Val McDermid, Raith Rovers and the Rapist

Tricky, my first thought was good for them BUT after five years could there not be improvement in his behaviour? Must he be condemned for ever?

Midgey, why would his behaviour improve because five years have passed?

Well done Val McD - she’s had expert advice in researching and writing. One of our well known forensic psychiatrists has advised her. I’m sure Val McD understands the reality of sex offenders
Football may be heading for it’s Me two moment

Oh, this is a difficult one.

Obviously she can spend her money how she likes and this must have been so hard for Val. She has a stand there named after her, for goodness sake.

And I don't know the background to this case; is this man never to be allowed to work again?

I'll be interested to read what else is posted here about it.

Professional footballers are often someone who young people in particular admire and aspire to be like. Football clubs are active in their communities and aspire to be family focussed.
Goodwillie has never accepted guilt or shown remorse for his actions. I think he should be held accountable for his actions.
I admire these women for standing up for their believes and showing support for women.

I agree Zennomore

Hats off to Val McDiarmid. As Zennomore says, professional footballers make a huge impression on young males and David Goodwillie, Benjamin Mandy and "the other one" who is currently under investigation on rape charges, aren't exactly setting a good example. There seems to be something very wrong with some male footballers, their attitude to women and the word NO.

Benjamin Mendy not Mandy.

I agree too.

There needs to be zero tolerance of rape, violence and misogyny - in football as well as everywhere else.

I believe in rehabilitation, and wouldn't want Goodwillie or anyone else to be unable to work again, but have no qualms about the fact that his crime should bar him from being able to work in a high profile job where he could become a role model, or even just an example of someone who did that and 'got away with it'.

Well done Val McDermid. I am a fan of her books, and have seen her talk - she seems very grounded and sensible, and this has just strengthened my opinion of her.

Sorry I dont know this case. Did he serve a prison sentence?

Galaxy - Diane Clair accused Goodwillie and a team mate of rape. The criminal case was dropped due to lack of evidence. Diane Clair brought a civil case against them, it was the first civil rape case of its kind in Scotland. It was determined that Diane had been raped.

A job - yes. A job that makes him a role model - no.

Goodwillie has never shown any remorse.

Raith Rovers statement on this is 'First and foremost this was a football related decision'. www.raithrovers.net/52429/club-statement-10.htm

After the criminal case was dropped the Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority determined that Diane Clair had been raped and awarded her £11,000 compensation.
Jack McConnell the First Minister at the time called on a case review. It was after that that Diane decided to sue them in a civil court.

It’s not only her sponsorship that has been withdrawn. Other club officials have resigned because of this contract and rightly so, to my mind.

* Denise Clair not Diane * blasted auto correct

Absolutely incensed by Raith Rovers' handling of this issue. Val McDermid, along with many others who have had long associations with the club, raised their concerns when rumours first circulated that they were interested in signing Goodwillie. The club chose to ignore their concerns and sign him anyway.
They are now losing not only their major sponsor, but board directors, long-standing staff members and supporters in droves. People who have supported the club through thick and thin, for decades - who no longer want anything to do with them - and rightly so. Clubs like Raith are very much a part of their local community and should be setting an example. What message does this send out to their young supporters, female employees etc - that they are somehow less important that someone who might just bang in a few goals for the club?
Goodwillie has never once expressed even a shred of remorse with regards to this incident. How can there be rehabilitation without remorse?

Thanks zennomore. So I dont think the arguments about rehabilitation stack up then because there has been no sentence. He hasnt paid his dues so to speak.

What an unfortunate surname the chap has!

The women’s captain, Tyler Rattray, announced on Tuesday: “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!”

Benjamin Mendy is charged with six counts of rape and one of sexual assault relating to four complainants over the age of 16.
"The other one" is facing charges on suspicion of rape, sexual assault and making threats to kill.
Ched Evans convicted of raping a 19-year-old girl who was too drunk to consent.
Adam Johnson alleged to have sexually assaulted a minor 15-year-old girl. He was arrested on charges of sexual offence and child grooming. Although he denied all the charges, the court found him guilty, as he served six years in prison.
Marlon King accused of sexual assault assault, occasioning actual bodily harm over the 20-year-old girl, leading to his arrest, and he was sentenced to 18 months of imprisonment. Besides, he was also placed on the Sex Offender Register for a period of seven years.
Guy Madjo Sexual assault. He was found guilty and was served with three-and-a-half years of imprisonment.
Graham Rix Allegedly had sex with an underaged girl of 15 years in 1999. As a result, he was handed one-year imprisonment and placed on the sex offender registry for ten years.

So yes, Val McDiarmid is right to be outraged.

Thank you for that Chewbacca. As iam64 says upthread football may be heading for it Me2 moment.

I totally support Val McDermid.

Thanks Chewbacca for putting the list together. Ryan Giggs is awaiting trial for domestic abuse, including coercive control. Paul Gascogne beat his wife, broke her finger on one occasion. I’m a long term supporter of MUFC and was relieved they acted promptly in suspending their player who has been ric on serious charges.
Val McDermid’s high profile will help put this in the media. It’s yet ani

Whoops, posted in error

This incident is yet another in showing the misogyny endemic in many, especially male dominated, areas.

I had a look at Goodwillie’s wiki page and see that despite his history of rape and violence he has had an unbroken football career. He has been playing for Clyde until now and his ability to score goals there seems to have overcome any concerns about his past. Thank goodness for Val McDermid and the others who say enough is enough. He has been fortunate to have continued with his career so far and I don’t wish him ill, but he needs to take this on the chin as the moral compass has now caught up with him.

It seems that the ghastly game comes before morals !!