Marlon King, who has 14 convictions, (the last being an 18-month sentence for the sexually assault and ABH of a 20 year-old woman (broken nose)) has stunned Coventry by plumping for Birmingham and reneging on a verbal contract.

Coventry said "To hear that he has now changed his mind and gone back on what had been agreed is very hard to take."

Well, i'm all for giving people a second-chance, but this "man" is a serial offender, repeatedly assaulting women. He is a low-life, and if you fight with a pig you both get dirty...Coventry should never have signed him, and Birmingham are now my ex-English team.

If ICT had made a move for Marlon King or say, if Luke McCormick, the former Plymouth goalie who, while drink-driving, killed two boys, was available, would people here be ok with their signing or completely opposed?

That's a very interesting question indeed. We all have our opinions on offenders and giving folk a 'second chance' but when it comes to someone who has caused ABH or death then, personally, I find it hard to agree. It would appear that footballers can have a second chance of employment even with a criminal record. I doubt you'd get that in many other jobs out there. Take Lee Hughes for example, his drunk driving caused the death of an elderly chap (crash happened only a few miles from where I live) and his family have never really come to terms with their loss and have to read about Hughes playing football and earning a good wage. Yes, he did his time and all that but it must still hurt the victims families etc. At the end of the day these offenders know exactly what they are doing and are (allegedly) intelligent enough to know right from wrong, so, if they over step the mark they should accept what comes to them even if it means bringing their career to an end.

St Johnstone signed Jordan Robertson after he just got out from the clink, he killed someone while behind the wheel i think.

In the case of bringing in a player with a serious conviction i would be skeptical but i wouldn't be totally against it. Once people have done their time for a serious crime they still have yo find a job and work when they get out and footballers are no different. Yes it would be difficult for the victims to see it but these guys don't lose their talent. Football clubs choose if they employ players with such an issue. If they have shown the capability to learn from their mistakes then they would have my support.

I would certainly draw the line at Marlon King though, i watched an interview with him after he was released from prison last year and he showed no remoarse for what he did. He dosen't want to learn from his mistakes. He should not be in football with the record that he has and to be perfectly honest i wouldn't be suprised if he ended up back in prison again. Talented player but just a bad person.

Yep, it's the serial offender thing that gets me. I wouldn't support a lout like King no matter what.

We used to employ a convicted wife beater, and the only discontent from our fans was regarding his (lack of) footballing ability.

Fans judge players on the pitch.

The personal life of MK:

While on loan to Hull City, King was alleged to have headbutted teammate Dean Windass in a casino in Scarborough. Hull City stated that the matter had been dealt with internally, and both players remained with the club. Windass later described the incident as a "storm in a teacup".

King has convictions for 14 offences, dating from 1997.^[ He received fines, driving bans, community service sentences, a rehabilitation order and orders to pay compensation on convictions including: theft from a person and from a car, criminal damage, and attempting to obtain property by deception; fraudulent use of vehicle licence document, driving without insurance, speeding, drink driving; a wounding incident while playing amateur football, and two cases involving assault of young women rejecting his advances in the Soho area of London.

Two cases have led to imprisonment. In May 2002 he received an eighteen-month prison sentence for receiving stolen goods, in relation to a BMW convertible that he was found driving. He was found not guilty of a charge of assaulting a police officer in a related case. His solicitor commented that "His reputation will be tarnished forever, whatever success he achieves, he'll always be referred to in a Tyson-esque way as someone who has had a criminal past and that is a considerable penalty." Gillingham continued to pay his salary while he was in jail, and supported in his appeal, which resulted in the sentence being reduced to nine months, and he was released on licence after five months, returning to the Gillingham team within two days of his release.

In December 2008, again in the Soho area, King was arrested on suspicion of punching a 20 year-old female university student in the face, causing a broken nose and split lip for which she was treated in hospital. He was later convicted of sexual assault and assault occasioning actual bodily harm, and sentenced to 18 months in prison and placed on the sex offender register for seven years. Wigan Athletic immediately initiated the cancellation of his contract. King?s agent, Tony Finnigan, said he was confident that his client would find a club on his release, which was on 29 July 2010, and accused the Professional Footballers' Association (PFA) of failing to offer support. Gordon Taylor, the chief executive of the PFA, said that the PFA did not represent players when they have broken the law and been convicted on non-footballing matters. It would support members with anger management or other issues if approached but no approach had been made by King. After his release, he made an appeal against the conviction which was unsuccessful.

In my opinion not someone who should be in the public eye.

Which begs the question, why would Birmingham, specifically Alex McLeish, be comfortable signing such a player? Coventry, being more desperate (no offence intented to any sky blues), I can see (but not ok) why, but Birmingham, with the massive parachute payment and Hong Kong businessman backer, signing a serial offender, a violent thug, a sex offender, is it really the calibre they're after, the role model for their young fans, the name they want to sell shirts?

Madness. Athletes get banned for taking Vicks vaposyrup - but in footie, a violent sex offender gets to pick and choose his contracts. Anyway, Alex McLeish, and Brum, are confined to the "septic" section of my likes/dislikes.

I would say, Mcleish has signed him on footballing merits, and he's possibly available for decent wages as not that many clubs would want him. I think it will be difficult for his new team mates, as they have to speak to him everyday now, and come christmas party time, I reckon other players WAGS will be giving him the Wayne Bridge treatment. However, he has served his sentence, so thats that as far as punishment goes. I wouldn't want him here, but I remember a two page story in the Sun about one of our players hitting his then girlfriend, and this guy is a fans favorite and club legend, but a limited footballer. What does that say about us?

I would say, Mcleish has signed him on footballing merits, and he's possibly available for decent wages as not that many clubs would want him. I think it will be difficult for his new team mates, as they have to speak to him everyday now, and come christmas party time, I reckon other players WAGS will be giving him the Wayne Bridge treatment. However, he has served his sentence, so thats that as far as punishment goes. I wouldn't want him here, but I remember a two page story in the Sun about one of our players hitting his then girlfriend, and this guy is a fans favorite and club legend, but a limited footballer. What does that say about us?

I beg to differ on that one. Part of his sentence was seven years on SO register. A term he is still serving.

EVERYONE deserves a second Chance. Difference in these examples is tho...Marlon King is obviously a serial offender, who shows no thought for other, so, in my opinion, he is scum. The Plymouth goalie made a gross misjudgement, and will live with the consequences for the rest of his life. And im sure he would do anything to undo the pain he has caused. Doubt Mr King would. I too saw the Sky Sports interview with him after he got out of the clink...and i thought...wat a complete **** (thats putting it mildly)

I wonder if the signing of Marlon King was done against the wishes of McLeish and this is why he has resigned? It appears McLeish informed the club of his resignation by email whilst abroad on holiday. Neither the club nor McLeish have released any reasons for his resignation but if this is the reason, the man would rise hugely in my estimation.

I wonder if the signing of Marlon King was done against the wishes of McLeish and this is why he has resigned? It appears McLeish informed the club of his resignation by email whilst abroad on holiday. Neither the club nor McLeish have released any reasons for his resignation but if this is the reason, the man would rise hugely in my estimation.

And mine, however Mr. Pannu the Chairman, said the club had signed 4 players identified by McLeish and that it was annoying he'd done that then left so... Add the fact that McLeish hasn't said anything, as he is *probably* wangling his way to Villa for free. Anyway, a sorry affair, and I wish none of them any success.

Norwich have replaced Birmingham as my English team, just so you know!

Birmingham City were my childhood team until the mid to late 80's and I've have always had a soft spot for the Blues ever since. I think this has now died completely after these shocking goings on. A close friend of mine has been a Blues season ticket holder for a number of seasons...he has not renewed it for this season. There is a feeling of anger in the ranks of the Blues supporters and also those of Villa at the thought of McLeish crossing the city.