Val McDermid ends lifelong support for Raith Rovers following signing of David Goodwillie

Val McDermid, who was arguably one of the most well known fans of Raith Rovers, has announced that she has ended her lifelong support for the Kirkcaldy side after the signing of David Goodwillie.

Last night, the club announced the 32-year-old's arrival at Stark's Park on a permanent deal until the end of the 2023/24 season.

But his signing has caused outrage among many people on social media, with fans unhappy about him joining the club.

In 2017, he was branded a rapist during a civil court case and he and another footballer David Robertson, who both used to be team-mates at another football club, were ordered to pay a woman £100,000 in damages.

A judge ruled that Goodwillie and Robertson had raped the woman after the case was dropped by a criminal court.

Prior to making his move to Fife, Goodwillie was at League One side Clyde.

Meanwhile, Val McDermid has also announced this morning that she has cancelled next season's shirt sponsorship and expressed her heartbreak.

On Twitter, the well known crime writer said: "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.

"This shatters 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 Starks Park is a 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."

Fife Rape and Sexual Assault Centre and Rape Crisis Scotland have condemned the signing of Goodwillie.

Both organisations are calling on the Championship club to reverse its decision on signing him.

A statement reads: "We are surprised and deeply disappointed that Raith Rovers FC are happy to send such a clear message of disregard to survivors of rape and sexual violence in signing David Goodwillie.

"Fundamentally – though it seems Raith FC do not agree - women’s lives are more important than men’s talent or careers.

"Footballers are role models – particularly for young people – and it’s not okay to have someone in this position who has been found by a senior judge to be a rapist.

"We wonder whether those who took this decision thought for a second about how it may look or feel to survivors to have to watch someone judged to have committed rape be celebrated and applauded.

"This was a bad decision that sends entirely the wrong message, and it should be withdrawn."

Anyone needing support from either organisation can access its websites through the links above.

Tyler Rattray, who was the women's captain of Raith Rovers, has quit playing for the club after a decade.

She announced the decision on Twitter.

Tyler 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."

Margie Robertson has also quit as Supporter Liaison Officer for the club.

She said on Twitter: "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."

The Courier is reporting that Bill Clark has quite as the club's chairman, with Andy Mill also quitting as a director after both opposed Goodwillie joining the club.

There have been more resignations during the day and you can see a list of who has quit on the newspaper's website.

Meanwhile, First Minister Nicola Sturgeon has expressed her praise on Twitter for Val McDermid and Tyler Rattray.

She 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."

Tag Games has announced on Twitter this afternoon that it has written to Raith Rovers ending any future sponsorship and asking for its brand to be removed from shirts for the rest of this season.

The board of Raith Supporters Trust says it strongly opposes the signing of Goodwillie.

A statement from the trust reads: "The board of Raith Supporters Trust strongly oppose last night’s transfer deadline signing of David Goodwillie, which runs contrary to the values of Raith Rovers as an inclusive club at the heart of its community.

"When speculation about this transfer began in late December the reaction from fans, shareholders and sponsors was clearly stated, and the board of Raith Rovers Football Club must have anticipated the backlash this morning.

"We will be at our usual meeting point in the South Stand concourse at Starks Park this evening for the match against Queen of the South, to listen to the views of our members and the wider support, in order that we can properly represent their views in discussions with the club."

Commenting on the signing of Goodwillie on the Raith Rovers website, the club's manager John McGlynn said: "I have worked with David before and he has a proven track record as a goalscorer throughout his career at every level.

"We know from matches against Clyde in League 1 that he always carried a goal threat.

"Signing him, I believe, is crucial to the club’s promotion push in our quest to reach the SPFL Premiership – it is a great signing for Raith Rovers as a club, as David is the top goal scorer in Scotland.

"Every striker at the club will benefit greatly from his experience in matches and training."

Tonight, a statement was issued by the club.

It reads: "As announced on our website last night, Raith Rovers FC can confirm that we have signed David Goodwillie from Clyde FC.

"David is a proven goal scorer, and this will be his second stint with the club, having previously played for us on loan from Dundee United during season 2007-08.

"As with all new signings, the club has carefully considered our position as a Community Club and we completely respect the differing views among fans and stakeholders, many of whom we have spoken to directly in the past 24 hours and are continuing to engage with.

"As David has previously played for Raith Rovers earlier in his career, we consider him to be part of the Raith Rovers Football Club.

"The management team is familiar with David’s career and background and – in particular – his footballing ability.

"That is our foremost consideration, and we believe that he will strengthen the Raith Rovers playing squad.

"Please be assured that as a community football club we fully acknowledge this signing has divided opinion amongst our loyal fans and commercial stakeholders; we aim to rebuild that trust.

"While acknowledging the gravity of what happened ten years ago, as a club we fully support and encourage rehabilitation, and many factors influenced our signing. But first and foremost, this was a football related decision."