Raith Rovers have defended the signing of David Goodwillie after an angry backlash to the striker's deadline day arrival.
A number of club figures have quit in protest and fans left furious at the decision to recruit the 32-year-old, who was branded a rapist by a judge in a civil court in 2017.
Goodwillie and fellow footballer David Robertson were ordered to pay Denise Clair £100,000 in the civil action after a criminal case was dropped.
Since his arrival from Clyde on Monday night was announced, crime writer and Rovers sponsor Val McDermid announced she would no longer back the club and declared intention to withdraw financial support from next season.
McDermid was followed by Rovers women's captain Tyler Rattray, supporter liaison officer Margie Robertson, supporter director Andrew Mill and stadium announcer Johnny MacDonald as they all quit on Tuesday.
But the Championship side, insisting they "acknowledge the gravity of what happened", are standing by Goodwillie, who has maintained his innocence since being accused in 2011.
A club statement said: "As announced on our website last night, Raith Rovers FC can confirm that we have signed David Goodwillie from Clyde FC.
"David is a proven goal scorer, and this will be his second stint with the club, having previously played for us on loan from Dundee United during season 2007-08.
"As with all new signings, the club has carefully considered our position as a Community Club and we completely respect the differing views among fans and stakeholders, many of whom we have spoken to directly in the past 24 hours and are continuing to engage with.
"As David has previously played for Raith Rovers earlier in his career, we consider him to be part of the Raith Rovers Football Club. The management team is familiar with David’s career and background and – in particular – his footballing ability. That is our foremost consideration, and we believe that he will strengthen the Raith Rovers playing squad.
"Please be assured that as a community football club we fully acknowledge this signing has divided opinion amongst our loyal fans and commercial stakeholders; we aim to rebuild that trust.
"While acknowledging the gravity of what happened ten years ago, as a club we fully support and encourage rehabilitation, and many factors influenced our signing. But first and foremost, this was a football related decision."
Raith return to league action at home to Queen of the South on Tuesday night.
