Kingsmills

It's not true that there is no difference. 3rd place, rather than 4th, gives a home game in the second leg of the tie which could be a distinct advantage.

A senior Court of Session judge heard all of the evidence that would have been put before a criminal court, including defence evidence from Mr Goodwillie and his witnesses and found DW to be a dishonest and unreliable witness and came to the view that he had committed rape. Goodwillie appealed that decision and was unsuccessful in his appeal. David Goodwillie is a rapist. There is no legal barrier to him playing professional football but I would be horrified if my club had signed him. I have no idea what the majority of the Stark's Park board were thinking, or indeed the manager but they should at least have the decency now to drop any pretence of being a 'community club'.

A fair compromise is that he should never be allowed to work for a football club where we are trying to encourage an inclusive attituteand certainly not until he has shown any contrition or apology which, a decade on, he has failed to do. There are, of course, jobs he should be permitted to do but playing professional football is not one of them.

My first post on this site and I specifically registered to do so. I am not a Raith Rovers fan but a fan of a Championship club of a similar size. However, I am appalled that a club that professes to be a community club has sought fit to sign a player who has been judicially determined to be a rapist. What a terrible message that sends to all women who have been the victims of sexual assault or domestic abuse and what a terrible indictment on the attitude of the manager and board members who sanctioned this horrific move. Credit though to Val Mcdermid who has made the heart wrenching decision to sever the connection with the club she has supported all her life and her father before her, to the captain of the women's team and to the fan liaison officer who have all done the decent thing. Most have been women and it would be good if a few more prominent men spoke out, are you paying attention Gordon Brown? A club that I have always had a soft spot for voluntarily dragging itself into the gutter. Shame on all those responsible.