OXFORD United have been warned they risk a fan boycott after signing controversial goalkeeper Luke McCormick.

The former Plymouth Arglye stopper was sentenced to more than seven years after admitting killing two children while drink-driving in 2008.

Fans voted with their feet at his previous club Truro City and avoided games while McCormick was at the club.

Truro chairman Peter Masters, said the club came under substantial criticism for taking him on and it proved “costly”.

Now fears have been raised that the U’s could suffer a similar fate.

Oxford resident Tony Fallows said he thought his fellow fans would turn away in their droves.

The 25-year-old, who has been attending games since 1996, said: “There is definitely a downbeat feeling around the club at the moment and this could be something which makes fans’ minds up to not come back for a while.”

John Jefferies, from Binsey, added: “I like to think that we, as a club, have always garnered respect from other clubs for trying to do things right, this jeopardises our reputation.”

U’’s supporters trust OxVox said the signing was emotive.

Their statement said: “While it’s fair to say he has served his sentence and has every right to seek employment, we appreciate that fans may have a split view on him signing.”

  • Let us know your views on email sportsdesk@oxfordmail. co.uk or write to Sports Editor, Oxford Mail, Osney Mead, Oxford OX2 0EJ.