Raith Rovers apologise and confirm David Goodwillie will not play for the club

Raith Rovers have apologised and performed a U-turn over their controversial decision to sign David Goodwillie earlier this week.

The 32-year-old, who was found by a judge in a civil case in 2017 to have raped a woman, signed for the cinch Championship club from League 1 side Clyde on a two-and-a-half-year contract on Monday.

Several prominent supporters, directors and sponsors, including high-profile author Val McDermid, withdrew their backing of the club as a result.

However, Rovers have now admitted they “got it wrong” and announced their intention to cancel Goodwillie’s contract.

A statement on the club’s website on Thursday morning attributed to chairman John Sim read: “I firstly want to apologise wholeheartedly to our fans, sponsors, players and the wider Raith Rovers community for the anguish and anger caused over the past few days.

“We got it wrong.”

The statement acknowledged that Rovers had put football success over morals and their community ethos.

It continued: “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.

“Over the past couple of days, we listened carefully to the fans who have got in touch and I’m very grateful for their honesty. As chairman, as a board and as a management team, we have all learned a hard but valuable lesson.”

Moves are now afoot to cancel Goodwillie’s contract.

The statement concluded: “This very unfortunate episode is something that we all bitterly regret and we are now wholly committed to making things right.

“I can therefore confirm that, following a meeting of the Raith Rovers board, the player will not be selected by Raith Rovers and we will enter into