TROUBLED TIMELINE

JULY 2011 Sheffield United striker Ched Evans is charged with rape.

APRIL 2012 He maintains his innocence but is jailed for five years.

NOV 2012 An appeal is rejected by three judges.

OCT 2014 He’s released from prison halfway into sentence.

NOV 2014 Series of clubs say they are in talks to sign Evans before pulling out of deal in face of public condemnation.

OCT 2015 The case is referred to Court of Appeal after new evidence emerges.

APRIL 2016 Court of Appeal quashes the conviction and orders a retrial.

JUNE 2016 Evans signs oneyear contract at Chesterfield.

OCT 2016 Retrial jury finds him not guilty of rape.