Raith Rovers' 'chairman' has admitted they got it wrong over the controversial David Goodwillie signing, and says the player won't feature for the Kirkcaldy club.
In a statement issued today, signed 'Chairman, on behalf of the board of Raith Rovers FC,' the club states that they will "enter into discussions with the player regarding his contractual position".
The 32-year-old's transfer from League One club Clyde to Championship side Raith Rovers invoked a storm of protest, with crime author Val McDermid - who was a major sponsor - pulling out all of her funding, with various volunteers and board members quitting the club.
Their women's team detached themselves entirely from the club, and First Minister Nicola Sturgeon questioned the signing.
Goodwillie was ordered in 2017 to pay £100,000 in damages by a judge in a civil court case, after it was ruled he raped a woman at a flat in West Lothian six years earlier.
Raith Rovers' 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.
"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."
In response, Val McDermid, who has extensive advertising at Stark's Park and was a major backer, issued a statement calling for the board and directors to go.
It read: "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."
Follow Lanarkshire Live Sport on Twitter via @LanLiveSport, like us on Facebook or find us on Instagram for the latest sports news, pictures and video.
