Sheffield United co-chairman Jim Phipps was “angry and upset” yesterday after the club were forced to withdraw their offer to allow convicted rapist Ched Evans to train with the Blades.

The Professional Footballers’ Association contacted the club last week and asked them if they would allow the Welsh striker to regain his fitness using their facilities.

But with the number of club patrons stepping down, Jessica Ennis-Hill releasing a statement warning Sheffield United that she would want her name removed from the stand at Bramall Lane as well as the public’s reaction led to the League One side retracting their offer late on Thursday.

Phipps believes that footballers should be entitled to rehabilitation like other offenders. He said: “I’m angry that we are not able to get a chance to do for this footballer what should be done.

“I’m upset that we are not able to do what we wanted to do, but I acknowledge that my view is not the only view.

“My principles and the board’s principles are not the only thing that matter.”

The PFA released a statement earlier on in the day saying that they were hopeful another club would give Evans a second chance.

Evans was released last month after serving half of a five-year sentence for the rape of a 19-year-old in 2011.

The PFA said: “We fully understand and respect the opposing views to Ched’s return to Sheffield United and clearly part of the issue related to him returning to the club he was previously with at the time of his imprisonment.

“We maintain our general position that the courts determine punishments and a return to society and a contribution to the community through employment is a key element of rehabilitation.

“We do not agree that society should impose different rules for footballers which go beyond the position of the law. In that regard, it is hoped that Ched will be given an opportunity at another club to return to the job he is trained to do.”