David Goodwillie: Glasgow United says rapist 'deserves a chance'

David Goodwillie made three appearances for Scotland between 2010 and 2011

Rapist David Goodwillie's new team says the former Scotland international "deserves a chance".

Goodwillie, who was ruled to be a rapist in a 2017 civil case, played for ninth-tier side Glasgow United FC in a friendly match last Wednesday.

The 34-year-old has seen several moves to clubs in Scotland, England and Australia collapse due to fan outrage.

Glasgow United, based in Shettleston in the city's east end, did not confirm if Goodwillie had signed a contract.

Rape Crisis Scotland has said previously that it is unacceptable for a club to employ a footballer who has "been found by a senior judge to be a rapist".

It comes ahead of Goodwillie speaking out for the first time since the 2017 ruling on the Anything Goes podcast by Scottish actor and reality star James English.

In a series of clips released ahead of its broadcast, the footballer says he does not feel like he has had justice and both parties have been left in limbo.

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Glasgow United, which plays in the West of Scotland third division, selected Goodwillie to play in a match against West of Scotland Premier Division side Pollok but lost 7-0.

A Glasgow United FC spokesperson said club officials met the player several weeks ago.

"After listening to David and meeting his young family and the rejection he has had from numerous clubs who pulled out of signing him after sponsors made threats to pull out we thought he deserves a chance," they told BBC Scotland.

"All he wants is to be left in peace and be allowed to play the game he loves.

"We are a club who has a number of members with varying needs we look after in different ways we don't just turn people away."

Goodwillie's move to Raith Rovers in 2022 sparked a backlash

In 2017, Goodwillie and former Dundee United teammate David Robertson were ordered to pay £100,000 in damages after a judge ruled they raped a woman at a flat in Armadale, West Lothian, in 2011.

Neither faced a criminal trial over the rape accusation after prosecutors said there was not enough evidence.

Robertson retired from football aged 30 in the days after the ruling, while Goodwillie left English side Plymouth Argyle by "mutual agreement".

However, the forward soon signed with League One side Clyde, who he played for more than 100 times captained before leaving in 2022.

Raith Rovers sparked outrage by signing Goodwillie in January 2022 and a loan move back to Clyde also collapsed.

Rape Crisis Scotland described the Raith Rovers move as a "clear message of disregard to survivors of rape and sexual violence".

The forward was released without playing a game in September 2022, with Raith Rovers admitting it "got it wrong" by signing him.

In February this year Northern Premier League side Radcliffe FC, based in Bury, Greater Manchester, released the striker after one game following a public outcry.

Four months later, Goodwillie's contract with Australian semi-professional club Sorrento FC was rescinded. The club apologised to anyone "that may have been caused offence by his signing".

'Dignified and strong'

Sunday Post journalist Marion Scott, who was the first person to tell the story of his victim, Denise Clair, said Goodwillie has never shown any remorse.

Ahead of his podcast interview, she told BBC Radio's Good Morning Scotland: "I think he's only speaking out now because he's come to the end of his rope, people are now waking up to the fact that they don't want a rapist to be a role model for their children and that's why football clubs have repeatedly turned him away.

"In this country if someone can kick a ball then they seem to be put up on a pedestal as if they are some kind of hero. It doesn't matter what they do in their private life - well I think the tide is turning and people are disgusted by behaviour like that.

"I hope Denise will just take this and get on with her life as she always has done. She is one of the most dignified and strong and powerful women, she has done so much to shine a light on the appalling way victims of sexual crimes are treated in this country."