Clyde re-sign striker David Goodwillie on loan from Raith Rovers

Daniel Brown

Goodwillie was told he would ‘never play’ for Raith Rovers

Warning: This article contains reference to sexual violence

David Goodwillie has re-signed for Clyde on loan from Raith Rovers after the club was heavily criticised for signing the striker who was ruled to be a rapist in civil court.

The former Scotland international joined Raith on a permanent deal until the end of season 2023/24 in the January transfer window.

The 32-year-old and fellow footballer David Robertson were accused of rape by Denise Clair in 2011.

After the Crown declined to prosecute, Clair – who waived her right to anonymity – launched a civil case against the footballers.

In what was the first civil case of its kind in Scotland, a judge sided with Clair and ordered the pair to pay £100,000 damages.

Clair reiterated that she was unable to provide consent because of her alcohol consumption, but Goodwillie and Robertson claimed that intercourse had been consensual. An appeal by the pair was later dismissed in 2017.

Following the backlash from his signing, Rovers later announced that Goodwillie would never play for them.

His arrival at the club led to the departure of two directors from the Scottish Championship side, as well as author Val McDermid withdrawing her sponsorship.

Instead, McDermid transferred her sponsorship to the renamed McDermid Ladies, with the women’s team having severed ties with the Stark’s Park club.

Now, the former Dundee United, Blackburn Rovers and Aberdeen striker has returned to the League 1 club – where he spent five years during his first stint – until the end of the season.

The club can confirm that we have agreed terms with Clyde FC for a loan arrangement for David Goodwillie until the end of the current season.

We would like to thank Clyde FC for their cooperation. pic.twitter.com/SFfQAQs4sI

— Raith Rovers Football Club (@RaithRovers) March 1, 2022

Rovers released a short statement to confirm the deal, thanking Clyde “for their co-operation”.

“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,” the Cumbernauld club’s statement read.

“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.”

During his time at Clyde, Goodwillie became the club captain and leading scorer.

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