Raith Rovers stand by decision to sign rapist David Goodwillie after huge backlash from club and fans
RAITH ROVERS have defended their decision to sign rapist David Goodwillie.
The Kirkcaldy club have received backlash throughout the day for the deadline day transfer from Clyde.
Raith Rovers signed Goodwillie, 32, despite a court ruling in a civil case in 2017 that found he and now-retired player David Robertson had raped a woman.
The captain of Raith Rovers’ women’s team has joined the club’s supporter liaison officer in quitting the Scottish Championship club after the signing was confirmed.
Skipper Tyler Rattray, who had been with the Kirkcaldy club for 10 years, announced her decision on Tuesday.
Margie Roberston, the club’s supporter liaison officer, has also walked out over the controversial transfer.
Now Raith Rovers have insisted that the transfer was purely a ‘football decision’.
The lengthy club statement read: “As announced on our website last night, Raith Rovers FC can confirm that we have signed David Goodwillie from Clyde FC.
“David is a proven goal scorer, and this will be his second stint with the club, having previously played for us on loan from Dundee United during season 2007-08.
“As with all new signings, the club has carefully considered our position as a Community Club and we completely respect the differing views among fans and stakeholders, many of whom we have spoken to directly in the past 24 hours and are continuing to engage with.
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“As David has previously played for Raith Rovers earlier in his career, we consider him to be part of the Raith Rovers Football Club.
“The management team is familiar with David’s career and background and – in particular – his footballing ability. That is our foremost consideration, and we believe that he will strengthen the Raith Rovers playing squad.
“Please be assured that as a community football club we fully acknowledge this signing has divided opinion amongst our loyal fans and commercial stakeholders; we aim to rebuild that trust.
“While acknowledging the gravity of what happened ten years ago, as a club we fully support and encourage rehabilitation, and many factors influenced our signing. But first and foremost, this was a football related decision.”
The disgraced footballer watched on from the stands at Stark’s Park last night as his new club drew 3-3 with Queen of the South.
Fans booed manager John McGlynn when the teams emerged from the tunnel at kick off, with Goodwillie taking a place in the stand.
Goodwillie, who was unable to play due to a hamstring injury, looked glum as he sat next to other Rovers stars with his hood up.
Two club directors have stood down yesterday while stadium announcer Johnny MacDonald and Marie Penman, who was employability project delivery officer with the club’s community foundation, have also departed their roles.
Best-selling writer Val McDermid, who has a stand named after her at Stark’s Park and sponsors the team’s strips, has furiously withdrawn her sponsorship of the Championship club.
It is understood some disgusted supporters have ripped up their season tickets amid the backlash.
A civil case ruled in 2017 that Goodwillie and former Dundee United team-mate David Robertson raped Denise Clair after a drunken night out in Bathgate, West Lothian, in 2011.
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