Raith Rovers Defend Decision To Sign David Goodwillie Despite Women's Captain Quitting

Raith Rovers have defended their decision to sign David Goodwillie, despite outrage from fans, sponsors and even their women's team captain quitting.

Scottish Championship side Rovers signed the striker from Clyde on Monday, after he'd scored 11 times in 20 games for the League One team this season.

His achievements on the pitch did not interest many though, who were more concerned at the player's off field actions, having been named as a rapist by a court ruling in a civil case in 2017.

The club's decision to sign Goodwillie has seen them lose sponsor, and longtime fan, Val McDermid, whilst the captain of their women's team Tyler Rattray decided to quit the team.

However Rovers have decided to put out a statement defending the decision to sign the 32-year-old because of 'football reasons.'

"As announced on our website last night, Raith Rovers FC can confirm that we have signed David Goodwillie from Clyde FC," the statement read.

"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.

CLUB STATEMENT | The club have released the following statement on our official website:https://t.co/zai5NvF7uf pic.twitter.com/Y0UjK6O55N

— RRFC Official (@RaithRovers) February 1, 2022

"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 statement understandably didn't go down well with fans of the club, or football fans in general, as the club completely ignored the issues at hand.

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

Goodwillie was in attendance on Tuesday night, as Rovers drew 3-3 with Queen of the South, with fans booing the manager and the team as they appeared from the tunnel ahead of the game.