Former Raith Rovers chairman Bill Clark has stepped down from the Stark’s Park board after condemning the signing of David Goodwillie.
Clark was a Rovers director for four years, initially serving as company secretary.
He ascended to the chairmanship in 2018 and spent two years in the role before stepping down and taking a brief hiatus.
Clark returned to the Rovers as a director in October 2020 and has recently been spearheading youth development and community growth.
And he is adamant his position is now untenable after his objections to the capture of Goodwillie were overruled.
It is understood Clark and fellow director Andrew Mill — who has also resigned — were against the transfer, but were outvoted by four to two.
Clark told Courier Sport: “As the director of youth development and community development, for me to speak to young people and encourage them to be a part of this club — especially girls and women — is not credible, now.
“I cannot possibly continue doing that role after this decision and certainly could not support the signing of David Goodwillie.”
Goodwillie was branded a rapist during a 2017 civil court case and was ordered to pay Denise Clair £100,000.
A judge ruled that he and fellow player David Robertson had raped her, after the case had been dropped by a criminal court.
“I understand the notion of second chances, and it’s nothing personal against him,” added Clark.
“But he has never shown any remorse for his actions and this is a situation Raith Rovers should never have got into.”
Backlash
The stances that @valmcdermid and women’s team captain @Tyler_RattrayX 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 https://t.co/a10yHafoOo
— Nicola Sturgeon (@NicolaSturgeon) February 1, 2022
Goodwillie’s signing has been met with widespread criticism, including from the First Minister, Nicola Sturgeon.
The club’s principal sponsor, Val McDermid, has stated that she will pull her funding from the start of next season.
The famous author’s name adorns Rovers’ home shirt and the South Stand at Stark’s Park.
Raith Rovers Women and Girls captain Tyler Rattray has also announced she will no longer represent the club.
