North Lanarkshire Council own Clyde’s ground – Broadwood Stadium
Clyde FC have been told by North Lanarkshire Council that David Goodwillie must not be allowed to appear at their home ground – the Broadwood Stadium.
The local council, who own the stadium, have begun a full review of their partnerships with the Scottish club following their decision to re-sign Goodwillie on loan from Raith Rovers.
Both Raith and Clyde have come under heavy criticism for their decisions to sign the 32-year-old, who was found by a judge in a 2017 civil case to have raped a woman.
Goodwillie and his former teammate David Robertson were ruled by the judge to have raped Denise Clair – who waived her right to anonymity – after a night out in West Lothian.
A statement from the Council said: “We have informed the club that David Goodwillie must not be permitted access to the stadium, for any purpose, with immediate effect.
“Should Mr Goodwillie enter the stadium, we will consider the contract to have been breached and we will take immediate steps to terminate it.
“In addition, we have informed Clyde FC that the council intends not to renew the lease with the club when the contract for the use of Broadwood Stadium expires in May, 2023.
The council can confirm that it has written to Clyde FC this afternoon and have exercised our rights under the terms of our contract with Clyde FC for their use of Broadwood Stadium.
Full statement here:https://t.co/W4HYQdrXTh pic.twitter.com/0td2uvdKw4
— NorthLanCouncil (@nlcpeople) March 3, 2022
“The council utterly condemns all and any violence towards, or abuse of, women. We offer a range of services to support women who experience abuse, through Rape Crisis Lanarkshire and Aura, and we would urge anyone in this position to make contact.
“The council believes in rehabilitation, and has services which provide this. However, Mr Goodwillie has not expressed any contrition in relation to the rape which the court found he had committed in the civil action against him.
“In re-signing Mr Goodwillie, Clyde FC has not acknowledged that background or community concerns, instead choosing to focus on enabling Mr Goodwillie to play football.
“We regret that this action is necessary. However, the council has a responsibility to the wider community to act, and to send a clear signal that abuse must not be tolerated.
“We also note that some people have questioned why the council is only taking action now given that Mr Goodwillie has played for Clyde for a number of years.
“For clarity, the stadium was previously under the control of North Lanarkshire Leisure Ltd which, while previously paid by the council for management of a range of services and facilities, is a separate legal entity. The council was unable to direct the company in relation to this matter. The stadium, and all the services of the company, have reverted to direct council control.”
The Clyde women’s team have also informed the club that they wish to breakaway and form their own side.
It comes after the Raith Rovers women’s team also broke away and renamed themselves as McDermid Ladies in recognition of author Val McDermid – who had been a long-time sponsor of the club before withdrawing her deal as a result of Goodwillie’s signature.
Related links:
- Clyde re-sign striker David Goodwillie on loan from Raith Rovers
- Sky Sports issue awkward apology after error in David Goodwillie report
- Raith Rovers women’s captain to step down over signing of David Goodwillie
