A Glasgow football team faces losing its ground if they sign David Goodwillie.

The 34-year-old striker, who was ruled by a judge at a civil court case in 2017 to have raped a woman, played for ninth-tier side Glasgow United FC in a friendly match last week.

We previously reported that while it was not confirmed if the club had offered Goodwillie a contract, they did say he "deserves a chance".

Now Glasgow City Council has warned Glasgow United FC that they could sever ties and kick them out of their ground if they decide to sign him.

The club currently plays at council-owned Greenfield Park in the city's Shettleston area.

 

Susan Aitken, Glasgow City Council leader, 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.

“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 and fellow footballer David Robertson were deemed by a judge at a civil court to have raped a 30-year-old woman at a property in Armadale, West Lothian, after a night out in nearby Bathgate in January 2011.

Criminal charges against Goodwillie were dropped in 2011 due to a lack of evidence.

He left Plymouth “by mutual consent” days after the civil court ruling and in March 2017, he signed for Clyde.

There was widespread outrage when Scottish side Raith Rovers signed Goodwillie from Clyde in February 2022 and he was released from his contract without playing a match.

He was then signed by Northern Premier League side Radcliffe but an angry public response saw a change of heart from the English club.

In June, Australian second-tier side FC Sorrento backtracked on signing Goodwillie in the wake of a public backlash.

Rape Crisis Scotland can be contacted any day by emailing support@rapecrisisscotland.org.uk or calling 08088 01 03 02 any day between 5pm and midnight.