Mansfield striker Lucas Akins named in squad while serving jail term for fatal crash
Akins, jailed for causing death by careless driving after a 2022 collision that killed a cyclist, remains listed on club and EFL registration documents and could be eligible for release before Christmas
Mansfield Town striker Lucas Akins, who is serving a 14-month prison sentence after pleading guilty to causing death by careless or inconsiderate driving, has been included on his club’s 2025-26 squad list.
The 36-year-old was convicted over a March 2022 collision that left cyclist Adrian Daniel with catastrophic head injuries; Daniel died 10 days later. Akins is thought to be eligible for release after serving half of his sentence, which could see him return to training and match availability before Christmas, according to reports. Mansfield issued a brief statement saying the club "will review Lucas' position as and when he is released from custody and will make no further comment at this time."
Police and court documents say the collision happened when Akins pulled slowly out from Crossland Factory Lane onto Huddersfield Road and into the path of the cyclist, who was travelling the route to and from work daily. Head-cam footage from Adrian Daniel, 33, was shown in court and prosecutors said the cyclist had "no time to brake." At the time of the crash, Akins had his then seven-month-old and seven-year-old children in his Mercedes G350 Station Wagon while taking the eldest to a piano lesson.
Akins pleaded guilty in April 2025. He was sentenced to 14 months in prison and handed a two-year driving disqualification. Under the terms of his sentence he is expected to serve part of the term in custody and the remainder on licence.
Mansfield’s website and the English Football League registration list continue to include Akins among their registered players, despite reports that his contract was due to expire at the end of the 2024-25 season. There is no legal impediment to a professional footballer returning to play after serving a custodial sentence should a club choose to reinstate him.
During the spring trial process Akins continued to appear for Mansfield. He started a match against Wigan Athletic hours after entering an initial guilty plea. The club maintained public support during the proceedings, with manager Nigel Clough providing a reference to the court.
In a victim impact statement read in court, Daniel’s widow, Savannah, criticised the timing of Akins’ guilty plea and described the three years since her husband’s death as a period of "hell." She told the court she did not wish Akins’ family to suffer similar hardship and said, "His wife and children shouldn't have to live the life we have since that day. We do not need any more lives to be destroyed from this."
Akins began his career in the Huddersfield Town youth system, making his debut in 2007. His professional career has included spells at Northwich Victoria, Hamilton Academical, Partick Thistle, Tranmere Rovers, Stevenage, Burton Albion, and Mansfield Town, where he joined in 2022.
Mansfield sit 11th in League One after three wins in seven matches to start the 2025-26 season. The club has said it will consider Akins’s future when he is released from custody and has made no further comment.