David Goodwillie: Raith Rovers send rapist striker back to Clyde on loan
- Published
David Goodwillie has scored 17 goals in 25 Clyde appearances this season
David Goodwillie has returned to Clyde on loan from Raith Rovers, who had faced a public outcry for signing the striker ruled to be a rapist.
The 32-year-old former Scotland international was ordered to pay damages in a civil case in 2017.
Rovers agreed an undisclosed fee with Clyde when signing Goodwillie on a two-and-a-half year contract in January.
First Minister Nicola Sturgeon is among those criticising the Scottish League 1 club for taking him back.
And North Lanarkshire Council said it is "reviewing all our commercial partnership arrangements with the club" following Goodwillie's return.
After a similar backlash following his move to Stark's Park, Rovers had decided Goodwillie would never play for them.
Two directors of the Scottish Championship club resigned following the signing, with author Val McDermid withdrawing her sponsorship and transferring it to the renamed McDermid Ladies after the women's team severed ties with the Stark's Park outfit.
Manager John McGlynn also subsequently issued a public apology and the club launched "a thorough review of the composition" of their board.
Now, though, amid negotiations designed to sever his contract, the former Dundee United, Blackburn Rovers and Aberdeen forward has returned to the League 1 club, where he had spent five years, becoming captain and leading scorer, until the end of the season.
In a two-sentence statement, Rovers confirmed the deal and thanked Clyde "for their co-operation".
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Former sponsor McDermid immediately responded on Twitter by criticising the Fife club's "mealy-mouthed board" for not having negotiated a permanent termination of Goodwillie's contract.
Sturgeon tweeted that Clyde should have not taken him back, claiming he had shown no "remorse", while Rape Crisis Scotland described it as "a shameful decision that sends yet another clear message of disregard to survivors of rape and sexual violence".
The Cumbernauld club stated on their website: "Following an initial approach by Raith Rovers, and subsequent agreement between the two clubs, we can confirm that David Goodwillie has returned to Broadwood on loan until the end of the 2021-22 season.
"This enables David to return to first-team activities, including training and playing - and, in doing so, continue his career in football at the current time."
Clyde this week faced calls from a section of their own fans and sponsors for an extraordinary meeting amid anger at suggestions the board had rejected the chance to take Goodwillie back on loan.
However, Clyde supporting MSP John Mason tweeted that he is "incredibly disappointed" by the player's return.
"Mistake in 2017 and repeating mistake is inexcusable," he said. "Yes, fans like his goals, but should we not look at wider aspects? Is violence against women being downplayed? Will not be at any more Clyde games this season."
Goodwillie, who had moved to Stark's Park as he desired a return to full-time football, had written to fans expressing his sadness that Clyde's board had initially rejected his return, saying he wished he could turn the clock back.
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