An East Lothian football club has apologised and sacked a player they initially pledged to support after he admitted an abusive stalking campaign of 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 s wearing and shouting at her.
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Despite saying that they “deplore” any form of domestic abuse, Tranent FC originally said on Wednesday that they will allow Forster to continue to play for the Lowland League club. But on Thursday they confirmed a dramatic U-turn and tore up his contract.
On Thursday afternoon, the club said: "Tranent FC can confirm the contract of Jordon Forster has been terminated with immediate effect.
"As a board, we have made a mistake and we apologise to the victim, our fans, the local community and to the wider sporting world for any offence caused, this was never our intention.
"We are a club committed to doing the absolute best we can, and we clearly got this wrong. We will endeavour to do better going forward."
In initially announcing their intention to stand by Forster, the fifth-tier team said they consulted the management, committee and supporters in order to gain thoughts and opinions before backing Forster, but multiple furious football fans had 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 Wednesday saying they support the reformation of Forster. However, less than 24 hours, the club have been forced into a sensational backtrack, and have now dropped the player with immediate effect.
The move to end the club's association with Forster comes after significant pressure from various groups, with widespread criticism of their initial support of Forster.
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."
