Hartlepool manager Ronnie Moore has expressed his interest in signing convicted rapist Ched Evans.
Mr Moore, who took over as boss of the bottom club in the Football League this week, said the controversial move was "a possibility".
"If it could happen, I would want it to happen," he said.
Ched Evans had an offer to train at his former club, Sheffield United, retracted last month following an outcry over what many considered a step towards his return to professional football.
However the Professional Footballers' Association has declared that the former Welsh international should be given the opportunity to play with another club.
The 25-year-old was released from prison in October after serving half of a five-year jail sentence for rape.
Shortly afterwards he released a video statement appealing for "a second chance" in football, but was fiercely criticised over his failure to apologise to his victim.
He maintains his innocence and an appeal process is currently underway.
Speaking after today's 1-1 draw against Oxford, Mr Moore told reporters: "He is a proven scorer; he's served his time and the boy wants to play football.
"If there is a chance he might come here, I don't see any reason why he shouldn't.
"He has made a mistake and maybe he hasn't apologised in the right way - and I know he has an appeal case pending - but if he gets on the park, he would go a long way to getting us out of trouble.
The announcement was immediately criticised by Hartlepool Labour MP and football fan Iain Wright.
"There's a reason why no other team in the Football League wants to sign him - he is a pariah," he said.
"I was at the match today. There were lots of young lads there supporting Hartlepool United.
"I just think it sends out such a wrong message to young men in terms of it being OK for a rapist to play football."
He said: "I think it says to women fans of the club (that) this is what we think about women".
Sarah Green, a spokeswoman for the campaign group End Violence Against Women Coalition, said: "Ched Evans is an unrepentant convicted rapist.
"Any club who sign him need to think hard about the message they are sending to their fans, to the local community and to all football supporters in allowing him to rejoin the beautiful game."
Sheffield United's decision to allow Ched Evans to train with his former club prompted patrons Paul Heaton, Dave Berry, Lindsay Graham and Charlie Webster to step down.
Olympic gold medallist Jessica Ennis-Hill also asked that her name be removed from one of the stands at the club's Bramall Lane ground if Evans was re-signed.
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