RRFC takes the first step to recover
The events of the last 72 hours have been extremely difficult for all who hold Raith Rovers close to their heart. We welcome the fact that those in charge now recognise the magnitude of their mistake and that this player will no longer represent our club. It is the necessary first step in rebuilding trust and recovering from the significant damage caused to our football club.
If there is anything positive to be taken from the distressing events this week, it is the number of supporters and volunteers willing to stand up and be counted on this issue and the support expressed by fans of other clubs. The people who had the best interests of the club at heart throughout the last week have been fans. The Raith Supporters Trust would like to publicly thank everyone who took a stand and made their opposition clear. We believe that these individuals reflect the true values of our club.
It is important to remember that the headlines of the last three days will have caused significant pain to the victim involved in this case and many other victims of male sexual violence. Our thoughts go out to anyone who has suffered in this way. That our club inflicted this pain knowingly and has failed to apologise for it is unforgivable.
This highlights a fundamental weakness around the decision making process and ownership structure at our club. This is something that needs to be addressed urgently. We will be consulting with our members, other fan groups and the wider support about how best we address these concerns and restore our position as a genuine community club.
Hi
People who are capable of making decisions like this need to step back and resign.
It was a risk ,,,obviously and has detrimentally affected so many people.
we need to push back and go far in the correct direction.
Manager and 4 board members need to go,
Women on the board.
Education of staff at all levels.
Publicise the sites for help and support
Play games to fundraise
APOLOGISE properly
Everyone involved in this shocking decision needs to go! The 4 board members, the CEO and the management team, no exceptions. The damage financially will be in the hundreds of thousands! The damage to our reputation is immeasurable. They were warned not to go ahead with this when it was leaked that we were linked to him. During the pandemic the supporters raised about £100,000 for the club out their hard earned money with many unsure of their own future, more than twice that will probably end up in Goodwillie’s pocket without him kicking a ball (thankfully). We’ve lost sponsors, long time supporters our Ladies team and countless hard working volunteers who knows if any will return. The board didn’t have a change of heart they were forced into this by fan power! Let’s just hope if we can remove this toxic bunch people like Bill Clark, Andy Mill and even Val McDermid might consider helping us out this mess.
Alan Wright speaks for me.
Thanks to the Trust for this, “It is important to remember that the headlines of the last three days will have caused significant pain to the victim involved in this case and many other victims of male sexual violence. Our thoughts go out to anyone who has suffered in this way. That our club inflicted this pain knowingly and has failed to apologise for it is unforgivable.” I can assure you that it is appreciated.
Where do we go from here ? Personally I think all the supporters groups should join forces and try and build a war chest to try and remove at least some of the board members. Like many others I was contributing 100”s pounds during COVID via the donate a ticket and go fund me page and what did I want in return nothing as long as I could watch my team on a Saturday ! What thanks do we get nothing the BOD couldn’t even listen to the fans wishes in regards to the Goodwillie signing and further more ignored the fans own rep Andy Mill if anyone would know how the fans felt it would be Andy . Sad , under appreciated and embarrassed of my Clubs conduct
Not going to compose a long reply but just wanted to say my thoughts echo exactly with you all. Disgraceful period in our history.
In the immediate term, the club should be paying Women’s Aid or Rape Crisis Scotland to role out some much needed training and education.
Longer term, Michelle I think you’re right. It would be great to see supporters groups pull together to install a new BOD.
I’m a long time lapsed member of the Trust- but if there is room, I’d love to help make that happen in any way I can.