Interesting views here, well expressed.
Giving him a footballing contract however irrelevant it may be to the first-team squad just doesn't sit well with me, though I admire the club once again for not only showing, but proving its decency and concern.
I worry at the impression it gives to academy players and players at all age-groups really. If we are trying to attract the best young talent to the academy and intermediate teams from home and abroad, this sends at best, mixed messages, to young players, and their parents.
Yes, we look after "our own" but we also seemingly tolerate a player who to my knowledge has failed 2 drugs tests and has had opportunities to build a very decent life for himself through football which he has to date squandered.
Drug use leaves a trail of misery and is criminal activity. I'm not at all saying this is an example of a soft attitude from the club but the "one of our own" criteria can be applied very selectively. There are many scenarios in which the club would disassociate itself from an ex-player depending on the seriousness/severity of their behaviour.