The saga surrounding beleaguered Truro City took a new and potentially divisive twist over the weekend after the club announced the controversial signing of ex-Plymouth Argyle goalkeeper Luke McCormick on a non-contract basis.

McCormick, 29, was jailed for seven years and four months in October 2008 after pleading guilty to causing death by dangerous driving and for driving with excess alcohol following a collision between his Range Rover and another car on a stretch of the M6 in Staffordshire.

Arron Peak, ten, and his brother Ben, eight, were killed in the accident. Their father Philip Peak, who was driving the car, suffered severe spinal injuries leaving him wheelchair-bound.

The family were on their way to Silverstone racetrack from their home in Partington, Manchester, when McCormick ploughed into their Toyota Previa people carrier, forcing it off the road and down an embankment.

McCormick was returning home from a friend’s wedding in the early hours of the morning and was twice the drink-drive limit when the accident took place.

He was released in June after serving three-and-a half-years of his sentence.

Kate Breese, of Leeds-based insolvency practitioners Walsh Taylor, who has been running Truro City since it entered administration in August, released a statement explaining the club’s decision to offer McCormick a way back into football.

In the statement she said: “The club is at its bare bones and it has been essential to recruit a goalkeeper. With Luke prepared to play for free. combined with the club’s current financial situation. then this signing has been a matter of necessity.

“Certain people may have concerns over Luke’s past but his past is precisely that. Luke has served the time deemed appropriate by the judicial system and that chapter is now closed. Luke has been extremely remorseful over the cause of his jail term. The sentence has been served and there is no benefit to anyone in not allowing him to play the sport that he loves.

“I hope that the fans of Truro City understand this decision and equally give Luke the warmest possible welcome. He is now an important member of our squad and will play a crucial part in the club’s fight for survival. Truro City FC is now looking forward after a period of severe uncertainty, the club having been on its knees. We are not in a position to turn down offers of assistance and look forward to Luke playing an important role for the club.”

Truro businessmen Pete Masters and Steve Perryman, who hope to complete a deal to buy the club this week, released their own statement clarifying their stance on McCormick’s recruitment.

They said: “We were made aware of Luke’s engagement late on Friday, and that he would possibly be playing in the FA Trophy match at Farnborough on Saturday due to the injury of the club’s usual goalkeeper. We are advised that the engagement will remain in place to the end of the season. Therefore, on completion of the sale, Luke will be Truro City Football Club’s responsibility as a player. We would emphasise that we had no control over that decision.

“Lee Hodges is and will remain the manager of the Truro City Football Club and any future decisions on Luke will be made in conjunction with Lee and the board of directors at that time.

“We would ask everyone to reserve judgement at this stage until we are in a better place to act in the best interest of the football club.”