Barry Town United, a football club in Wales, has been left stunned after discovering that their vice-captain, Evan Press, has been sentenced to two and a half years in prison for dealing cocaine. Evan Press, a 24-year-old midfielder, had been a key player for Barry Town United in the Cymru Premier league, having played in every game this season. The club revealed that they were completely unaware of the situation until after Evan Press was sentenced on March 19th. A club spokesman expressed their shock, stating, “Being brutally honest we only heard about this on the day he was sentenced. He had never told us.”
Despite the news of Evan Press’ imprisonment, the Newport County academy product continued to play for Barry Town United in the matches following his court appearance where he pleaded guilty to drug dealing charges. He had even captained the team in 19 out of 33 matches this season. The club spokesman acknowledged that they are still processing the news and described Evan as a “wonderful young man” who had been with the club for seven years. Emphasising the club’s values of promoting role models, they reiterated that Evan’s actions were surprising to them.
Evan Press, a valued player at around £42,000, has been a significant contributor to Barry Town United since joining in 2018, playing 187 matches and scoring 11 goals. With Evan’s contract set to expire at the end of the season, the club clarified that there are no financial implications due to his imprisonment as he is only paid when he plays. Despite the challenges of replacing a key player like Evan Press, the club mentioned that they are currently unable to make transfers as they are out of the transfer window.
Barry Town United, who are currently close to European play-offs, expressed that the timing of Evan Press’ sentencing was irrelevant in the grand scheme of things. The club remains focused on continuing their season and supporting the team through the unforeseen circumstances. Evan Press was sentenced to two years and six months in jail, and his iPhone used for drug dealing will be destroyed. Apart from his time with Barry Town United, Evan only made one senior appearance for Newport County in 2017.
The case of Evan Press serves as a reminder of the complexities that can arise in professional sports beyond the field. Despite the shock and disappointment felt by the football club, Barry Town United remains committed to upholding their values and supporting their team through any challenges they may face. The situation highlights the importance of transparency and accountability in maintaining the integrity of sports organisations and the individuals within them.