Raith Rovers Apologise For Signing David Goodwillie And Announce He Will Not Play Following Backlash

Raith Rovers have apologised for signing David Goodwillie and say the player will not represent the club.

The decision to sign Goodwillie, who was named as a rapist by a court ruling in a 2017 civil case, was met with monumental backlash.

The captain of the club's women's side Tyler Rattray announced she would be leaving, while there was also talk of the team looking to change their name and remove the club crest in response.

They also lost a shirt sponsor after longtime supporter and author Val McDermid distanced herself from the club.

Rovers had initially defended the signing of Goodwillie, saying the transfer was for "football reasons" and describing the player as "a proven goalscorer".

David Goodwillie watched on from the stand at Stark's Park as his new club Raith Rovers drew 3-3 with Queen of the South in the Championship on Tuesday night.https://t.co/GF5Mw2haBJ

📷 Courtesy of Euan Cherry/SNS Group. pic.twitter.com/jlsHuDsBM8

— STV Sport (@STVSport) February 1, 2022

But in a second statement from the chairman, they have now announced Goodwillie will not be playing for the club.

Rovers will now enter discussions with the former Blackburn striker regarding his contractual position.

CLUB STATEMENT | Raith Rovers have released the following statement regarding David Goodwillie, to confirm that the player will not represent the club.

Discussions are underway with the player regarding his contractual position:https://t.co/JD5HW4Q30c pic.twitter.com/efOc51Bc9p

— RRFC Official (@RaithRovers) February 3, 2022

BREAK: David Goodwillie on his way out of Raith Rovers. @skynews Club statement: pic.twitter.com/SnE2317MtL

— James Matthews (@jamesmatthewsky) February 3, 2022

The statement 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.

"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."

An appeal in 2017 upheld the decision of the civil court case for Goodwillie and former Dundee United player David Robertson.

Goodwillie was ordered to pay the victim £100,000 but there was no criminal trial as the Scottish legal authorities said there was not enough evidence.

The Scottish Championship side signed Goodwillie from Clyde on Monday after he scored 11 times in 20 games in League One this season.

He had a brief spell on loan at the club at the start of his career in the 2007/08 campaign.