Raith Rovers women's captain and famous sponsor quit after Goodwillie signing

Scottish side Raith Rovers are facing an intense backlash after confirming the signing of David Goodwillie.

Goodwillie and fellow footballer David Robertson were both accused of rape in 2011. However, the pair never faced a criminal trial over the claim, with prosecutors saying there was not enough evidence.

In the first civil case of its kind in Scotland in 2017, a judge ruled the pair to be rapists and ordered them to pay £100,000 damages. In civil proceedings, the burden of proof is on the balance of probabilities as opposed to criminal proceedings where it has to be proved beyond reasonable doubt.

Now, his transfer to Raith has led to a huge backlash - with the captain of their women's side resigning in protest at the decision.

High-profile author Val McDermid is withdrawing her sponsorship of the Scottish Championship club, with Scotland's First Minister, Nicola Sturgeon, later backed the pair's decision, saying their stances were "principled".

The club's former chairman, Bill Clark, has also quit the board, reports The Courier.

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Tyler Rattray, captain of Raith Rovers' women's side, posted on Twitter on Tuesday morning to announce her exit from the club following the arrival of Goodwillie.

She posted: "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."

McDermid, a world famous author whose website has been the club's shirt sponsor since 2014, has now announced her withdrawal from support from the club.

She wrote: "I have this morning ended my lifelong support of @RaithRovers over their signing of the rapist David Goodwillie. I have cancelled next season's shirt sponsorship over this disgusting and despicable move. This shatters any claim to be a community or family club.

"Goodwillie has never expressed a shred of remorse for the rape he committed. His presence at Starks Park is a stain on the club. I'll be tearing up my season ticket too. This is a heartbreaker for me and many other fans, I know."

First Miniser Sturgeon later responded to the moves, posting in a tweet: "The stances that Val McDermid and women's team captain Tyler Rattray have taken are principled - though difficult for both of them.

"But the fact they're in this position at all reminds us that our society still has a way to go to make zero tolerance of sexual violence a reality."

Rape Crisis Scotland has also issued a statement condemning the transfer: "We are surprised and deeply disappointed that Raith Rovers FC are happy to send such a clear message of disregard to survivors of rape and sexual violence in signing David Goodwillie.

"Fundamentally - though it seems Raith FC do not agree - women's lives are more important than men's talent or careers. Footballers are role models - particularly for young people - and it's not okay to have someone in this position who has been found by a senior judge to be a rapist.

"We wonder whether those who took this decision thought for a second about how it may look or feel to survivors to have to watch someone judged to have committed rape be celebrated and applauded.

"This was a bad decision that sends entirely the wrong message, and it should be withdrawn."

Goodwillie, who has three senior Scotland caps, has signed a two-and-a-half year deal with Raith after arriving from League One side Clyde.

Raith manager John McGlynn said: "I have worked with David before and he has a proven track record as a goalscorer throughout his career at every level. We know from matches against Clyde in League 1 that he always carried a goal threat.

"Signing him, I believe, is crucial to the club's promotion push in our quest to reach the SPFL Premiership - it is a great signing for Raith Rovers as a club, as David is the top goal scorer in Scotland. Every striker at the club will benefit greatly from his experience in matches and training"

Raith Rovers have been contacted for comment by the Mirror.