TV presenter Charlie Webster by leaving her position at the football club. She has stated it's for 'personal reasons'.

Ched Evans has not yet been re-signed to Sheffield United but he has been allowed to resume training with the club.

Webster explained her decision to quit during an interview on BBC's Newsnight: 'Nobody's making a decision and I suppose I feel I need to make a decision as patron of Sheffield United.

'My decision, which I've informed the club about a little bit earlier on, is that I resign as patron of Sheffield United, Sheffield United Community Foundation, which is all about inspiring the next generation through sport. My decision is made on the fact that I don't believe a convicted rapist, as in Ched Evans, should go back to a club that I am patron of and should go back into the community to represent the community.'

She continued: 'He's not just going into a job, he's bandied as a role model, we cheer him on as a role model and he's influencing the next generation of young men who are currently still making their decisions on how to treat women and what sexual mutual consent is.'

A third patron, singer Dave Berry, has also stepped down from his role in order to take a 'moral stand.' He said that allowing the convicted rapist to train was sending out 'completely the wrong message.'

Evans was released from prison last month having served half of a five-year sentence after being convicted of raping a woman in a hotel room in Rhyl, North Wales. The footballer denied rape, saying the sex was consensual, but he was found guilty by a jury at Caernarfon Crown Court.