United sign controversial keeper Luke McCormick (From Herald Series)
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United sign controversial keeper Luke McCormick
9:30am Friday 1st February 2013 in United News
By David Pritchard, Chief Sports Reporter covering Oxford United. Follow us on twitter: @oxfordmailoufc. Call me on 01865 425458
Luke McCormick was jailed after a car crash
The signing of controversial goalkeeper Luke McCormick was among three deals Oxford United concluded just before the transfer deadline last night.
Justin Richards will also stay until the end of the season, while Tyrone Marsh was loaned out to Staines Town for the rest of the campaign.
Of the three deals, McCormick’s will undoubtedly capture the most attention.
The goalkeeper was sentenced to more than seven years in prison after admitting to killing two children in a car crash in 2008.
McCormick, who was more than twice over the drink-drive limit when it happened, was released last summer after serving three and a half years.
He trained with Swindon Town, but was not offered a contract and instead joined Truro City on non-contract terms in November.
The 29-year-old is in line to start for United at Southend tomorrow, which would be his first appearance in the Football League for almost five years.
United chairman Ian Lenagan said: “The tragic events in Luke’s past will never go away and that is something he will have to bear for the rest of his days. He made the biggest mistake of his life and no amount of apologies will ever change what happened. He served his sentence and knows what he did was wrong.
“As a club we have thought long and hard about whether to employ a player with his background.
“But his clear repentance and the opportunity to allow him to rehabilitate while meeting our unique goalkeeping situation within the salary cap – which we might otherwise not have been able to do – resulted in our decision to sign him.”
United boss Chris Wilder said: “I have spoken to Luke at length and he knows that it will not be easy for him, but he is very humble and wants to try and make the most of the opportunity.”
Richards joined United for a second spell earlier last month as cover for James Constable’s suspension.
The four-week loan was due to expire after this weekend, but the 32-year-old agreed a settlement with parent club Burton Albion yesterday for the remainder of his contract, which was up in the summer.
The striker has now signed a contract with the U’s for the rest of the season.
Wilder said: “I think he’s what’s needed going into the run-in.”
Richards arrival paved the way for Marsh to go out on loan.
The 19-year-old has made five senior appearances this season, scoring his first goal last month against Southend in the Johnstone’s Paint Trophy.
Wilder had intended to loan Marsh out earlier in the season, but injuries to other players prevented a move.
Now he hopes the striker can benefit from playing week-in week-out at the Blue Square Bet South strugglers.
He said: “Ty’s done well in and around the squad, but we need to see him go and play regular games.”
Comments(41)
The Good Ship Hardy
says...
11:09am Fri 1 Feb 13
BigAlBiker wrote:He needs another goalie because he could lose Crocombe with injury and world cup duties this month too. However this keeper is not for me...Funny how all those fans who slagged ST off when he trained with them in the summer, have now of course gone quiet..A week Saturday will be interesting to say the least
What is this club coming to, now i KNOW its time for Wilder to leave, Letting Tyrone Marsh out on loan and not keeping faith with MaxCrocombe has proved he has lost his marbles.
Time to go for definate.
GRB
says...
11:09am Fri 1 Feb 13
BigAlBiker wrote:How do you know he's not keeping faith with Crocombe?
What is this club coming to, now i KNOW its time for Wilder to leave, Letting Tyrone Marsh out on loan and not keeping faith with MaxCrocombe has proved he has lost his marbles.
Time to go for definate.
BigAlBiker
says...
11:28am Fri 1 Feb 13
GRB wrote:If he was keeping faith with Crocombe why sign another keeper? Brown on the bench makes sense.
BigAlBiker wrote:How do you know he's not keeping faith with Crocombe?
What is this club coming to, now i KNOW its time for Wilder to leave, Letting Tyrone Marsh out on loan and not keeping faith with MaxCrocombe has proved he has lost his marbles.
Time to go for definate.
Have a word.
OxfordResident
says...
12:09pm Fri 1 Feb 13
BigAlBiker wrote:Because Max may well be away on international duty soon...
GRB wrote:If he was keeping faith with Crocombe why sign another keeper? Brown on the bench makes sense.
BigAlBiker wrote:How do you know he's not keeping faith with Crocombe?
What is this club coming to, now i KNOW its time for Wilder to leave, Letting Tyrone Marsh out on loan and not keeping faith with MaxCrocombe has proved he has lost his marbles.
Time to go for definate.
Have a word.
AylesburyOx
says...
12:16pm Fri 1 Feb 13
I will not be attending matches if this man is named in the squad.
Shocking management decision and shows the complete lack of regard for the fans of OUFC.
Also great to see us dropping our young and confident keeper and shipping out a talented striker - real progress Mr Wilder
OUFC1983
says...
12:42pm Fri 1 Feb 13
Max will be a good goalie but we need back up if he goes on international duty, as Brown is not good enough for the rest of the season.
Richards is an awful signing though, and I think I'm now resigned to admitting we will not be featuring in the play offs this season.
AylesburyOx
says...
1:18pm Fri 1 Feb 13
OUFC1983 wrote:There's no similarity between Chapman and McCormick - Adam Chapman made a very bad but naive decision, while McCormick knowingly got into and drove a vehicle while twice over the drink drive limit.
I agree that this is a controversial signing, but we need to remember that we stood by Adam Chapman and gave him a standing ovation at Wembley before he went to prison for similar crimes. Max will be a good goalie but we need back up if he goes on international duty, as Brown is not good enough for the rest of the season. Richards is an awful signing though, and I think I'm now resigned to admitting we will not be featuring in the play offs this season.
I agree about Richards and the rest of your expecations though; not a happy Friday for Oxford United.
Kennys hat
says...
1:31pm Fri 1 Feb 13
I you found out your local supermarket had people working there with "spent" convictions would you stop shopping there?
OxfordResident
says...
1:32pm Fri 1 Feb 13
AylesburyOx wrote:They both caused death by reckless behavior in a car.
OUFC1983 wrote:There's no similarity between Chapman and McCormick - Adam Chapman made a very bad but naive decision, while McCormick knowingly got into and drove a vehicle while twice over the drink drive limit.
I agree that this is a controversial signing, but we need to remember that we stood by Adam Chapman and gave him a standing ovation at Wembley before he went to prison for similar crimes. Max will be a good goalie but we need back up if he goes on international duty, as Brown is not good enough for the rest of the season. Richards is an awful signing though, and I think I'm now resigned to admitting we will not be featuring in the play offs this season.
I agree about Richards and the rest of your expecations though; not a happy Friday for Oxford United.
Not defending or slamming either. Both have served the punishment deemed suitable in law, both are remorseful.
AylesburyOx
says...
1:41pm Fri 1 Feb 13
OxfordResident wrote:Chapman wasn't twice over the drink driving limit. That simple.
AylesburyOx wrote:They both caused death by reckless behavior in a car. Not defending or slamming either. Both have served the punishment deemed suitable in law, both are remorseful.OUFC1983 wrote: I agree that this is a controversial signing, but we need to remember that we stood by Adam Chapman and gave him a standing ovation at Wembley before he went to prison for similar crimes. Max will be a good goalie but we need back up if he goes on international duty, as Brown is not good enough for the rest of the season. Richards is an awful signing though, and I think I'm now resigned to admitting we will not be featuring in the play offs this season.There's no similarity between Chapman and McCormick - Adam Chapman made a very bad but naive decision, while McCormick knowingly got into and drove a vehicle while twice over the drink drive limit. I agree about Richards and the rest of your expecations though; not a happy Friday for Oxford United.
McCormick may be remorseful but I don't want him at the club and am sure there will be a significant percentage of Oxford fans who like myself will vote with their feet and choose to stay away from the club.
Oxon21
says...
2:06pm Fri 1 Feb 13
I'm not saying what he did can be forgotten or brushed under the carpet, as it can't, and yes this guy will have to live with that for the rest of his days.
Do I wish OUFC had not signed him? Yes. But we have and lets just go with it. Boycotting games will not help the club that we support.
Lets just trust in those that manage the club, that this was the right decision to make, and lets support our team to promotion.
Brenda Jackson
says...
2:20pm Fri 1 Feb 13
Footballers who are in the Public domain
and who are held up as role models- have huge responsibility to behave and act correctly, a crime of this magnitude cannot merely be forgotten by saying 'he's served his time' and one i heard on the radio was shockingly insensitive ''Life goes on.'' Not for them two children it doesn't.
An abysmal decision by a so called 'family Club.'
OUFC1983
says...
2:40pm Fri 1 Feb 13
We have to stick behind the club as our accounts showed our average attendance this season is down drastically. It's only the club that suffers because of this.
cecantena1
says...
3:23pm Fri 1 Feb 13
Oxon21 wrote:Well said sir!
Let's just take a step back for a moment. If you had been convicted of a crime, and served a punishment set , would you not want to be integrated back into society?
I'm not saying what he did can be forgotten or brushed under the carpet, as it can't, and yes this guy will have to live with that for the rest of his days.
Do I wish OUFC had not signed him? Yes. But we have and lets just go with it. Boycotting games will not help the club that we support.
Lets just trust in those that manage the club, that this was the right decision to make, and lets support our team to promotion.
wheatley_jake
says...
4:02pm Fri 1 Feb 13
AR Davis
says...
4:11pm Fri 1 Feb 13
Mr Davis, Portsmouth.
winger whitley
says...
4:47pm Fri 1 Feb 13
bobheironimus
says...
5:00pm Fri 1 Feb 13
faatmaan
says...
5:33pm Fri 1 Feb 13
KojaktheWarg
says...
6:06pm Fri 1 Feb 13
faatmaan wrote:Yes, a shame they dont retain history on this site to see who the previously-outraged are. I have been wondering where all the "Outraged of Headington" types have gone since the period when Swindon were letting him train with them (and that was just training, not signing).
boy this board was loaded against Swindon during his tenure then, is this desperation or hypocracy.
Well personally, I think its a tricky one. If you serve your time and are remorseful should you lose your trade just because its in the public eye? If that's the case it should be for everyone and not just this young man.
Chish and Fips
says...
6:35pm Fri 1 Feb 13
Chish and Fips
says...
6:38pm Fri 1 Feb 13
bobheironimus wrote:Bit too much baggage to overlook ..... perhaps you could share your views with the family of the deceased children.
If you really were oxford fans you shouldn't care about his past, I certainly don't as he did his time. He is a championship standard goalkeeper So you should be grateful for getting him!!!
Beau champ mummy
says...
6:54pm Fri 1 Feb 13
Sid Hunt
says...
7:03pm Fri 1 Feb 13
pop up pirate
says...
7:37pm Fri 1 Feb 13
I expect some people on here have texted while driving & have known people who have had a drink & drove where nothing happened except that they got to where they intended to without any incident & they said nothing at the time. If only someone had said something to these two, who knows what would have happened to their lives & their families.
I don’t judge people just hope that they get on & deal with their lives as best as they can because it will always be with them. That is probably the heaviest cross anybody could carry.
Director General
says...
8:20pm Fri 1 Feb 13
devonexile
says...
9:03pm Fri 1 Feb 13
oxjim
says...
9:42pm Fri 1 Feb 13
devonexile wrote:My Timmy would be 16 now!, I will not let the my memory of my son be spoilt by watching oxford ever again. Everybody is entitled to an opinion right or wrong!.
Some of the negative comments are from people who have committed the same offences, but by the grace of god did not end with the same sad ending. Typical Lynch Mob mentality, he has according to the law of this land served his time, although I suspect his life will always be filled with guilt, those who claim they will not go to games if this young man plays are not OU fans. I for one wish him well whilst at Oxford. The family whose lives were destroyed that fateful day I hope find peace of mind in the future. Those of you with lead in your boots and booze in your bellies and a mobile in your hand whilst driving take note of the misery your actions can cause for many, every day similar events are taking place in this increasingly violent and unforgiving society.
wend
says...
10:48pm Fri 1 Feb 13
CamView
says...
11:03pm Fri 1 Feb 13
There a plenty keepers boh in the leaue and in non league
that could give us good cover wthuout signing this guy. It shows very poor Management judgement.
This at a time whe the crowds are dropping off dratically.ande ned a new sponsor.
train passenger
says...
11:42pm Fri 1 Feb 13
wend
says...
12:47am Sat 2 Feb 13
WindsorYellow
says...
11:02am Sat 2 Feb 13
In_The_Nikon_Time
says...
11:11am Sat 2 Feb 13
CamView wrote:Anyone can make a mistake, driving while 2 times over the limit is not a mistake. What do the club sponsors think of having this man representing their brand? Driving while under the influence is never an accident, we all have a choice and this man chose to drink and drive, be it stupidity or arrogance, it matters not, the outcome is the same.
Sa what you what you will - this is a PR disaster.
There a plenty keepers boh in the leaue and in non league
that could give us good cover wthuout signing this guy. It shows very poor Management judgement.
This at a time whe the crowds are dropping off dratically.ande ned a new sponsor.
Would the owner or manager have the same compassion if members of their family were the victims? I think not.
On a lighter note, I read with interest this morning that Di Canio is not a happy bunny and is undecided on his future hopefully this news will keep the Swindon fans too busy on their own site to come on here spouting their usual wind up drivel. Of course Di Canio could always replace Wilder, that would really give them something to whine over ;-)
Manor Born
says...
11:56am Sat 2 Feb 13
Would have been far better to keep Marsh who would gain far more experience being in the first team squad than shipping him off to Staines to play the likes of Truro & Bishop Stortford.
Merekat1
says...
1:28pm Sat 2 Feb 13
You are well and truly out of your depth when it comes to just about everything concerning our club.
Truly ashamed.
BenkiuGuasu
says...
4:11pm Sat 2 Feb 13
WindsorYellow wrote:That doesn't mean anything. Of more significance is the fact that he has played in the championship, and only left the championship for non-footballing reasons. Truro City being bottom means our new goalie has had lots of practise! Good luck mate, LET'S PUSH UP THE LEAGUE!!! yEAHHH....
On another note has anyone seen where Truro city are in the league!!!! Thats right bottom with 9 points!!! Now if that's the sort of players we go after . wilder needs to go!!! As for off the field what if it was one of your kid's?!?!? HE'S NOT WANTED!!!!
As for Tyrone, he ain't ready yet... Crocombe? Needs to go out on loan first... Richards? Hhmmmm..... Think the state of the pitch may have something to do with this.... A target man for a cut up pitch. Wilder nose best. He has the best knows.
sablond oxford
says...
1:25pm Tue 5 Feb 13
Chish and Fips wrote:I agree with you Chish and Fips also he hasn't shown any remorse for his actions, why should he be given a second chance when the children weren't and he has given their family a life sentence.
bobheironimus wrote:Bit too much baggage to overlook ..... perhaps you could share your views with the family of the deceased children.
If you really were oxford fans you shouldn't care about his past, I certainly don't as he did his time. He is a championship standard goalkeeper So you should be grateful for getting him!!!
sablond oxford
says...
1:29pm Tue 5 Feb 13
Brenda Jackson wrote:totally agree.
Remorseful or not LM committed a terrible crime that took away the lives of two young children-and left their father in a wheelchair. No doubt it has also devasted the remaining family who will be living a nightmare for the rest of their lives.
Footballers who are in the Public domain
and who are held up as role models- have huge responsibility to behave and act correctly, a crime of this magnitude cannot merely be forgotten by saying 'he's served his time' and one i heard on the radio was shockingly insensitive ''Life goes on.'' Not for them two children it doesn't.
An abysmal decision by a so called 'family Club.'
I don't think OU thought this through, Instead of a boycott i think everyone should boo when he walks on the pitch.
Grunden Skip
says...
2:18pm Thu 7 Feb 13
sablond oxford wrote:Don't you read the story and not just headlines blondie, he has shown remorse, he put his hands up and did his time. Let the guy get on with his life, or do you want the death penalty brought back, the way you are talking that is the only thing that will please you.
Chish and Fips wrote:I agree with you Chish and Fips also he hasn't shown any remorse for his actions, why should he be given a second chance when the children weren't and he has given their family a life sentence.
bobheironimus wrote:Bit too much baggage to overlook ..... perhaps you could share your views with the family of the deceased children.
If you really were oxford fans you shouldn't care about his past, I certainly don't as he did his time. He is a championship standard goalkeeper So you should be grateful for getting him!!!
BigAlBiker says...
10:00am Fri 1 Feb 13
Time to go for definate.