Raith Rovers’ women’s team captain Tyler Rattray QUITS after club sign rapist David Goodwillie
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THE captain of Raith Rovers' women's team has joined the club's supporter liaison officer in quitting the Sottish Championship club after the signing of rapist David Goodwillie.
Skipper Tyler Rattray, who had been with the Kirkcaldy club for 10 years, announced her decision this morning.
Rattray said she found it ‘gutting’ to be leaving her role, but added she wants ‘nothing to do’ with the club after they signed Goodwillie, 32, on transfer deadline day yesterday.
In a post on her Twitter page, Tyler wrote: “After 10 long years playing for raith, it’s gutting I have given up now because they have signed someone like this and I want nothing to do with it! It was good being captain of raith while it lasted.”
Margie Roberston, the club's supporter liaison officer, has also walked out over the controversial transfer.
Ms Robertson said her values and those of the club are ‘now on a divergent path’.
Confirming her decision, she wrote on Twitter: “Due to recent developments within the club I have today tendered my resignation as SLO/DAO. My values and that of the club are now on a divergent path. I would like to thank everyone who has encouraged me and helped me throughout my tenure. I have enjoyed meeting so many fans.”
Rattray's message has attracted more than a thousand retweets and likes from her supportive followers.
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Raith later put out a statement on , that read: "As with all new signings, the club has carefully considered our position as a community club and we completely respect the differing views among fans and stakeholders, many of whom we have spoken to directly in the past 24 hours and are continuing to engage with.
"As David has previously played for Raith Rovers earlier in his career, we consider him to be part of Raith Rovers Football Club.
"The management team is familiar with David’s career and background and – in particular – his footballing ability.
"That is our foremost consideration, and we believe that he will strengthen the Raith Rovers playing squad.
"Please be assured that as a community football club we fully acknowledge this signing has divided opinion amongst our loyal fans and commercial stakeholders; We aim to rebuild that trust.
"While acknowledging the gravity of what happened ten years ago, as a club we fully support and encourage rehabilitation, and many factors influenced our signing.
"First and foremost, this was a football related decision."
Celebrity Raith Rovers fan and best-selling crime writer Val McDermid also says she has ENDED her lifelong support of the club after the Kirkcaldy side signed Goodwillie.
The legendary author had to sign the shamed former Dundee United and Scotland striker in a series of tweets back in December.
But John McGlynn's side persisted with the transfer - and snapped him up on a two and a half year deal on deadline day.
Her stance drew support from numerous football fans, anti-rape charities and celebrities.
A civil case ruled in 2017 that Goodwillie, 32, and former Dundee United team-mate David Robertson raped Denise Clair after a drunken night out in Bathgate, West Lothian, in 2011.
Prosecutors refused to bring criminal proceedings against them but mum-of-one Denise — who waived her right to anonymity — launched a civil case.
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Judge Lord Armstrong rejected their claims that she had been a willing participant in a threesome and ordered them to pay £100,000 compensation at the Court of Session in Edinburgh.
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He said: “Both took advantage when she was vulnerable.”
Denise claimed the pair felt they were ‘untouchable’.
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