Goodwillie was ruled to be a rapist in a civil court case in 2017, although no criminal proceedings were instructed.

In a statement, the club said: "We got it wrong.

"In reaching our original decision, we focused far too much on football matters and not enough on what this decision would mean for our club and the community as a whole.

"Over the past couple of days, we listened carefully to the fans who have got in touch and I'm very grateful for their honesty. As chairman, as a board and as a management team, we have all learned a hard but valuable lesson."

The board added that this "very unfortunate episode is something that we all bitterly regret" and we are "now wholly committed to making things right".

The move comes after fans vented their anger at the club over the move, with high profile supporter Val McDermid, a Scottish crime writer, announcing she no longer supported the side and was "tearing up her season ticket".

The author was the Raith Rovers shirt sponsor in 2014, and in 2010 the North Stand at Starks Park was renamed the McDermid Stand in honour of her father, who was a scout for the Kirkcaldy club.

McDermid said Goodwillie had "never expressed a shred of remorse for the rape he committed" and the move to sign him was a "stain on the club".

It came as Raith Women's captain Tyler Rattray announced she would be leaving the side due to the signing of the Scottish striker.

Writing on Twitter, she said: "After 10 long years playing for Raith, it's gutting I have given up now because they have signed someone like this and I want nothing to do with it! It was good being captain of Raith while it lasted."

Raith Rovers' supporters' liaison officer, Margie Robertson, also resigned.