Val Mcdermid

[Meceme]

Val Mcdermid has been a life long supporter and major sponsor of Raith Rovers football club. Today she severed her connection and withdrew support in protest at the club signing a player previously found guilty of rape in a civil case. The police had previously not prosecuted as they felt there was not enough evidence.

Sorry I dont know how to do links but the story is easily searchable.

Standing up against violence against women.

[nettie434]

Whatever Nicola Sturgeon's motives, the real shock for me was that on the day that another footballer was in custody being interviewed about sexual assault, Raith Rovers thought it would be ok to announce the signing of someone who had been found guilty of rape in a civil hearing.

I hadn't realised that he had been playing for Clyde. I think there does need to be some decision about what to do about players convicted of sexual offences once their sentences have been served. They are in a position in which young boys and girls look up to them. To me, that makes football or other professions like TV presenting different.

Incidentally, somebody asked upthread if Gordon Brown had made any comments. Just in case they've not seen it, he has indeed criticised the club.

[tigger1001]

@IKeptYouLikeAnOath

Lord.

She's responding to the public groundswell of opinion. I'm sure she agrees and it has the added benefit of being almost universally popular to disapprove of RR and DG this week.

If she had instigated hostilities against a private citizen last week, with no provoking incident, don't you think that would be a serious overstepping of boundaries? But she is allowed an opinion on important current events in the country - in fact, should definitely have one.

I do think it's an overstepping of her boundaries.

If it was someone else of a different political persuasion pulling financial support in a football club would she have got involved? I strongly suspect that answer would be no.

[IKeptYouLikeAnOath]

Lord.

She's responding to the public groundswell of opinion. I'm sure she agrees and it has the added benefit of being almost universally popular to disapprove of RR and DG this week.

If she had instigated hostilities against a private citizen last week, with no provoking incident, don't you think that would be a serious overstepping of boundaries? But she is allowed an opinion on important current events in the country - in fact, should definitely have one.

[tigger1001]

@IKeptYouLikeAnOath

Are you suggesting that the political leader of a nation, apropos of absolutely no public opinion or outcry, should have spent time last week casting about looking for rapists to to hound out of a job?

That's very fucking weird. I get that most people on Scotsnet really hate NS, and I don't hold much regard for her, but that's just nonsense.

So what changed this week? Given there have been rumours for weeks of him moving, surely getting involved - if in fact that's her place to do so, should have been done before he signed? Why wait until he signed?

Is she saying that he shouldn't work? Is she looking to introduce laws to stop rapists taking high profile jobs? What, as first minister, is she looking to achieve here?

[IKeptYouLikeAnOath]

Are you suggesting that the political leader of a nation, apropos of absolutely no public opinion or outcry, should have spent time last week casting about looking for rapists to to hound out of a job?

That's very fucking weird. I get that most people on Scotsnet really hate NS, and I don't hold much regard for her, but that's just nonsense.

[tigger1001]

@IKeptYouLikeAnOath

I don't disagree, it is about how it looks, but it should look like a leader cares about women!

The 'she never cared last week' thing is just pointlessly being repeated now. How upset were any of us about him this time last week?

We aren't using the situation to make political hay though.

She didn't care he was playing last week, yet cares enough this week. Why? She was the leader of the government last week too. It's all just spin.

[IKeptYouLikeAnOath]

I don't disagree, it is about how it looks, but it should look like a leader cares about women!

The 'she never cared last week' thing is just pointlessly being repeated now. How upset were any of us about him this time last week?

[Weclome]

How must the Clyde Women's Team feel.
The FM was not rushing to support them last weekend and he was still a signed Clyde player then.
The only difference between the 2 clubs is her friendship with Val McDermit.

[tigger1001]

@IKeptYouLikeAnOath

I agree about the other areas of women's rights, but I wouldn't want those to preclude people from having or showing any amount of support for women. It's not all or nothing.

Nobody was really on board when he was at Clyde. Times have changed. What we expect from leaders and people in power has changed. This is a response to those changing times.

I think you are more forgiving than me.

I am cynical of her motives, I can admit that. It very much looks like coming out in support of her pal. Especially when generally womens rights don't seem to bother her. It's really hard to see it as anything other than a stunt.

[IKeptYouLikeAnOath]

I agree about the other areas of women's rights, but I wouldn't want those to preclude people from having or showing any amount of support for women. It's not all or nothing.

Nobody was really on board when he was at Clyde. Times have changed. What we expect from leaders and people in power has changed. This is a response to those changing times.

[tigger1001]

@IKeptYouLikeAnOath

I think that's looking through a very cynical lens. Why would you not want politicians to visibly show up as pro-women and anti-rapist?

Well I would if they weren't anti women in other areas. It's just for the optics.

And the reality is it isn't political. He is entitled to work. Just, for me, not as a role model to young boys.

Would she have got involved if it was a labour supporter calling out the board? Did she get involved with him playing at Clyde?

[IKeptYouLikeAnOath]

I think that's looking through a very cynical lens. Why would you not want politicians to visibly show up as pro-women and anti-rapist?

[tigger1001]

@IKeptYouLikeAnOath

Maybe they were just quickly choosing a name and let's face it, she's their bankroll.

I'm fine with a political leader visibly supporting female football, given how offensive male football keeps revealing itself to be.

I know the two women are linked but...so what?

For me, given the issues surrounding womens rights, it completely smacks of making political hay. And that doesn't sit well with me. This isn't a political issue as such far more a moral one and I don't think any politician comes off well there.

[IKeptYouLikeAnOath]

Maybe they were just quickly choosing a name and let's face it, she's their bankroll.

I'm fine with a political leader visibly supporting female football, given how offensive male football keeps revealing itself to be.

I know the two women are linked but...so what?

[Weclome]

I'm not sure I like the new ladies teams being called McDermid Ladies. It all sounds like it's becoming a bit political now.
Apparently Nicola is going to watch their game on Sunday too.

[latetothefisting]

@IKeptYouLikeAnOath

I think it's yet another illustration of just how completely women are not part of the thinking of groups of men.

although in this case, the Chief Exec is a woman!

Although I agree with PP that we can never be too confident, and the fact that this was ever considered at all is a disgrace, I do feel encouraged by the fact so many men, as well as women, resigned/publicly expressed their disgust at the situation - and also that it was the retraction of a female sponsor that finally made them realise their error. Makes a difference from when men have all the money which override women with all the feelings.

Although it's as good an outcome as is possible at this stage, it is outrageous that Goodwillie will likely still get paid a ridiculous amount by the club.

[Weclome]

@meditrina, they may not have to cheer him on but unfortunately they will still be paying his wages for a long time to come.
Even with the pathetic apology today the financial ramifications of this bring the downfall of RR,
Some supporters may be happy to go back and forgive and forget but I don't know if sponsors will be as quick to have their name associated the club

[meditrina]

I hope they are looking tomsee his they canpme to make such a bad mistake, and will learn from it.

I hope it is an object lesson to other clubs

I hope it tells younger players that it is wrong to be a creep, and that being one has serious consequences.

Even though there will be contractual obligations (such as pay) to be sorted out, it means that he won't be playing or training, so women can feel safer on the premises and families can take their DC to spectate, knowing they won't be cheering a rapist.

It wouid of course have been better if the situation had never arisen. But as it did, thus is a good solution

[IKeptYouLikeAnOath]

Yes, families wages will still be going to Goodwillie via ticket prices. That's the corner they've backed themselves in to. They can fuck off with their mealy mouthed false apologies.

[tigger1001]

I agree @GroggyLegs

He's still, currently, a player with the club who now is likely to be given all his contractual wages etc but not play. The boards decision is not only abhorrent in the first place, has cost them sponsorship (no guarantee they will go back to the club) and cost the club financially.

Don't see how any member of the board who agreed to this signing can stay.

Their reputation as a family/community based club is in tatters

[Weclome]

@GroggyLegs I totally agree.
I've already seen friends saying all is ok they've apologised, we'll be back on Saturday,
These are the same folk, quite rightly, saying that Goodwillie should never been forgiven. To me it's a matter of morals and for the board to think it was ok to sign him shows me their morals are just as questionable.

[GroggyLegs]

www.raithrovers.net/52477/chairman-update-david-goodwillie.htm

At the risk of 'never being happy' that statement is SO weird.

It takes the time to assure us they will discuss the contractual position with the player (who GAF?) but at no point acknowledges anything about understanding who was so fucked off (women) and acknowledging why we felt that way (because rape is abhorrent and unforgivable).

They literally state they just want to do what's the best for the club, which is what got them in this mess in the first place. It's only about the football.

No doubt I'll be told "But they apologised, what more do you want".

[IKeptYouLikeAnOath]

Yes, agree her stance on biological reality is in question, but she would still be a step forward from the board that's in place as of now.

[RavenclawDiadem]

She might be standing up for women here, but she’s also best mates with and a just supporter of Nicola Sturgeon who has passed legislation making it a crime to think that trans women are male.

[ArthursSeat]

I really can't see how they can repair the damage of the statement they put out on Tuesday evening