David Goodwillie: Raith Rovers say he won’t be selected for team as chairman apologises after backlash

Club chairman John Sim said “we got it wrong” over the signing of David Goodwillie, who a civil court ruled to have raped a woman.
The chairman of Raith Rovers has apologised to fans over the signing of David Goodwillie.(Picture: Jeff Holmes/PA Wire)The chairman of Raith Rovers has apologised to fans over the signing of David Goodwillie.(Picture: Jeff Holmes/PA Wire)
The chairman of Raith Rovers has apologised to fans over the signing of David Goodwillie.(Picture: Jeff Holmes/PA Wire)

David Goodwillie will not be selected to play by his new club Raith Rovers - and the club’s chairman has also apologised “wholeheartedly” to fans.

His signing to the club prompted furious backlash from fans as in 2017 Goodwillie had been found by a judge in a civil case in Scotland to have raped a woman.

At a glance 5 key points

  • Raith Rovers had announced the signing of David Goodwillie earlier this week
  • The decision prompted widespread anger
  • Goodwillie was found by a judge in a civil case to have raped a woman
  • Crime writer Val McDermid ended her sponsorship and support over the club
  • On Thursday club chairman John Sim “wholeheartedly” apologised to fans

What did the club say about David Goodwillie?

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Earlier this week the club said the signing was “first and foremost a football-related decision”.

In a statement the club’s chairman, John Sim said: “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.

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“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.”

What has the reaction been to the statement?

Rape Crisis Scotland, a group which campaigns to end sexual violence, said those who stood against Raith Rovers’ signing of David Goodwillie “should be proud” the player has been dropped.

The organisation had previously said the Kirkcaldy-based club’s decision to select the striker was a “clear message of disregard to survivors of rape”.

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In a response to the club’s announcement that they have dropped Goodwillie, the organisation said: “There are no doubt unanswered questions and concerns here but fans, Val McDermid and the Scottish public should be proud that they made this decision by Raith Rovers FC untenable.”

Former prime minister and lifelong Raith Rovers supporter Gordon Brown welcomed the move by the football club, saying: “This is the right decision.

“Now, as I said on Monday, football authorities, given the recent examples, need to consider how we deal with cases of footballers where there has been rape and violence against women.”

Val McDermid, whose name is on Raith Rovers’ shirts and one of their stands, said the club’s U-turn was a “victory of sorts”.

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In a statement posted on Twitter, 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 were not afraid to speak out.

“But it’s just the first step on a long road back. The same people who made the 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.”

This article will continue to be updated

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