Val McDermid, Raith Rovers and the Rapist

I didn't know about this. However, yesterday we were talking about the other young footballer who has been accused (yes I know only accused, nothing has been proven). My husband said 'He's only 20 and he's very good. Whatever the outcome he will be back playing at some point. It's about money and results.'

Well done Val McDermid. I do remember the case.

Lord Armstrong was critical of Goodwillie, saying his evidence was ‘partial’ and partisan’. He ruled: ‘both defenders 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.’ In contrast, the testimony of Ms Clair was described by Lord Armstrong as: ‘cogent, persuasive and compelling’.

I didn't know the background to this.
It seems, tho, that the 'football decision' may actually lead to very bad times for Raith Rovers.

is this man never to be allowed to work again?

Yes, but not in such a privileged position.

He's hardly a world-class player that the club is dependent on for survival - there must be many young players who could take his place and who don't have such a history of violence.

I've just heard on Woman's Hour the press statement that the club has put out - unbelievably crass!

This man has never stopped working.
There will be no dancing in the streets of Raith over this ( an old joke).

is this man never to be allowed to work again?

Preferably not where his deeds and actions as a mentor to young impressionable men who could view the rape, abuse and violation of women as a "cool" and acceptable way to treat women with few, if any, punishments. Had Goodwillie had the decency to admit and face up to his actions, instead of forcing his victim to take civil action against him, I might have had more sympathy for him. But he didn't. And I don't.

I cannot believe posters on here defending this man. As for the other player who at the moment is being investigated, I don't think he will be working any time soon. Im sick of footballers being treated like gods, no wonder they view themselves as untouchable. Would you be delighted if your daughter/granddaughter brought either of these two home? No? Thought not.

Well hats of to Val, I love footie. I would say even at grass roots I hope he never gets back to play or has any involvement. I support our local team and it’s surprising how the little ones look up to the older ones even at the very beginning.
I think the writing is on the wall purely with how few gay players are prepared to out themselves, it’s a very harsh arena.

Chewbacca

^is this man never to be allowed to work again?^

Preferably not where his deeds and actions as a mentor to young impressionable men who could view the rape, abuse and violation of women as a "cool" and acceptable way to treat women with few, if any, punishments. Had Goodwillie had the decency to admit and face up to his actions, instead of forcing his victim to take civil action against him, I might have had more sympathy for him. But he didn't. And I don't.

Well said, Chewbacca. Goodwillie has never once shown any shred of remorse for his actions - surely a prerequisite for any rehabilitation? His actions are indefensible. And Raith have simply dug themselves an even deeper hole with the statement they put out last night defending their signing of him.

Val McDermid is not only a brilliant author but someone with morals. Who was it at Raith Rovers who thought this was a good signing? He, and it will be a 'he', wants naming and shaming because to employ a convicted rapist is a total insult to any woman connected to Raith Rovers and in the wider world.

Sarnia And what makes it worse is that the board at Raith Rovers were already well aware of the feelings of Val McDermid and others before the signing of Goodwillie was confirmed. Val and others had already raised their serious concerns when it was first rumoured that the club was interested in the player - yet they still went ahead.

Blondiescot

Sarnia And what makes it worse is that the board at Raith Rovers were already well aware of the feelings of Val McDermid and others before the signing of Goodwillie was confirmed. Val and others had already raised their serious concerns when it was first rumoured that the club was interested in the player - yet they still went ahead.

They went ahead after assuring Val that they would not sign him!

Tizliz

Blondiescot

Sarnia And what makes it worse is that the board at Raith Rovers were already well aware of the feelings of Val McDermid and others before the signing of Goodwillie was confirmed. Val and others had already raised their serious concerns when it was first rumoured that the club was interested in the player - yet they still went ahead.

They went ahead after assuring Val that they would not sign him!

Which underlines how they regard women!

dogsmother

Well hats of to Val, I love footie. I would say even at grass roots I hope he never gets back to play or has any involvement. I support our local team and it’s surprising how the little ones look up to the older ones even at the very beginning.
I think the writing is on the wall purely with how few gay players are prepared to out themselves, it’s a very harsh arena.

Oh good. Another footy lover. I support a Prem club but watch grass roots too. Nothing like sitting in a dilapidated stand in the pouring rain and watching good old-fashioned football. No VAR or prima donnas there. I agree with you. These players are role models for the up and coming youngsters. Never a better time to lead by showing a good example to them.

I suppose they thought because Clyde got away with it they could do the same. Lots of clubs seem to rate playing abilities above morals. It is good when supporters take a stand against it. How come nobody at Clyde spoke out or did they?

25Avalon As I remember, there was a bit of an outcry when he was signing for Clyde, but nothing as high-profile as this. As a friend of mine put it, the Clyde board simply stuck two fingers up at those supporters who did question it and then laid low until the fuss died down. Which is all the more reason to keep up the pressure on the Raith board to reconsider their decision.

I don’t like Joey Barton or Lee Bowyer either but they have been allowed to progress.

I do think football as a whole needs a thorough rethink. I don't think it is healthy that children as young as 9 or 10 are started on the route to professional play and are subjected to regimes that promote aggression, rivalry and the need to win. Football has probably caused as much damage to some of the men involved in it as they have caused to women. That doesn't excuse Goodwillie's behavour but it does mean that those running and organising the game and making vast sums of money should be prepared to develop systems and support that not only deal with men already convicted of rape or assault but build in safe guards to prevent this happening over and over again.
I'd have been happier with Val McDermid if she had insisted any support she gave should be used to develop such programmes.

Can't help but compare these footballers to certain Officers in the Met. Such a sense of entitlement and feeling they are above the law. Institutional misogyny, racism etc seems rife.

I would need to know the statistics before being concerned that it is football as a profession that is the issue. The rates of assault may be the same in any Male dominated profession it's just if you are a plumber it wont make the front page. Its possible that the entitlement that can come with fame and success may exacerbate it but it's very difficult to say that it is the profession as such that is the issue.

I'd have been happier with Val McDermid if she had insisted any support she gave should be used to develop such programmes.

Why is it the responsibility of Val McDiarmid to do that? Why is it the responsibility of any woman to do that? Men are the rapists and sexual abusers; it's men who should be addressing the problem and it's them who should be building in the safe guards to ensure that any man who has been convicted of such crimes has no future in football. Women also play football but I'm struggling to come up with one single occurrence of a female footballer who has raped or sexually assaulted a man but you can correct me if I'm wrong trisher.

I've searched extensively and can find only one rugby player who has been accused of sexual assault and the same for cricketers. This would seem to indicate that the problem lies within the sport of football itself. And it's for them to sort out - not the fans, not it's sponsors and most certainly not the victims.

Add this one to the list of 6 footballers being investigated for rape and sexual assaults:

A 31 year old Everton footballer arrested for alleged child sex offences has had his bail extended for a fourth time. The millionaire footballer, who plays for his country, had his home raided
The Premier League player, who cannot legally be named, is now bailed until April 17 2022.

The Raith home attendance last night was 60% of their average, so the paying public weren't too thrilled either.

Why would you have been happier with Val McD if she insisted any support she gave was used to develop programmes to support and prevent rape or assault

Raith Rovers have issued an announcement that Goodwillie, a convicted rapist, will not now play for the club. The statement says In reaching our original decision we focused far too much on football matters and not enough on what this decision would mean for our club and the community as a whole. That speaks volumes.