Glasgow United refuse to back down over their support for David Goodwillie and brand criticism a ‘witch-hunt’ after taking the disgraced footballer on trial – despite the player being found to have raped a woman in a civil case in 2017
- Glasgow United rejected criticism of player David Goodwillie, 34, as ‘witch hunt’
- It comes after Glasgow City Council threatened to ban club from using ground
A football club has defended its support for rapist player David Goodwillie and branded continued criticism of him a ‘witch-hunt’.
Glasgow United, who play in the 9th-tier West of Scotland Third Division, said they would stand by Goodwillie despite facing a backlash.
The 34-year-old former Scotland international was found in a civil case at the Court of Session in 2017 to have raped a woman.
Last week he turned out as a triallist for Glasgow United in a friendly against West of Scotland Premier Division side Pollok.
It prompted Susan Aitken – leader of SNP-led Glasgow City Council – to threaten to ban the club from using the Greenfield Football Centre in Shettleston if Goodwillie joins them.
Glasgow United, who play in the 9th-tier West of Scotland Third Division, said they would stand by David Goodwillie, 34, despite facing a backlash
READ MORE: Glasgow United could lose their home ground if they pursue an interest in disgraced footballer David Goodwillie – who was found to have raped a woman in a civil case in 2017
Ms Aitken had said that despite being found by a civil court judge to be a rapist, Goodwillie ‘has never once shown any kind of contrition or remorse’.
However, in a terse rebuttal, Glasgow United highlighted the fact Goodwillie has never faced criminal charges in relation to the allegation. They also hit out at attempts to use him as a ‘political football’.
In a statement, a club spokesman said: ‘David Goodwillie…has no criminal record and has never appeared on any offenders’ register. How can he show contrition or remorse for something he staunchly claims he did not do?
‘Contrary to what’s been stated, Glasgow United FC do not run or manage Greenfield Football Centre.
‘We use the facility for training purposes only, like many other clubs, and we pay, like every other club, for the use of the facilities.
‘We play home matches at our own ground nearby, like we have for the past 120 years.
Glasgow City Council leader Susan Aitken commented on the reports that Goodwillie featured for Glasgow United in a friendly as a trialist last week
Goodwillie (centre – in yellow) previously played for Blackburn Rovers in the Premier League
‘We do a lot of work in our community helping those in need and this is only an extension of that work.
‘We could easily walk away from this like every other club before us but we won’t. We are supporting David with his mental health and will continue to do so.
‘This witch-hunt has gone on for far too long and the use of any person’s life as a political football is unacceptable.’
Goodwillie – who continues to protest his innocence – and his former Dundee United team-mate David Robertson have never faced a criminal trial in relation to the allegation after prosecutors said there was not enough evidence.
However, the Court of Session ruled they had raped Denise Clair, who waived her right to anonymity, and ordered them to pay her £100,000 damages.
Robertson has retired from football, while Goodwillie left English side Plymouth Argyle by ‘mutual agreement’.
Goodwillie then spent almost five years at Clyde. However, he has been unable to find a club long-term since leaving Clyde for Raith Rovers in 2022.
Following a backlash, he was released from Dunfermline Athletic. A move to an Australian club also fell through.
Last week, a Glasgow United spokesman told the BBC: ‘All he wants is to be left in peace and be allowed to play the game he loves.’
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