Selby Town manager apologises over Reece Thompson signing

The manager of Selby Town football club has apologised to the family of the victim of footballer Reece Thompson.

It's after the club outlined plans to sign the player, who had been convicted of domestic violence.

Fans criticised the news, saying the signing would send the wrong message to abuse victims.

In a personal statement, club manager Christian Fox said recent events surrounding the club have been severely misjudged.

Here's the statement in full:

As manager of Selby Town FC I want to make a statement.

The recent events surrounding the club have been severely misjudged. Thinking of giving someone like that an opportunity was misplaced and we should have realised that after the first incident. To think about it twice was extremely insensitive. There is not one individual person to blame on this and we should have been aware of the depth of ill feeling the matter would attract.

We have dragged up horrible memories for individuals and families who suffer from domestic abuse. There is one victim who has suffered more than anyone in this and to her and her family we offer our unreserved apologies. We need to try and offer her some comfort and we will be writing to her privately.

I want the club to be able to move on from this but I know It is going to take time and for a lot of people, that won’t be possible.

On a personal level, I will be reaching out to the domestic abuse service companies in the area to try and build a relationship with them and support them in raising awareness of this horrible violence.

I know words will never be enough but believe me when I say how sorry we are with the upset we have caused so many. We are not trying to make excuses or cover anything up.

I hope once again Selby Town FC will be able to regain trust and rebuild its standing in the community.

Christian