Raith Rovers admits it ‘got it wrong’ on David Goodwillie signing

Raith Rovers has dropped David Goodwillie, with the chairman admitting the board had “got it wrong” in signing the footballer who was ruled to be a rapist in a landmark civil court case. 

News of the signing on Monday night sparked furious outrage from fans and even led to the side’s women’s team resigning en masse.

It was condemned by First Nicola Sturgeon and criticised by former Prime Minister Gordon Brown, a committed Rovers fan.

Crime writer Val McDermid, who sponsored the team’s shirts, ended her financial relationship with the club, saying: "The thought of the rapist David Goodwillie running out on the pitch at Starks Park in a @RaithRovers shirt with my name on it makes me feel physically sick."

Another club sponsor, two of the Kirkcaldy club's directors, and around 50 volunteers also resigned in protest. 

In a civil case in 2017, the striker was found to have raped Denise Clair in 2011. She was awarded £100,000 in damages. He denied the allegation and appealed against the judgment, but lost.

Initially, the club doubled down on the decision saying Goodwillie’s “footballing ability” had been their “foremost consideration”. 

“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,” they said. 

But on Thursday morning, they backed down. 

A statement attributed to the club chairman read: "I firstly want to apologise wholeheartedly to our fans, sponsors, players and the wider Raith Rovers community for the anguish and anger caused over the past few days.

"We got it wrong.

"In reaching our original decision, we focused far too much on football matters and not enough on what this decision would mean for our club and the community as a whole.

"Over the past couple of days, we listened carefully to the fans who have got in touch and I’m very grateful for their honesty. As chairman, as a board and as a management team, we have all learned a hard but valuable lesson.

"This very unfortunate episode is something that we all bitterly regret and we are now wholly committed to making things right. I can therefore confirm that, following a meeting of the Raith Rovers board, the player will not be selected by Raith Rovers and we will enter into discussions with the player regarding his contractual position.

"We share a desire to do what is best for our club and will be doing everything in our power to regain the trust and confidence of the Raith Rovers family."

McDermid welcomed the decision but said there were still questions to answer. 

She said: “I welcome this (unsigned) statement from Raith Rovers. It's a victory of sorts for the hundreds of people who make the club who were appalled at the board's original decision and who are not afraid to speak out. 

“But it's just the first step on a long road back. The same people who made this decision are still in charge. Those who love and value the club are still on the outside. They need to be on the inside, shaping the future for the community.”