Reece Thompson: Non-league Selby Town reverse decision to sign player jailed for domestic violence

The player served three years in prison for assault and grievous bodily harm and is subject to a 10-year restraining order

(Getty Images)

Non-league Selby Town have walked back their decision to sign a player who was jailed for domestic violence after heavy criticism.

The club confirmed they had listened to the feedback from fans and decided against signing Reece Thompson.

The player was sentenced to three years in prison for assault and grievous bodily harm and is subject to a 10-year restraining order, was set to feature for the club against Emley on Tuesday night.

A club statement read: “Further to our previous statement, we have listened to all of the comments and Reece Thompson will not be signing for Selby Town Football Club.”

The move ends a saga for the club which attracted scorn from the football community, with Selby initially reversing a decision to sign the former York City striker. They claimed at first it was a "serious error of judgement" after Thompson had played on a trial basis against Tadcaster in August.

However, in an updated statement, Selby then confirmed their intent to allow Thompson a chance to resume his career: "The club does not condone Reece's actions and we can only imagine the impact upon those involved.

"For what he has done, Reece has rightly been judged in a court of law and served his sentence.

"With that sentence now served and with the ongoing work Reece carries out to understand and learn from his behaviour, we have come to the conclusion that it is not our place to continue to further punish Reece for his actions."

Fans responded angrily on the club's social media accounts, with one writing: "Will never go to watch this team is supported all my life again. Please reconsider or accept losing lifelong fans like me."

Others called the move "disgusting", "absolutely disgraceful" and "an astonishingly misjudged decision".

In April 2019 a court heard how Thompson had subjected his partner to a three-day ordeal in which he hit her with an iron bar and forced her to eat paint.

PA