Glasgow United could lose stadium if they sign David Goodwillie
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, council leader warns
- Back in 2017, David Goodwillie was found in a civil case to have raped a woman
- The ex-Scotland international reportedly played for Glasgow United as a trialist
- The city’s council has threatened to ban them from their home ground as a result
A ninth-tier Scottish club could lose its home ground if it pursues an interest in disgraced striker David Goodwillie.
The 34-year-old former Scotland international was found in a civil case at the Court of Session in Edinburgh in 2017 to have raped a woman.
Goodwillie reportedly played as a trialist for West of Scotland Football League Glasgow United in a friendly last week, and the city council is now threatening to ban the club from the Greenfield Football Centre in Shettleston if he joins them.
In a statement on Glasgow City Council’s official Twitter account, leader Susan Aitken said: ‘David Goodwillie has been found, in court, to be a rapist. However, in more than 12 years, he has never once shown any kind of contrition or remorse.
‘Any club that signs him is making a very clear statement about its attitude to the safety of women and girls – both in sport and in its community.
Glasgow United may lose its ground if it pursues an interest in the disgraced David Goodwillie
Goodwillie – who plays as a striker – was found in a civil case to have raped a woman in 2017
‘It would be an outrageous decision, wholly at odds with how community facilities like Greenfield should be run.
‘I’ve asked officers to look at the council’s agreement with Glasgow United and made it clear that I’m ready for the city to walk away.’
Goodwillie – who continues to protest his innocence – and his former Dundee United team-mate, David Robertson, were judged to have raped Denise Clair.
The two men, who have never faced criminal charges in relation to the allegation, were ordered to pay damages of £100,000 to Ms Clair, who waived her right to anonymity.
Goodwillie left Plymouth by mutual consent in the wake of the court ruling and spent almost five years at Clyde despite criticism of the club’s decision to offer him employment.
However, subsequent moves to Raith Rovers, Northern Premier League Radcliffe and Australian outfit FC Sorrento collapsed amid fierce criticism.
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
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