Scots have been left angered after Raith Rovers controversially signed David Goodwillie on transfer deadline day.
The Fife football club announced that they had signed the 32-year-old from Clyde on an 18-month contract late last night.
Raith Rovers’ boss John McGlynn hailed the player as a “great signing” that will be “crucial to the club’s promotion push” in the Scottish Championship.
But many have criticised the clubs morals after signing a player who was ruled to have raped a woman in a civil court ruling in 2017.
Critics included Scots crime writer Val McDermid, who ended her association with her beloved Raith Rovers’ over the signing.
The 66-year-old described the move as “disgusting and despicable”.
First Ministser Nicola Sturgeon has also commented on on the controversy, while Raith Rovers Ladies captain Tyler Rattray quit the club in protest.
Here is a timeline of events of the footballer...
Rape charge
![](https://i2-prod.dailyrecord.co.uk/incoming/article26106494.ece/ALTERNATES/s810/0_Dundee-Uniteds-Goodwillie-reacts-during-their-Scottish-Premier-League-soccer-match-against-Celtic-a.jpg)
David Goodwillie was arrested and charged with raping a woman at a New Year’s house party in West Lothian in January 2011.
The striker, who was aged 21 at the time, was summoned to Livingston Sheriff Court following the charge.
In a statement issued at the time, Police Scotland said: “A 21-year-old man has been charged in connection with an alleged serious sexual assault on a 24-year-old woman in Armadale on January 2.
“The individual concerned has been released to appear at Livingston Sheriff Court at a later date.
“Inquiries into the incident are ongoing, and no further comment can be made at this time.”
Goodwillie’s former Dundee United teammate David Robertson was also questioned by police about the allegation.
Criminal charges against Goodwillie were dropped later that year after prosecutors blamed a lack of evidence. Robertson was never charged.
Civil court case
![](https://i2-prod.dailyrecord.co.uk/incoming/article26106512.ece/ALTERNATES/s810/0_David-Robertson-and-David-Goodwillie-civil-case.jpg)
Accuser Denise Clair waived her legal right to anonymity after the criminal case was dropped and decided to sue the footballers over the claims.
In 2016, it was revealed that David Goodwillie had planned to defend himself in the case - which would have seen him question his accuser in court.
But a judge ruled that it would “not be possible in a criminal context”.
Details of the incident were heard at the Court of Session in Edinburgh in January 2017 - six years after the rape had taken place.
Ms Clair said that she had gone out for a drink with friend on New Year’s Day in 2011 - but had no recollection of leaving the pub for a nightclub in Bathgate.
A member of security staff at the venue told the court that her eyes were rolling in her head and she could not stand up straight or speak properly.
She then found herself naked and in pain at a flat in Greig Crescent in nearby Armadale the following morning.
Weeks after the incident, Ms Clair knew with certainty that intercourse had taken place after DNA evidence was obtained from swabs taken from her.
During the trial, she maintained that she was incapable of giving free agreement to sex because of her alcohol consumption.
Goodwillie and Robertson claimed that the intercourse had been consensual.
The footballers were ruled to be rapists and ordered them to pay £100,000 in damages following the trial.
A judge told the court that he found the evidence of the pursuer to be “cogent, persuasive and compelling.”
Goodwillie and Robertson were not deemed to be credible or reliable on the issue of whether they had a reasonable or honest belief that she was consenting, according to the judge.
Ms Clair also said that she had experienced suicidal thoughts and only felt comfortable in forming an intimate relationship again five years after the rape.
Goodwillie quits football
![](https://i2-prod.dailyrecord.co.uk/incoming/article26106556.ece/ALTERNATES/s810/0_11087269.jpg)
Plymouth Argyle, who were Goodwillie’s club at the time, announced that he had left the club shortly after the court case to ‘focus his time on a potential appeal’.
In a statement, the club said: “Plymouth Argyle Football Club Limited confirm that David Goodwillie has left the club by mutual agreement.
“Mr Goodwillie has asked the club to terminate his contract of employment in order that he can focus his time on a potential appeal of the civil judgement made against him. PAFC has agreed to his request.
“PAFC will make no further comment on this matter.”
David Roberson retired from football following the ruling.
Goodwillie returns to professional football
Less than four months after being branded a rapist by a civil court, Scottish League Two side Clyde announced that Goodwillie had joined the club until the end of the 2016-17 season.
Football fans, politicians and a number of organisations criticised the club over the controversial signing.
MSP John Mason, who was one of the 322 owners of the club, said that it was “far too soon” for Goodwillie to return to football.
He said: “I accept he has not been convicted in a criminal court, however, at the very least it seems to me far too soon for someone in this position to be returning to football.
“Sports people definitely are seen as role models and although we do not expect them to be perfect, we know that young people seek to follow in the footsteps of such personalities.”
Clyde went on to defend the decision, which they claim was “not one that was taken lightly”.
In a statement, the club said that the opportunity would ‘enable him to make a positive contribution to the wider footballing community and society as a whole.’
Goodwillie loses appeal
![](https://i2-prod.dailyrecord.co.uk/incoming/article26106580.ece/ALTERNATES/s810/0_RTP_SDR_131121_QParkClyde_009JPG.jpg)
In November 2017, it was revealed that Goodwillie and Robertson had lost their appeal against the rape ruling of the civil court.
Their appeal was unanimously rejected by three judges at the Court of Session in Edinburgh.
Months after the failed appeal, Goodwillie went on to be named Clyde’s Player of the Year following their 2017-18 season in League Two.
Signing for Raith Rovers
Scottish Championship club Raith Rovers announced the signing of David Goodwillie on the final day of the January transfer window late last night.
It was also announced that the 32-year-old will be under contract with the club until the end of 2023-24 season.
Scottish crime writer Val McDermid slammed the club for the move and announced that she would be withdrawing her sponsorship of the club as of next season.
The 66-year-old said that she has ended her “lifelong support” of the Fife side.
![](https://i2-prod.dailyrecord.co.uk/incoming/article26106591.ece/ALTERNATES/s810/0_Val-McDermid-ends-Raith-Rovers-sponsorship.jpg)
She tweeted: “I have this morning ended my lifelong support of Raith Rovers over the signing of rapist David Goodwillie.
“I have cancelled next season’s shirt sponsorship over they disgusting and despicable move.
“This shattered any claim to be a community or family club. Goodwillie has never expressed a shred of remorse for the rape he committed.
“His presence at Stark’s Park is stain on the club. I’ll be tearing up my season ticket too. This is a heartbreaker for me and many other fans I know.”
The captain of Raith Rovers’ women’s side also announced that she will be quitting the club over the signing.
Tyler Rattray tweeted: “After 10 long years playing for Raith, it’s gutting I have given up now because they have signed someone like this and I want nothing to do with it.
“It was good being captain of Raith while it lasted.”
Nicola Sturgeon supported both women in their decision to cut their ties with the club.
The First Minister said: “The stances that Val McDermid and women’s team captain Tyler Rattray have taken are principled - though difficult for both of them.
“But the fact they’re in this position at all reminds us that our society still has a way to go to make zero tolerance of sexual violence a reality.”
Rape Crisis Scotland also accused Raith of sending a “message of disregard to survivors”.