Raith Rovers begin review of board composition following David Goodwillie furore

Raith Rovers have begun a review of the composition of their board following the David Goodwillie furore – but none of the directors are stepping down as it stands.

Rovers sparked a major backlash and unwanted worldwide publicity when they signed former Scotland striker Goodwillie from Clyde just before the transfer deadline.

The move was criticised by many fans, campaigners and politicians because Goodwillie had been ruled in a civil court case in 2017 to have raped a woman.

Two of the six club directors quit and a number of staff and volunteers also resigned from their roles, while sponsors pulled out and the women’s and girls’ teams disassociated themselves from the cinch Championship club.

The club later stated Goodwillie would never play for them and they remain in talks over cancelling his two-and-a-half-year contract.

Manager John McGlynn last week appealed for the chance to make amends following the “enormous” mistake and the club’s four directors – chairman John Sim, David Sinton, Tom Morgan and Steven MacDonald – plus chief executive Karen Macartney have now issued a statement which reaches out to disillusioned fans.

After repeating their apology, they wrote: “We fully acknowledge that there is still a long journey ahead of us to reach a position where the many thousands of people who are part of the Raith Rovers family feel they have trust and confidence in those of us who take the day-to-day decisions at the club.

“Some of the first steps on this journey are already under way.

“We have reached out to the supporters’ groups and meetings have already taken place, with more planned over the coming weeks to begin discussions that will lead to agreement on a plan to repair the reputational and financial damage.

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