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Clyde FC; Season 2022-23


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You do feel a bit for Clyde, it's not like there's any precedent of all the misery that can befall your club if you choose to sign a rapist

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3 minutes ago, Aufc said:

Shambles all round. I’m genuinely interested with this. Why did it not go to criminal court?

The conviction rates for sexual crimes is horrifically low. Very few of them make it to court, even less of them result in conviction.

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2 minutes ago, Aufc said:


Not really down with the legal detail but bizarre that he can be found guilty in one court but not the other.

Not really as he did not stand trial in a criminal court.

In criminal case it has to be proven beyond all reasonable doubt. In a civil case I think it is just the balance of probabilities.

Edited by FuzzyBear
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The why-not-five-years ago argument is a red herring. That's not to say it's not a reasonable question in and of itself, but the circumstance now is different to the one five years back - or even five weeks back. Like someone said above, landscapes change, and that means behaviour has to be viewed in the context of that landscape. So sign him right at this moment in time, in the teeth of the publicity, is a quite deliberate choice and statement and a deliberate f**k you to victims of sexual violence over and above the prior history.

With apologies to the Clyde fans on here - at least, the ones who matter - I'm afraid my first reaction to this news was, get in. But in fairness to me I'm equally indifferent to the fate of Raith, who I've been following to some extent for forty years. The fate and wellbeing of my football club is not more important to me than the state of society.

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9 minutes ago, Aufc said:

Not really down with the legal detail but bizarre that he can be found guilty in one court but not the other.

https://www.hoddergibson.co.uk/media/Gibson-Documents/Updates-and-Extras/Introductory-Scots-Law/Chapter-1/QR-1-9.pdf

Quote

In a civil trial, the pursuer must prove his/her case on the balance of probabilities, whereas in criminal trials the prosecution must prove beyond reasonable doubt that the accused has committed the crimes in question. The criminal standard of proof is therefore a more rigorous standard of evidence

Whilst some might argue this essentially means it's "easier" to prove someone's guilt in a civil trial one should remember that the judge in the civil course found Clair's evidence to be "cogent, persuasive and compelling" whilst evidence from Goodwillie and Robertson was described as "inconsistent" and "not impressive". Supporting evidence experts for Clair were also considered credible as well. All in all Clair and her argument were far more compelling and trustworthy than Goodwillie and Robertson.
 

Edited by RiG
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36 minutes ago, Bully Wee Villa said:

The only way out now is for Clyde to make a Raith-style apology Tweet confirming that DGW will neither train with nor play for the club. Even avoiding the moral argument, because the club don't seem to have any, trying to beg, steal and borrow stadiums for the rest of his stay is financial suicide.

Take your medicine, Clyde. You fucked up, the bare minimum you can do is apologise and not pick him again.

If Clyde want to take the Raith approach they will need to release a double-down statement regarding Goodwillie’s qualities as a goal scorer first

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Whilst some might argue this essentially means it's "easier" to prove someone's guilt in a civil trial one should remember that the judge in the civil course found Clair to be a very credible witness whilst Goodwillie and Robertson weren't. Indeed, Robertson's evidence was described as being "internally inconsistent". Supporting evidence experts for Clair were also considered credible as well. All in all, civil case or not, Clair and her argument were far more compelling and trustworthy than Goodwillie and Robertson.

 

To be honest, reading the female bouncers statement was pretty chilling. Was Robertson convicted with the same?

I do wonder whether, if he had came out and apologised, would that have made a difference to most people? Would people be happy with him playing football if he came out and apologised for that night?
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Just now, Aufc said:



I do wonder whether, if he had came out and apologised, would that have made a difference to most people? Would people be happy with him playing football if he came out and apologised for that night?

Are you dense? "I'm sorry I raped someone" probably wouldn't cut it for me.

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2 minutes ago, ribzanelli said:

If Clyde want to take the Raith approach they will need to release a double-down statement regarding Goodwillie’s qualities as a goal scorer first

I would not be even the slightest bit surprised.

They need to apologise and confirm that he won't play for the club again very quickly. Then announce that they intend to stand down when someone is willing to take the club on.

I suspect... they'll do none of that. They'll double down and pick him on Saturday and make lots of noises about "exploring opportunities" to play elsewhere. Then end up homeless and bankrupt. 

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Are you dense? "I'm sorry I raped someone" probably wouldn't cut it for me.

That’s what I’m saying. Loads of people are saying that he has shown no remorse etc. However, how can he apologise for raping someone? It wouldn’t make any difference.
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I would not be even the slightest bit surprised.
They need to apologise and confirm that he won't play for the club again very quickly. Then announce that they intend to stand down when someone is willing to take the club on.
I suspect... they'll do none of that. They'll double down and pick him on Saturday and make lots of noises about "exploring opportunities" to play elsewhere. Then end up homeless and bankrupt. 

I don’t think anyone would be that stupid… surely
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19 minutes ago, Yoss said:

The why-not-five-years ago argument is a red herring. That's not to say it's not a reasonable question in and of itself, but the circumstance now is different to the one five years back - or even five weeks back. Like someone said above, landscapes change, and that means behaviour has to be viewed in the context of that landscape. So sign him right at this moment in time, in the teeth of the publicity, is a quite deliberate choice and statement and a deliberate f**k you to victims of sexual violence over and above the prior history.

With apologies to the Clyde fans on here - at least, the ones who matter - I'm afraid my first reaction to this news was, get in. But in fairness to me I'm equally indifferent to the fate of Raith, who I've been following to some extent for forty years. The fate and wellbeing of my football club is not more important to me than the state of society.

Exactly this, couldn't have put it better myself. Embarrassing from Clyde FC. 

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IIRC the CPS didn't believe that the case would be successful.

ETA: From this article the CPS said there was insufficient evidence to bring the case to court and days later charges were dropped.

https://www.thecourier.co.uk/fp/news/courts/2867958/goodwillie-civil-rapist/

Denise Clair in her recent interview with the Sunday Post mentioned the dropping of the charges and how that left her feeling:

https://www.sundaypost.com/fp/david-goodwillie-criminal-case/

CPS is down south, PF for Scotland.


Not really down with the legal detail but bizarre that he can be found guilty in one court but not the other.

The difference is essentially probability vs beyond all reasonable doubt. Given the context/circumstances, it would have been extremely difficult to prove in a criminal court. Knowing the details, however, it is surprising that the PF didn’t even entertain it.
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  • the_bully_wee changed the title to Clyde FC; Season 2022-23

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