An East Lothian football club is facing fan backlash after they said they will support the reformation of a player who abusively stalked his ex-girlfriend.
Tranent player Jordon Forster, 29, pleaded guilty to an amended domestic abuse charge at Edinburgh Sheriff Court on Tuesday after admitting to a campaign of aggressive behaviour to his former partner over several months.
The former Hibs defender also admitted to repeatedly showing up at the woman’s place of work, accessing her phone without permission, pushing her on the body and swearing and shouting at her.
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Despite saying that they “deplore” any form of domestic abuse, Tranent FC say that they will allow Forster will continue to play for the Lowland League club.
The fifth-tier team claim they have consulted the management, committee and supporters in order to gain thoughts and opinions before backing Forster, but multiple furious football fans have taken to social media to express their dismay at the decision.
Marc Wallace wrote: “Sending a horrific message that if you’re sorry and good at football, it’s fine to commit any crime you like. At your level you are constantly looking to your local community for support - I don’t care how sorry he is - any local community will not put up with abusers.”
Lee Martin also shared his frustration, saying: “Domestic abuse is never okay. This is disgusting. What a message to send out to victims. It's absolutely shameful.”
One local woman said she and her family have experienced domestic abuse and were moved to Tranent for safety reasons.
She wrote: “My son, his sisters and I were victims of domestic abuse. We were moved to Tranent by the police and council for safety reasons. My son has an adjustment disorder because of the abuse. And now a community club is seriously expecting people to be ok with a domestic abuser? NO!”
Even some outside of the football fandom have criticised the move, as Bryce Goodall states: “I am no football fan nor know anything about this club nor the domestic abuser however what I do know is this statement lacks any empathy or even sympathy for the survivor in this case! Again football protecting its image and it's club!”
Forster, who played for Hibs over 70 times, signed for Tranent earlier this month, just weeks before the trial took place. The defender admitted to causing the woman fear and alarm with his aggressive behaviour during their relationship between May and December last year.
Originally from Gorebridge in Midlothian, the 29-year-old appeared in the dock at Edinburgh Sheriff Court on Tuesday where pleaded guilty to the amended domestic abuse charge.
The court heard that the victim was in favour of a non-harrassment order, which would ban Forster from approaching or contacting the woman over the course of the order.
Court papers state Forster caused damage to a door and a wall at his home and on one occasion he seized the woman by the arm, restrained her and threw her on a bed.
It was also stated that the shamed footballer pushed the woman on the body and carried up a set of stairs at his property.
Forster had not guilty pleas accepted for throwing her against a wall and onto a bed, repeatedly seizing on her body and biting her body. The Crown also accepted his not guilty plea of throwing a shoe at the woman during the period of abuse.
Following his guilty plea on Tuesday, Tranent FC issued a statement on Twitter on Wednesday evening, in which they said they will support the player.
The statement read: “Tranent Football Club acknowledge the decision of our current player, Jordon Forster, to plead guilty to an amended domestic abuse charge at the Edinburgh Sheriff Court yesterday. Whilst we deplore any and all forms of domestic abuse, we also believe in the value of rehabilitation.
“Jordon has shown nothing but remorse as well as a willingness to correct his actions and as a Club, taking into account the thoughts and opinions of our Management, Committee, Sponsors, Colts and our Supporters, we are encouraging and assisting Jordon with his Reformation.”
There has also been criticism from a local domestic abuse charity, who say they are disappointed with the decision to back Forster, arguing that the right to play professional football should not be granted to those found guilty of violence against women.
Julie Watson, CEO of Women's Aid East and Midlothian, told Edinburgh Live: "Women’s Aid East and Midlothian is the largest provider of domestic abuse support in East Lothian to women, children and young people who have been subjected to domestic abuse.
"We absolutely stand with the members in the community of Tranent who are disappointed in the response of Tranent FC. Football has a significant place in our local community and we welcome clubs taking firm action and a consistent zero tolerance stance. It is disappointing that the club do not appear to be considering the impact of this decision around the value of safety and wellbeing of survivors of domestic abuse.
"With a significant pool of talent to choose from, it should not be problematic to expect clubs to withhold the privilege of professional football from abusers of women. Football clubs need to consider the ways in which they make it clear that abuse of women is unacceptable."
Local SNP MSP Paul McLennan has also criticised the club's stance, urging Tranent to reconsider their poisition in supporting Forster.
He told Edinburgh Live : "I am disappointed by the actions of Tranent FC in this matter
"Mr Foster pleaded guilty as you say to allegations that he was verbally and physically abusive towards his girlfriend over a seven month period in 2022.
"There were allegedly a number of incidents , both at home at his partners home and workforce.
"Football is seeing a massive increase in participation for women and girls – Tranent FC must be aware what message their actions send out to women and girls .
"There can be no excuse for this type of behaviour and I would urge Tranent Juniors to reconsider their position."
