Jailed Akins named on Mansfield squad list

Jailed footballer Lucas Akins has been included in Mansfield Town’s squad list this season and will be free to restart his career when released.

The 36-year-old began a 14-month prison sentence in April after pleading guilty to causing the death of a cyclist by careless or inconsiderate driving in March 2022.

He is understood to be available for release after serving half that sentence, with the remaining seven months to be served on license.

It means Akins could play for the League One side before Christmas.

In May, when Mansfield confirmed its retained list, the club stated that it was “continuing to consider it’s position” regarding the striker, whose deal at the club was thought to have expired at the end of last season.

The squad lists, as published on the English Football League website, are confirmation of which players clubs have under contract, registered and available for the season.

Akins was a Mansfield player when the fatal crash happened more than three years ago.

Adrian Daniel, 33, died 10 days after he was struck by a Mercedes G350 being driven by Akins near Huddersfield.

Amid the trial that followed, Akins continued to play for the Stags until he was jailed and started a League One match hours after pleading guilty at Leeds Crown Court on 4 March.

Following Akins’ sentencing, Stags boss Nigel Clough said the jail term came as an “unbelievable shock” to the club.