Raith Rovers were my club for 30 years, until they signed a rapist

‘The club would like to welcome striker David Goodwillie to Raith Rovers FC as a signed player on a permanent deal until the end of season 2023-24.’

That confirmation by the team of his signing on Monday night was the end of my long relationship with the Raith Rovers, at least while he and those in charge remain there.

I’ve supported the Kirkcaldy-based club for over 30 years and there have been plenty of low moments to go with the scattered highs, but never have I felt as angry, frankly as embarrassed, to call them my football team as I do right now.

Goodwillie has been signed to inject life into a misfiring football team, but by bringing him – a rapist – in the club have made a mockery of their own stated values, alienated much of the fanbase and ensured that a woman’s trauma is, once again, dragged into the public discourse.

Let’s be clear that the last point is the most important. There is only one victim here: Denise Clair.

A civil court ruled in 2017 that Goodwillie and David Robertson raped her and, only three months after that case ended Goodwillie joined Clyde, which exposed her to the court of public opinion, and the assorted abuse and trolling which inevitably follows.

Raith Rovers, in deciding that he was the only possible player who could rescue their season, have done the same five years later.

They have shown zero regard for Denise Clair’s welfare; they simply don’t care what impact their decision has on her or her family, just so long as they have the missing piece for a promotion push.

I can only hope Denise, who bravely waived her right to anonymity to speak about the attack by Goodwillie and Robertson, and her family are coping.

In that context, my own feelings – and those of my fellow Raith Rovers supporters –