Raith Rovers’ January transfer deadline day signing of David Goodwillie prompted fan anger and political comment.
And eight months later, he has officially been released.
Goodwillie – handed a two-and-a-half-year deal by the Kirkcaldy club – is one of the most controversial and divisive figures in Scottish football after being branded a rapist during a civil court action five years ago.
The 32-year-old and former Dundee United team-mate David Robertson were ordered to pay Denise Clair £100,000.
A judge ruled he and Robertson had raped Ms Clair, after the case had been dropped by a criminal court.
His brief time in Fife led to several severed ties at Raith Rovers and here is the list in full.
BILL CLARK
The Rovers director and former chairman told Courier Sport: “As the director of youth development and community development, for me to speak to young people and encourage them to be a part of this club — especially girls and women — is not credible, now.
“I cannot possibly continue doing that role after this decision and certainly could not support the signing of David Goodwillie.”
VAL McDERMID
Rovers superfan Val – who has a stand at Stark’s Park in her name – ended her support and shirt sponsorship of the club.
The crime writer, a former board member, wrote on Twitter: “I have this morning ended my lifelong support of Raith Rovers over their signing of the rapist David Goodwillie.
“I have cancelled next season’s shirt sponsorship over this disgusting and despicable move.
“The thought of the rapist David Goodwillie running out on the pitch at Stark’s Park in a Raith Rovers shirt with my name on it makes me feel physically sick.
“This shatters any claim to be a community or family club.”
She later told The Courier: “The 20-year sponsorship deal runs to 2026, so like this seasons’s strip, it has to stand.
“I hope it sticks in their craw every time the board members see it.”
TYLER RATTRAY
The captain of Raith Rovers’ women’s side announced she was quitting on Twitter on Tuesday morning.
Rattray said: “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.”
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. https://t.co/5N4hDymGes
— 🌻TylerRattray🌻 (@Tyler_RattrayX) February 1, 2022
ANDREW MILL
Andrew – the club’s supporter director since June 2018 – wrote on Twitter: “Most Raith fans will now be aware of the recent events that have taken place over the last day or two which resulted in us signing David Goodwillie from Clyde FC.
“As a consequence, I feel I am unable to continue as a director of Raith Rovers FC and this morning I submitted my resignation.
“Thank you for all your support during my term as your representative on the board.
“I hope I have made a different and although I may not have gotten everything right I can assure you I had the supporters’ best interests at heart all the time.”
MARGIE ROBERTSON
Rovers supporter liaison officer (SLO) Margie tweeted: “Due to recent developments within the club I have today tendered my resignation.
“My values and that of the club are now on a divergent path.
I would like to thank everyone who has encouraged me and helped me throughout my tenure. I have enjoyed meeting so many fans.”
Due to recent developments within the club I have today tendered my resignation as SLO/DAO. My values and that of the club are now on a divergent path. I would like to thank everyone who has encouraged me and helped me through out my tenure. I have enjoyed meeting so many fans.
— Raith Rovers FC SLO (@RrfcS) February 1, 2022
MARIE PENMAN
Lifelong fan Marie was appointed Raith Rovers Community Foundation’s first ever employability project delivery officer just three weeks ago.
But today she said: “Following last night’s news, I have this morning resigned from my position at @RaithRoversCF.
“This was my dream job – only started last month – as I have supported the club all my life, but their signing of Goodwillie made me sick. Shocked & so disappointed.”
TAG GAMES
Paul Farley – chairman of away shirt sponsors Tag – tweeted: “Have written to @RaithRovers ending @TagGames future shirt, or other, sponsorship and requesting our branding removed from shirts for the remainder of the season.
“We stand with @valmcdermid and the majority of fans against violence towards women.”
JOHNNY MACDONALD
The club’s stadium announcer wrote on Twitter: “Sadly I have decided to walk away from the announcing duties at the rovers.
“Never felt this way about my club in over 40 years supporting them.
“Years of work behind the scenes on trying to bring the club and fans closer together, absolutely destroyed in one fell swoop.
“Mindless, short sighted thinking that could damage the Rovers for a long time to come.”
GEORGIA SPRY
The Raith Rovers Women’s midfielder tweeted: “Gutted I no longer have a club to play for but as long as he puts on that shirt I won’t.
“Loved my time at Raith but guess it’s time for a new chapter.”
DAVIE HANCOCK
The Raith TV commentator and interviewer wrote: “With great sadness I have informed our club that I can no longer service my responsibilities as a member of Raith TV.
“The hurt and anguish this has caused people whose wellbeing I value beyond football is immeasurably upsetting.
“To the club we once were: haste ye back.”
RAITH WOMEN’S & GIRLS TEAMS
They have now split from the Fife club over its decision to sign Goodwillie
The club’s community side – including women and junior teams – will reprint their shirts without the Rovers crest, while permission has also been sought from Scottish Women’s Football to change their name.
The Courier understands the change will apply to the senior women’s team as well as the junior teams, including the Under 13 Raith Raiders squad and the Under 15 development squad.
STEVE MCANESPIE
The Raith legend has demanded the club remove him for its hall of fame.
In a statement issued through the Raith Supporters Trust, he said: “I am disgusted.
“Disgusted by the signing of that player by the club I love.”
RAITH TV TEAM
The club’s in-house TV team announced on Wednesday night they were “withdrawing from their roles with immediate effect”.
In a statement, they said: “This has been a heart-breaking decision for us.”
They later added: “We struggle to see a way back from this for our club, but we are heartened that the vast majority of Raith Rovers fans, and wider society, find this decision equally abhorrent.”
STEVE WALLACE & THE RAITH ROVERS PLAYER OF THE YEAR COMMITTEE
Committee chairman Steve is a former Raith TV commentator who has hosted matchday hospitality and even stepped into the Roary Rover mascot costume.
But on Wednesday night, he announced he was quitting his various club roles, with his fellow committee members also stepping away.
He said: “I’ve written to the Rovers board and [manager] John McGlynn to inform them that I, and the rest of the committee, will not be involved in the awards this year or indeed any other voluntary activity.”
JOHN SIM
The Raith chairman was replaced as chairman in April.
Steven MacDonald assumed the role with immediate effect after three years as a board member at Stark’s Park.
Sim sparked outrage a week after stepping down by claiming – in an interview with The Courier’s Alan Temple – that his first instinct was to CLOSE the club when it became apparent Goodwillie had no future in Fife.
JOHN McGLYNN
The manager who endorsed the Goodwillie signing left Rovers for Falkirk in May after watching his side’s season fall apart following the controversy.
In February, McGlynn said: “We have to apologise for bringing our football club and our supporters into the situation we find ourselves in.
“We just completely underestimated the depth of the feeling that’s come from that signing.
“We’re sorry. It was an enormous mistake.
“We’re not bad people. I’m not a bad person. I just want a chance to make it right.”
