Raith Rovers face furious backlash over International Women’s Day post after signing rapist David Goodwillie
RAITH Rovers are facing a furious backlash over a social media post dedicated to International Women's Day - after signing rapist David Goodwillie.
The Kirkcaldy side faced fury from celebrity fans and sponsors after taking the decision to hand the former Scotland international a two-and-a-half year deal in January.
A civil case ruled in 2017 that Goodwillie and former Dundee United team-mate David Robertson raped Denise Clair after a drunken night out in Bathgate, West Lothian, in 2011.
The striker, 32, has since been dropped by the Championship club after the angry public outcry over his signing.
But Raith Rovers have faced further fury today after sharing a post on social media dedicated to International Women's Day.
The post on Twitter read: "Imagine a gender equal world. A world free of bias, stereotypes, and discrimination.
"A world that is diverse, equitable, and inclusive. . A world where difference is valued and celebrated.
"Together we can forge women's equality. Collectively we can all #BreakTheBias #IWD22".
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Hundreds of users have shared their outrage over the Tweet following the Goodwillie signing scandal.
One person fumed: "The absolute NERVE to tweet this after signing a rapist".
Another added: "Imagine a world where football clubs don't employ rapists."
Someone else said: "The lack of self awareness is astounding".
HUGE BACKLASH
The decision caused lifelong fans and members of Rovers to walk away, and sparked outrage from the club's women's team.
Women’s captain Tyler Rattray ended her ten-year stint with Rovers, while her teammates moved to ditch the Kirkcaldy club’s name and badge — and shift home matches from Stark’s Park.
Furious director Bill Clark, who is a lifelong Rovers fan, quit his role along with supporter-director Andy Mill in disgust.
Celebrity superfan Val McDermid said she was ending her association with the club over the incident.
Volunteers from the club’s RaithTV channel, supporters liaison officer Margie Roberts, stadium announcer Johnny MacDonald, programme contributor Carol Smith and Marie Penman of the Raith Community Foundation quit.
Raith had originally said they were standing by their decision.
David Goodwillie resigning at Clyde causes Scottish council to ‘review partnership’ with club
But a later statement said they would now be entering into a discussion with the player over the remainder of his contract - and Goodwillie was seen leaving Stark's Park in a Range Rover.
Lifelong fan Val, 66, welcomed the announcement but insisted it was “just the first step on a long road back”.
The crime author sponsored home tops and a stand at the ground before pulling the plug on her deals on Tuesday.
Former PM and fellow fan Gordon Brown, who slammed the signing, said the club had now made the “right decision”.
The ex-Labour chief added that football needed to consider how it deals with cases of players involved in rape and violence against women.
RAPE CASE
A judge in a civil court hearing ruled that Goodwillie and former Dundee United teammate David Robertson raped Denise Clair at a flat in Armadale, West Lothian.
Lord Armstrong said the mum of one had been “incapable of giving meaningful consent” after a night out and ordered the pair to pay her £100,000 in damages.
Goodwillie — who also played for Aberdeen, Blackburn Rovers and Ross County — left Plymouth Argyle by mutual consent following the ruling before joining Clyde.
He scored 109 goals in 176 games for the Cumbernauld side and went on to become club captain.
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Goodwillie attempted to return to Clyde on loan from Raith Rovers following the furious reaction to his signing.
But the contract was axed by Bully Wee bosses after the striker was told he was banned from their Broadwood ground by stadium owners North Lanarkshire council.
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