By Joe Heslop

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Following Ched Evans retrial he was found not guilty of rape and is now an innocent man in the eyes of the law. He is now back playing football for league two strugglers Chesterfield United. He has hit form since signing for the Spireites and this weekend could make it 3 goals in as many games, Chesterfield take on Bolton on Saturday with Ched Evans in fine goal scoring form bagging 5 goals in his 15 appearances for the club. We will now take a look at 4 other footballers who have been to jail during their careers, been released from jail and continued playing football.

Joey Barton

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Controversial figure Joey Barton is well known as a bad-boy of modern football for his bad temper and often outrageous outbursts on the pitch. As a result of this he has served 100 days in jail on different occasions throughout his career. He is also remembered for his days as a QPR player on the last day of the season being sent off against Manchester city for elbowing City striker Carlos Tevez, after being shown the red card he then kneed Sergio Aguero before attempting to headbut Vincent Kompany. Since his latest release from prison he has gone on to play for clubs such as Marseille and Rangers before being released from the later for his involvement in a training ground bust up. He is now a free agent while also doing occasional punditry work on television.

Troy Deeney

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In June 2012 the Watford striker was jailed for 10 months following an attack on a group of students. The incident took place in Birmingham following a night out and Deeney can be seen in CCTV footage kicking a defenceless victim on the floor. Since serving his sentence he has gone on to become a hero among Watford fans and has gained promotion to the premier league where they have cemented their place thanks to his important goals. The striker has claimed going to jail was ‘the best thing to ever happen to him’ and has gone from strength to strength after being released 2 months into his sentence for good behaviour. Since his release he has gone on to score 88 goals for Watford as is currently captain of the Premier League club.

Marlon king

The Ex- Birmingham striker has served three jail sentences during his career and has other convictions such as criminal damage, speeding and drink driving. In between the sentences, he returned to play football for various club’s including Coventry City and Birmingham before hanging up his boots in 2013 following a brief stint with Sheffield United where he scored once in eight appearances.

Luke McCormick

The goalkeeper started his career at Plymouth argyle after coming through the academy there before signing a professional contract in 2000. In 2008 however, the keeper was arrested for causing death by dangerous driving following a crash on his way home from a former team mates wedding. The following day he was charged with two counts of causing death by dangerous driving, driving with excess alcohol in his blood and driving with no insurance. Plymouth Argyle suspended the player on 2nd July and his contract was terminated on the 22nd. He pleaded guilty to all charges and was sentenced to seven years and four months in prison and a four-year driving ban on 6th October 2008. On 6th June 2012, McCormick was released from prison and went on to play for Conference south team Truro City and Oxford United before returning to Plymouth Argyle in 2013. The season of 2014/15 was a success for the goalkeeper resulting in him being named the club’s player of the season, he is still with the club, however, has not made an appearance yet this season.

Blast from the past…

Graham French

Graham French was best known as a winger for Luton town between 1965 and 1973, however, he was also known for the wrong reasons as his temperament spoke for him a lot of the time as he was known for starting games worse for wear after sessions at local pubs. In 1970 though French was jailed for 3 years following a shooting incident. He came out of jail and was offered a return to Luton Town however he struggled to regain his place and ended his career with a short spell at Reading before appearing 3 times for American team Boston Minutemen. He then had 2 years out before finishing his career at Southport in 1976 under the new name of Gary Lafite.