Hartlepool FC slams Labour candidate over Evans row

Striker Ched Evans who was convicted of rape Credit: PA

A football club has urged fans to "think carefully" before voting for the sitting Labour MP after he spoke out against plans to sign striker Ched Evans who was convicted of rape.

Hartlepool Football Club claimed on its website that Labour candidate Iain Wright made his comments about the controversial signing for "political gain".

In December, Wright described Evans as a "pariah"and expressed his pleasure when Hartlepool ruled out signing him.

In its online statement, the Sky Bet League Two club said that Conservative candidate Richard Royal and Phillip Broughton of UKIP had attended games and shown "current and future interest" in the club.

It also claimed Wright, who says on his website he is a season-ticket holder, had failed to back the club on a separate matter.

Also standing in the election are Hilary Allen (Liberal Democrat), Sandra Allison (Save Hartlepool Hospital), John Hobbs (Independent), Michael Holt (Green) and Stephen Picton (Independent).