My whole life stopped when I was accused of rape, says David Goodwillie

Goodwillie told of his “total and utter hell” following claims he raped a woman at a party in January.

In his first full and frank interview, the Blackburn Rovers star also branded the accusation “complete nonsense” and paid tribute to his family and friends who stood by him.

The Scotland internationalist was alleged to have attacked the 24-year-old at a house party in Armadale, West Lothian, on 2 January.

The rape charge was dropped in July after the Crown Office said there was “insufficient evidence in law” for the case to proceed.

But, Goodwillie said, prior to his name being cleared, he endured months of turmoil, fearing he could be become a convicted sex offender.

The 22-year-old added: “It had been total and utter hell, the worst moments of my life. It was a dark time.

“When I think back to January, everything was looking good, and then my life stopped after the accusation was made.

“It’s the end of the world when something like that happens to you. It was the lowest time of my life, and what followed was an inquiry which took an eternity, but which cleared me of any wrongdoing.”

Former Dundee United striker Goodwillie said his family “believed in him completely” as he struggled to cope with the torment.

“I had great support from them all,” he added. “We have always been close and this has brought us even closer.

“I have a sister and, as a brother, I obviously worry. I know people out there will say there’s no smoke without fire.

“The whole thing was a complete nonsense from start to finish. I did nothing wrong.”

He went on: “I had terrible dark times too and was aware that if this went the wrong way I would be in serious trouble.

“I could have been in a jail cell for several years. My life, my reputation, my career would all have been lost.

“When you are in that kind of a dark place, you think your world is at an end. This is not the kind of experience you would wish upon your worst enemy.”

Goodwillie recalled how he also toiled on the park – at a time when he was being linked with a big-money move to the SPL champions, Rangers.

He admitted: “It did affect my form massively, but the Dundee United manager, Peter Houston, stood by me no matter how badly I played and after a couple of months I got back on form.

“Football was my release, my saviour, really. It was one way I was able to escape.

“I was taunted by opposition fans – and I heard some of the chants against me.

“I just had a long chat with family – my mum, dad and sister – and they told me the only way to answer was by scoring goals and playing well,” Goodwillie went on. “I just got out there did my best.

“I have also had the great support of the Professional Football Association Scotland and my legal team. They displayed enormous faith in me and never doubted my word.

“The evidence confirmed what I said happened.”

The woman who accused him recently won an £11,000 pay-out, after the Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority (CICA) ruled she had been attacked.

Goodwillie said reports of the award by the CICA had brought the allegation back into the spotlight – and that was why he wanted to speak out.

The striker added: “I wanted to maintain a dignified silence, but this has been a nightmare for me and my family.

“I feel as if I have been tried in public and the media. I would like to now put the record straight.

“I know what happened that night, and I know that I did absolutely nothing wrong.”