Clyde FC defends decision to sign David Goodwillie despite criticism led by Rape Crisis Scotland and a Glasgow MSP
Rape Crisis Scotland has hit out at Scottish football club Clyde for giving a contract to David Goodwillie, who was branded a rapist in court in January.
Former Scotland international Goodwillie and his former Dundee Utd teammate David Robertson were ruled to be rapists by Lord Armstrong and ordered to pay £100,000 in damages to the woman they were said to have attacked in the first civil rape case of its kind in Scotland.
Robertson has since retired from playing but Goodwillie recently accepted a contract until the end of the season from League Two strugglers Clyde.
The club released a statment saying it is aware of the controversy caused by the signing but as a “socially responsible employer” it is enabling Goodwillie to make a positive contribution to society as a whole.
However, Sandy Brindley, Rape Crisis Scotland coordinator, blasted the signing, saying it sent out the wrong message.
“Footballers are often seen as role models for young people,” she said.
“It is concerning to have someone in this role who was found by a senior judge to be a rapist.
“We need to make sure young people, particularly young men, know that targeting very drunk women for rape is extremely serious, with devastating consequences.”
Victim Denise Clair, who previously waived her right to anonymity, maintained she was incapable of giving free agreement to sex because of her alcohol consumption after a night out in Bathgate in January 2011, but Goodwillie and Robertson claimed that intercourse had been consensual.
The pair never faced trial in a criminal court but in January’s civil proceedings Lord Armstrong said: “I find that in the early hours of Sunday 2 January 2011, at the flat in Greig Crescent, Armadale, both defenders (the footballers) took advantage of the pursuer when she was vulnerable through an excessive intake of alcohol and, because her cognitive functioning and decision-making processes were so impaired, was incapable of giving meaningful consent; and that they each raped her."
Rape Crisis Scotland has been joined in its condemnation of Clyde FC by John Mason, MSP for Glasgow Shettleston, a Clyde season ticket owner and shareholder in the club.
In a statement he said he would no longer be attending matches following the signing of Goodwillie.
“I accept he (Goodwillie) has not been convicted in a criminal court, however, at the very least it seems to me far too soon for someone in this position to be returning to football,” he said.
“Sports people definitely are seen as role models and although we do not expect them to be perfect, we know that young people seek to follow in the footsteps of such personalities.
"The Christian faith is also very important to me and I strongly believe in forgiveness for people who admit to doing wrong. But it is usually good to allow a bit of time for the dust to settle. January just seems too recent to say that these events are part of history."
A statement posted on the Clyde website reads: “The coverage of this signing brings the conversation back into the media around an event that has clearly damaged lives and this conversation raises awareness of the need for both responsible decisions and respect.
“As a socially responsible employer we will always seek to support people, to rebuild lives and careers, especially so after mistakes.
“We have on this occasion assessed the person, their abilities and their intentions. We uniquely interviewed the player from a non-footballing perspective and satisfied ourselves that we are offering the opportunity and support for him to begin to reconcile his position and responsibilities and for him to rebuild a sporting career, enabling him to make a positive contribution to the wider footballing community and society as a whole.”
