Raith Rovers claim the signing of 'rapist' David Goodwillie is purely a footballing decision.
The Scottish Championship club has seen its women's captain resign, along with their club liaison officer and two directors over the Goodwillie's deadline day arrival from Clyde.
The 32-year old - along with former Dundee United teammate David Robertson - was found to have raped Denise Clare at a flat in January 2011.
A civil court judge ruled that Ms. Claire was entitled to £100,000 agreed damages, saying she had been “incapable of giving meaningful consent” and that Goodwillie and Robertson “each raped her”.
In response to his signing, Raith women's captain Tyler Rattray tweeted, "After 10 long years playing for raith, it’s gutting I have given up now because they have signed someone like this and I want nothing to do with it!"
After 10 long years playing for raith, it’s gutting I have given up now because they have signed someone like this and I want nothing to do with it! It was good being captain of raith while it lasted. https://t.co/5N4hDymGes
— 🌻TylerRattray🌻 (@Tyler_RattrayX) February 1, 2022
Directors Andrew Mill and Bill Clark, supporter liaison officer Margie Robertson, stadium announcer Johnny MacDonald and employability officer Marie Penman also resigned in protest.
Scottish First Minister Nicola Sturgeon said of the resignations, "The fact they’re in this position at all reminds us that our society still has a way to go to make zero tolerance of sexual violence a reality."
In a statement on Tuesday, Raith said Goodwillie's footballing ability was their "foremost consideration", even after speaking with different fans and stakeholders over the past 24-hours.
Rape Crisis Scotland have also condemned Goodwillie's signing, saying, "We are surprised and deeply disappointed that are happy to send such a clear message of disregard to survivors of rape and sexual violence."
Rape Crisis Scotland says Raith Rovers' decision to sign footballer David Goodwillie 'sends entirely the wrong message'. https://t.co/tt2gZ3ls0o pic.twitter.com/JFYsX2r7W7
— STV News (@STVNews) February 1, 2022
Raith Rovers statement:
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.
As David has previously played for Raith Rovers earlier in his career, we consider him to be part of 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.
First and foremost, this was a football related decision.