Football club stunned to learn captain, 24, has been jailed saying it knew nothing about his arrest or case

A football club were shocked as a key player was JAILED — after only learning of his case on the day of his sentencing.

Barry Town were stunned to discover midfielder Evan Press had been sentenced to two-and-a-half years in prison after pleading guilty to the supply of Class A drug cocaine.

4

4

4

Press had been arrested, charged and pleaded guilty in Newport Crown Court on February 11 without his club's knowledge.

He proceeded to play in Barry Town's next three matches, including a 2-1 win over Aberystwyth Town in the Welsh Cymru Premier League.

But he was absent from this weekend's game against Flint Town after being jailed.

Barry Town revealed they did not have any idea about his arrest or trial until 30 minutes after the judge made their decision.

READ MORE IN FOOTBALL

RON HIS WAY

Cristiano Ronaldo takes 'worst penalty ever' as 'Hojlund gets in his head'

TUCH AND GO

Tuchel axes two stars from England squad but Gibbs-White and Quansah included

Press' offence is understood to have been committed between February 2021 and November 2023 in Cardiff.

He was a Barry Town player throughout that period and even captained the club on occasion, including 19 times this season.

A Barry Town spokesperson re-affirmed the club's commitments to their family values as they denied knowing about the case before the day of sentencing.

A spokesperson told : "Being brutally honest we only heard about this on the day he was sentenced. He had never told us.

Most read in Football

TRANSFER LATEST

Real Madrid 'join Wirtz race', Liam Delap makes HUGE Chelsea decision'

ARSENAL LATEST

Williams house hunting in London, Gyokeres move 'HIJACKED' Sesko updates

UNITED LATEST

Hojlund-Osimhen 'swap' deal, Rashford's camp 'meets with Barcelona',

MEANS TO AN ENZ

Liam Delap makes final decision over next club as he snubs Man Utd transfer

"We were unaware until half an hour after the sentencing on March 19 when we were contacted by a family member.

"Since the sentencing we've heard bits about the case but we don't have all the information. We have been processing the news. It is a real shock.

"Evan is a wonderful young man. He's been part of our club for seven years. He has made a mistake and my understanding is it happened some time ago.

"We are a family club who want our players to be role models. This was news to us."

Press, 24, has played for Barry Town since 2018 and has made 187 appearances for the club, scoring 11 goals.

4