Hippo - January 20201

KILLIE HIPPO AN UNOFFICIAL KILLIE FANZINE JANUARY 2021

MR KILMARNOCK

 RELEGATION BATTLE?  NEW YEAR OLD KILLIE…  THE MYTH OF EAMMON BROPHY

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SHOOTING FROM THE HIPPO Firstly let me apologise for being a wee bit late again but I’ve been hiding in the undergrowth at Turnberry for a few weeks trying to get some cheap publicity for the Hippo if dafty jetted into Scotland. Sadly that never happened so we’ll just have to make do with putting cheap jibes and childish gags up on twitter and Facebook.

What a great photo of Davie Sneddon on the front cover and there have been some truly great tributes to “Mr Kilmarnock”. Davie worked in just about every role within Kilmarnock over many decades and his legacy will love forever more. I had the pleasure to have known Davie for many years and he was a true gentleman in every sense of the word with not a bad word to say about anyone.

I’m sure Rena, Kate, David (jnr) and all the family will take great comfort from the outpouring of love from the Killie fans and football world as a whole…..he will be very sadly missed.

Before we delve into the ever changing world of Kilmarnock Fc I’d like to publicly apologise to my big pal Colin McDonald (Home Maintenance) who ahs been a kind sponsor of the Hippo for several years. You’d think after all these years I could work my laptop but I’m beyond hopeless and managed to miss out Colin’s advert in the last issue. Sorry again big fella and I hope all Killie fans give you a bell for all their maintenance needs.

The fanzine is full of fan’s articles mainly not happy about various aspects of the club so it was no surprise when we finally parted yesterday with Alex dyer. A nicer guy you wouldn’t meet but good guys don’t often make good managers and it was a parting that should probably have happened a month or more back. AD will always be remembered for his fantastic contribution during the SSC years and in hindsight I really don’t think he should have taken the step up to management.

We really do thank AD for all his time at Rugby Park, wish him all the best for his future and I’m sure he will be more than welcome back anytime once the turnstiles are back open.

So who next??? Money is tight and we are in a relegation battle so I fancy a safe pair of hands is required more so than a complete rookie. The media are talking about guys like Stephen Robinson and Tommy Wright and I’ve no doubt they are in the running especially as they are currently out of work and wouldn’t cost us any compensation. Timing has been poor as whatever guy comes in will have no transfer window to use……his first remit will simply be to keep us up.

I wouldn’t be surprised to see a “Killie man” either as an assistant or just as part of the coaching team. Burkey has been great for the club and I’d love to see him kept on once his playing days are over. Thanks again for all the fan articles and please let me know your thoughts on the manager situation.

Sandy

KEEP THE BLUE FLAG FLYING HIGH (writes Ally Niven) As the song goes 'We keep the blue flag flying high?' However these days it feels like it's at half mast at best. The song to me is all about passion, passion we have for the club, the team & likewise the passion the team has for itself. But with Eamonn Brophy's impending move to St. Mirren & only 4 players under contract for season 21/22, it feels like that passion has turned to apathy.

Once glance on social media these days & you would think we were back in the doom & gloom of the 80s. It's almost as if we're on the bus on the way back from the Inverness Thistle defeat in 1985. Whereas if we sat back & looked at the situation we're a million miles away from that. I would argue that the last 30 years at the club have easily been some of the best (outside the 60s) we've gained promotion & stayed up, won 2 cups & been in 2 other cup finals.

Yes there's been tough times & scares, mainly in the latter days of MJ. But anytime I log onto Twitter, I feel like I'm being dragged back there. A lot of this maybe, because we cannot get into Rugby Park right now & can only interact with the club on social media or through Killie TV. The fact we're all separated on Saturday afternoon & not following our old routines could be an easy answer as to why our passion for the club is being diluted & anger is replacing it. The wall of silence that is being put up from the club is not doing anything to quell this anger or reignite our passion. Even a defence of the club by the trust did nothing but cause derision & divide opinions, so when sections of fans don't fully back the intentions of The Killie Trust, it shows how far we have fallen.

How do we get the passion back? To me it starts with individual fans, look inside yourself, remember why you followed Killie. It's not only for the SSC era, its for those great away days where you steal victory, those goals by cult hero's & ultimately supporting our local team, our community. Showing that there is only 1 team in Ayrshire.

KTID isn't just a hashtag. Lets get back to its true meaning & find our passion for the club & support them with all we can for the rest of this season & beyond. Lets get that blue flag flying high once more...

THE MYTH OF EAMMON BROPHY (writes David Cavani) In the story of the building of Rome there lies a mythical she-wolf that raises the twin brothers of Romulus and Remus after they are abandoned to the wild. This Killie squad is in need of reconstruction, their godly father figure has left but our own wolf is nothing but a fable.

As I write this, Eamonn Brophy has agreed a three-year deal with St Mirren and looks to have doubled his wages in an era where such contracts are hard to come by. There is no doubt that Brophy is cashing out while his stock remains high enough to justify such an outlay. It has been a disappointing season for Brophy, not least when the gyms and tattoo parlours closed.

If footballers were based on physique and not finesse then Alan Russell would have scored that penalty at Somerset but our own Johnny Bravo can at least count on his ability from the penalty spot. Brophy was a focal point during the Stevie Clarke years but it is becoming more apparent that this lay more in the mercurial talents of Greg Stewart than anything Eamonn brought to the table. Famously Alexei Eremenko was credited with saving Connor Sammon’s career and Brophy will soon owe a similar debt to Stewart.

Brophy has 35 goals in 115 appearances at the time of writing. 10 of these have been penalties. He has 4 goals this season and only 15 in the last two seasons combined. These are the stats of a bottom six striker and if Killie have ambitions to move up the league then we need to broaden our horizons rather than doubling down on Eamonn.

To make a striker who doesn’t score enough, can’t play up front on his own and has a questionable work rate our highest earner would have been worse than letting him go.

There is rightly frustration amongst the support that Jordan Jones, Stephen O’Donnell and now Brophy have left for free but few remember we signed these players on the same basis. They have now outgrown us in terms of their wage demands but it can’t be a coincidence that they share the same StormSportX agency.

Brophy’s career trajectory now reads Hamilton, Kilmarnock and St Mirren joining Lee Hodson on this particular path but at least Hodson has scored in 2021. Brophy will look back on his career and at least be able to remember his Scotland cap against Cyprus, a performance that would have embarrassed Ali Dia. This will appear to be a harsh account of Brophy’s career at Killie. He will be remembered fondly for his exploits v Rangers, partnership with Stewart and call up to the Scotland squad under Clarke’s tutelage. Known for his ‘Lone wolf’ trophy on the TV programme ‘A View from the Terrace,’ I fear his legacy will be as a cult hero rather than realise the potential he once possessed.

If I could offer St Mirren one piece of advice it would be to ensure their training biodome before the first shooting session. Romulus killed Remus in the end in order to flourish and create modern day Rome, I only hope Brophy doesn’t leave in January as a late penalty to send us down is already foretold. >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Hippo says – Thanks to David for his article and as we all know the wolf is now away to Paisley for the rest of the season as well. Those looking from afar were surprised that he had gone to St Mirren but in reality he has done next to nothing for Killie all season.I think Brophy was a scorer of great (or important) goals rather than a great goalscorer and although it’s early days at his new club the Buddies appear a little underwhelmed at what they have seen so far. Of course he is only on loan at present so I wonder what would happen if our new manager wanted him back for the rest of the season. In all honesty that won’t happen or the new boss would be seen as howling!!!

NEW YEAR OLD KILLIE HAS M.J. RETURNED? (writes Cailean Tait) As I write this, it is common knowledge that Eamonn Brophy is set to pen a three year pre-contract with St Mirren. One of Kilmarnock’s better players, best goal scorers and fan favourites, gone. To no less than a fellow diddy club. If it was to an English or higher Scottish team then fair, but what the move to St Mirren shows us, is that Kilmarnock were not interested enough to keep him. Yet another player who goes for nothing. After Scottish capped international O’Donnell went for nothing in the summer, one would think that the board would have learnt their lesson in not tying these boys up on better deals.

This is a tricky time for Scottish clubs. Especially those like Kilmarnock who are clearly struggling without the fans. It is essential that we get money for these boys. Whether it be £50,000, or £500,000. Every penny matters. Instead, our inept board are allowing players to go willy-nilly out the door for nothing. Some even being the most valuable assets. Whilst the selling of Greg Taylor was good, it was more on the part of a panic-buying Celtic to pay so much, rather than the wise financial management of the board.

Some of you may rightly raise the question though – what if the players just want to leave? I would take this question legitimately and seriously. Perhaps you’re onto something. However, shouldn’t that worry us even more? These are not players who were bought on a free in the summer and are hacked off at not playing. These are established, Scotland capped, Steve Clarke hero, fan favourites. If these players are not happy at the club, then we must seriously contemplate that something is wrong behind the scenes.

For Brophy, I understand his frustration. Being undoubtedly one of the better players, he has had to sit on the bench and watch as Bambi on ice upfront has taken his place. A few goals earlier on in the season by Bambi has meant that the Wolf has been unable to break into the team. That and horrific tactics that don’t fit with Brophy’s style. Is it any wonder that he wants away? Whether or not you agree with my opinion, what we cannot disagree on, is that Brophy being let go for nothing is a catastrophic oversight on the board.

How in the space of a year does it feel like we’ve gone back ten. Has Michael Johnston secretly infiltrated Rugby Park?

“Why is it a big deal though Cailean? It is only one more player, and he wasn’t even playing?”

Again, a legitimate question. However, let me answer that by revealing the list of players who are out of contract been now and the summer:                 

Danny Rodgers Curtis Lyle Stuart Findlay Aaron Tshibola Eamonn Brophy (pre-contract signed) Youssouf Mulumbu – Jan Gary Dicker Greg Kiltie Chris Burke Clevid Dikamona Calum Waters Kirk Broadfoot Nicke Kabamba Ross Millen Mitch Pinnock Danny Whitehall – Jan (possibly been extended) Thomas Brindley

Now see why I’m concerned? Stuart Findlay… another Scotland international and someone who once upon a time we thought we’d get millions for. I genuinely do not expect around 75% of these players to stay. Waters, Millen, Dicker, Broadfoot, and some of the younger boys might. But for the rest, I feel in no way confident that these boys will be signing.

Once again, this raises the issue of Dyer as manager. If this does indeed continue with the current trajectory, then we will be looking at having to replace nearly an entire team. Who do we leave that job to?

It truly does feel like a return to the dark ages of the Johnston era. Like I have always said though, this is what happens when you don’t have football minded people running a football club. Seriously, who do we have? Billy Bowie, a man who runs a haulage and sewage company, who upon arrival stated that Kilmarnock could challenge for the league title.

Phyllis McLeish, a financial advisor who’s never operated a football club before.

Cathy Jamieson, a former politician… I’ll end it at that.

Now I don’t doubt the desire of these individuals. I’m eternally grateful for Bowie for helping with Kilmarnock’s debt situation and all that we’re doing ramping up the community aspect. However, if I only focused on the positives, then I would be blinded to the glaring errors that are happening.

Since Clarke left, we waited far too long to hire a manager. Then when we did, we hired someone who couldn’t speak English (neither can some Scots but hey ho) and didn’t know squat about the game up here. Proceeding with this, they chose not to back him financially to allow him to create his own team and when against the odds he managed to get the team into European contention again, they sacked him. Then, they hired a man who had no managerial experience.

Who, at the end of the season had only three victories in twelve, as well as presiding over the horrendous 4-3 defeat in the cup to Aberdeen. Now, a year later, we are potentially on the brink of relegation.

If our form continues, and unlike our relegation competitors, we do not change things now, then we will be heading for the championship. On top of this, there are circulating rumours that Kilmarnock is prepping for the dissolution of the youth set-up. Should we drop to the championship, with no competitive youth academy, and our best players likely heading for free exits or next to nothing, then Kilmarnock as we know it will be in serious turmoil.

Before Alessio was sacked, we were informed of the decision to bring Fowler back as Footballing Director. Ever since, not one fan has had a clue as to what he actually does. Clearly, it is doing nothing effective when it comes to player contracts. Seriously, can someone tell us what he does, or is he just another wasted wage for the sake of giving a job to an auld pal? Whatever the case, it is quite clear that whatever his job capacity, he is not hitting the mark when it comes to a major aspect of the job.

For me the solution is clear, we need footballing brains running the club.

Someone who is capable of not only understanding the important financial factors necessary for running a business, but also factors that are essential for the club both on and off the park. Players who have potential must be on longterm deals, and if it doesn’t look like they’ll sign – sell them! We all knew O’Donnell wanted away, yet the board seemingly did nothing to fix the situation.

He wasn’t going to accept a deal, yet they kept on offering and offering, eventually they let him go for nothing.

Now, this summer, we signed a whole bunch of players and put them on 6month/1year deals. Setting ourselves up for a complete rebuilding again next year. Then once again the following year when the likes of Burke, Broadfoot, Dicker, Power are set to probably retire. If they’re all still here of course. Without these boys too, the core quality of the team is gone, and our replacements for players who have already left have either been mediocre or simply not done the job on the park.

It seems when it comes to players, and managers, there is no long-term strategy on how the team will proceed. And certainly, no clue as to what constitutes a successful football team, considering where we believe we should be competing.

The coming months are vital, not only for the club’s future in the Premiership, but the future of the club as a functioning, successful business that can allow it to compete at the top level of the game. Should we face relegation due to our commitment to an inexperienced manager. Whilst simultaneously, failing to sell our valuable assets on the park for decent money. As well as proceeding with the decline of the academy. Then not only will the club lose a ton of income due to fans not wishing to watch championship football, but we could face the same fate similar to the likes of Partick Thistle and Falkirk. Kilmarnock, one of the final few teams that have remained in the topflight of the SPL since its creation in 1998, may end up being just another filler team in the championship, or worse…

I call upon the board to get the finger out. To communicate with the fanbase.

And to assess the future of this club. Shall we allow ourselves to enter the frightful dystopia I have imagined above. Or should we seek to instil faith in the club again. To do so requires four key things: 1. Improve our negotiating strategy regarding contracts and the selling of players. No player who is deemed an asset should be allowed to leave the club for nothing. The selling of players is essential to the survival of the club’s finances to keep us in the topflight.

2. Employ someone to the board who has past success and experience of running a football club. A former manager, chief-executive or director would suffice.

3. Get rid of Dyer and replace him with someone who is capable of getting the best out of players, whatever their ability may be.

4. Do not get rid of the youth system, instead, look to invest in it more. The academy has been a foundational brick of the football club. If we want to compete, and continue being a successful, serious member of Scottish football, then we need to have a good youth academy behind us.

Let me know if you agree with this Killie fans. I certainly do not possess all the right answers. However, these are the problems I believe are going on at our club. I think all of us to a certain degree are concerned about the club’s strategy and future, both on and off the pitch. We deserve to have these queries, and the rightful responses to them communicated.

In these dark times, football has for a lot of us, helped us get through them. I pray for the day when we can all be back together in Rugby Park. I just want to make sure that when we do, the same club we once watched before, is the same when we return.

CAILEAN TAIT

Hippo says – Thanks mate and it’s fair to say that your views sparked a fair bit of debate on social media and on the forums. Of course football is all about opinions and that’s what I love about it, if we were all the same it would be more boring than a night in the boozer with Neil Doncaster.

It goes without saying financial constraints are a huge factor behind every footballing decision right now and just how hard our club has been hit is open to debate. The board are keeping their hands close to their chests however some comments made plus our apparent reluctance to dish out contracts doesn’t fill me with confidence I have to say.

In fairness to the club a lot of the points raised will have been addressed in the recent online chat with the board and DOF. James Fowler has come under a bit of criticism as many fans were not sure what he actually does.

I’m sure he does plenty of work behind the scenes but it would be good for the fans if he was a bit higher profile and communicated with the fans on a regular basis. As we stated as part of another article our recruitment needs to be better but I’m sure the new manager will have a big say on that.

It’s a very difficult position for the new manager as he has no transfer window to allow him to be able to bring in some of the players he might fancy. In short he needs to get the best out of the squad that’s there just now and as things stand I’d bite your hands off for 10th place just now….sad but realistic. It will be interesting to see who the board appoint and I’m sure he’ll need to address many of the points raised in this article.

The Afterlife - Transfer Edition It’s fair to see life after Sir Steve was never going to be the same. There was a real opportunity for the club to kick on however, enter stage left Mr Angelo Alessio. Angelo arrived with lots of optimism and a career as assistant coach to Antonio Conte. The Killie faithful had high hopes of a contact book involving Juve, Chelsea and even the Italian national side.

Now let’s look back at Alessio’s transfer business. Angelo quickly tapped into the loan market and to his native land of Italy and the Serie A. Goalkeeper Branescu and Defender Del Fabbro arrived from Juventus. Excitement and mystery always likely to appear when you sign someone from Juve. It’s fair to say Dario impressed and whilst Branescu wasn’t terrible; he was always going to be compared to Dan Bachmann.

More loanees arrived in the shape of returning Liverpool forward Liam Millar, Harvey St Clair via Venezia, Conor Johnson from Wolves and Niko Hamalainen arrived from QPR. Loan signings are always useful to get higher calibre players than you can afford. Looking back, Niko and Dario were excellent acquisitions and both I think we’d all be happy to see back in the blue and white stripes at some point in the future. Liam Millar also looked capable and showed flashes of a great prospect. Conor Johnson was brought in too as cover as Kirk Broadfoot headed for the exits on transfer day. Only featuring 7 times and always seemed capable when called upon.

In the free transfer market, Mo El Makrini and Jan Koprivec arrived. More mystery surrounded the signings. The fact they weren’t standard SPL journeymen was always a bonus. Jan was always going to suffer following in the footsteps of Bachmann, just like Branescu. El Makrini showed some early promise but didn’t quite set the world alight.

After what seemed a bit of a bust up, Kirk Broadfoot disappeared to St Mirren at the time it was suggested Broaders was causing a bit of a trouble and you’d have been right to think no player is bigger than the club.

However, in the light of day it turned out Angelo wasn’t the right man for the job. Perhaps Kirk was right all along. Greg Killie, Jamie McDonald, Dom Thomas, Iain Wilson and Calum Waters all departed on loan, and given only Kiltie and Waters are still in the squad I think says it all about those players who were sent on loan. Waters looks a capable left back and seems to have started this season brightly as he fights for the left back spot with Brandon Haunstrup. Kiltie is a player I think we are keen to see succeed in blue and white. Undoubtedly, this season will be make or break for Kiltie but I feel he’s got what it takes.

Just before Alessio departed, James Fowler arrived as “Head of Football Operations” to over recruitment and scouting. In practice it seemed like a good appointment; someone who knows the club inside and out. A club legend and part of the team who won the League Cup in 2012. He arrived with some management experience at QoS as well as assisting Jack Ross at St Mirren and laterally, Sunderland. I think we were hopeful he could steer Alessio in the transfer department.

That would be short lived and Alessio was given his marching orders and the nicest guy in Scottish Football, Alex Dyer, was now at the wheel. Taking the roll on in December, the January Transfer Window loomed, and we were all hopeful of a decent calibre forward as Brophy struggled to carry the teams goalscoring on his own shoulders. Simeon Jackson, Osman Sow and Nicke Kabamba; it’s fair to say given their pedigree none of those names were really what we had hoped for. Jackson and Sow; less said about those the better. Kabamba however, appears to be holding his own.

Whilst he’s not the talismanic striker we yearn for, he adds a different dimension to Brophy. (With Brophy about to leave us, hopefully Nicke can kick on a bang in the goals.)

An 8th place finish in season 19/20 as the club tried to stabilise after a short decline after the Sir Steve departing, Nomads Europa League debacle and the failed appointment in Alessio. More than 10 players departed in the summer with successful loanees returning to their parent clubs.

Stephen O’Donnell, a main stay of the side and by now a Scottish Internationalist, departed as he attempted to win a deal south of the border.

He ended up at Motherwell and another useful player gone from the squad.

James Fowler and Alex Dyer had a big job on their hands. Aaron McGowan, Brandon Haunstrup, Mitch Pinnock, Danny Whitehall, Clevid Diakamona, Danny Rogers and Aaron Tshibola arrived on permanent deals and Jake Eastwood, Zdeno Rossi and Colin Doyle all arrived on loans from Sheffield United, Bounrnemouth and Hearts, respectively.

Fans were teased with Youssouf Mulumbu’s return with the regular killiefc.comforum members on strict patrol for any sightings of Mulumbu in the Park Hotel or at Tesco doing the big shop. He eventually signed a few days before the transfer window closed. We’re five months into the season and the Jury is still out on the majority of the signings.

Danny Rogers was likely brought in as back up however due to the Jake Eastwood's injury in the first game of the season, Rogers has shown as a Keeper we can rely on. Tish has been in and out the squad but is bound to get better. Haunstrup was the most exciting of the signings and looks like he’ll make the left back spot his own. Aaron McGowan, after a shaky start, is enjoying a run of games however, Ross Millen has stepped up to the plate and looks like we have good competition in the right back slot.

Dikamona has been a bit of a bombscare and unlikely to remove Broaders and Findlay as our centre back pairing. Rossi is young and has potential but not sure he’s quite ready for regular first team football. Mitch Pinnock has made most of his appearances off the bench and whilst has shown some flashes of ability; it’s hard to tell what will come. Danny Whitehall has started the last two matches and again, whilst not the talismanic striker we want to see in the line-up; 2 goals in 2 starts hopefully can be the start of a good run.

Mulumbu has started 2 games and often we look better with him in the squad. His creativity is something we have lacked for a while now and I’m sure everyone is hoping Youssouf can return to the form of his first spell at the club that made him such a hero amongst the fans.

We head into the January transfer window in a bit of a sticky situation.

Does Dyer get the backing of the board to bring in more players? James Fowler will have to prove his worth as Head of Football Operations and find the appropriate targets.

Something we lack right is squad depth, we very rarely have anyone on the bench who looks capable of changing the game. Squad wise, we don’t have many assets to sell. Stuart Findlay is likely the only option. It would take a brave manager to sell him and even at that I don’t think I would have the faith in Fowler or Dyer to re-invest wisely. As I write this, Diaguely Dabo, a defensive midfielder, has arrived early in the window. Eamon Brophy has signed a pre-contract with St Mirren, and I would expect to see him leave at some point before the window slams shut.

It’s important we find a replacement. Last thing we want to happen is get dragged into a relegation dog fight with only Kabamba and Whitehall as our main striker options. If we aren’t prepared to sign players with cash, then we have to pursue some loan signings from our connections in the EPL. We have a number of youth players out on loan. Is there anyone out there capable of making a breakthrough? Josh Rennie currently at Hurlford and Craig Ross at Kilwinning Rangers seem a bit away from making the step up. Innes Cameron is getting minutes at The Piggery and Kyle Connell has just returned from a loan spell at Airdrie. Do either of them have the ability to step up? It’s only right they get the chance to show what they can do from the bench at the very least.

A striker or two, potentially a first-choice goalkeeper and someone creativity are essential in this window whether Dyer is in charge or not. Do you sell Stuart Findlay? I don’t think his stock is going to get any higher now his contract is up at the end of the season. Is he likely to stay? I’m not entirely sure he will. We have 19 players out of contract in the summer and the clock is ticking. The last thing we want is another rebuild job in the summer regardless of who the manager is.

Cheers PE I mean Killieboy(aka @MrBenGrant on Twitter) Hippo says – Thanks to long time contributor Ben and his excellent article. We have brought in Oakley since Ben sent this article but as highlighted, we have many players shortly out of contract. The starting 11 in the opening game of next season may be an eye opener!!

TIME FOR ANOTHER RELEGATION BATTLE We all have grasped the ineptitude of Alex Dyer as our manager. But what are the causes of our poor form specifically? There are plenty, to be frank.

And that is why relegation is looking more likely by the week. Here are the reasons why, writes Gary Kirkpatrick.

Poor recruitment I'll go through this chronologically, thus starting with player recruitment in the summer and in the winter.

Here are the players the club have signed:

The jury is still out on Diaguely Dabo and George Oakley, but from the 11 summer additions, Aaron Tshibola and Youssouf Mulumbu are the only genuine highlights for me.

Danny Rogers is our first-choice 'keeper and while he has shown his qualities, he is prone to an error or two. And in some instances, these mistakes have cost us in games. Brought in to be our second choice, I now understand why.

Zeno Ibsen Rossi is a young lad and overall, for someone who hadn't played a professional match before joining Killie, he has proven to be fairly steady.

But realistically, he was loaned out by Bournemouth to gain experience and as such, he is naturally our third-choice centre-back.

The rest are average signings who are downgrades on what we boasted previously. I am particularly surprised by Aaron McGowan and Brandon Haunstrup. They arrived at the club with decent pedigree, but have failed to show enough consistency to warrant any means of satisfaction from me.

Perhaps this falls back on the management team. But I think they both have to take a look at themselves too.

Overall, Dyer and James Fowler's player recruitment was poor in the summer. Not one player, bar Mulumbu, provides any sort of spark or excitement. Some show flashes of ability, but not enough for Kilmarnock.

I do believe the poor performances we have seen of these signings have been compounded by the ineptitude of the management team and their flaws, which leads me on nicely to the next point.

Negative tactics and no attacking wherewithal How many times this season have you saw Kilmarnock put together a great attacking sequence of passing and movement, even if it doesn't lead to a goal?

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About as many times Kirk Broadfoot's long punts have been taken down by one of our strikers. In other words, very few times.

It would be much better to say that we play good football, create chances but are just not clinical enough. We can't even do the 'play good football' bit to even muster up decent goal-scoring opportunities. Instead, we are negative and pin our hopes on seeing out a win or a draw way before it is normal to do so.

We seem scared to lose because it is as if the players know we are useless in any kind of build-up play or attacking phase, so they naturally sit deeper and deeper as games go on, hoping we can see out what we have if we aren't losing already.

Some of this may come back to our player recruitment as discussed. But largely, it is the lack of ideas from Dyer that make us look like a nothing team and a bunch of pushovers.

Granted, when we have a fully fit side with the likes of Greg Kiltie and Mulumbu on form, we do play a bit better. But as soon as these players are missing, we are genuinely hopeless. I feel for players like Chris Burke.

Opposition teams identify he is our biggest threat without Kiltie and as such, he is neutralised. With that, we have nobody able to grab the match by the scruff of the neck.

It's not down to the fact our attacking styles don't work. We actually don't have a Plan A in the first instance as far as I can see. It's as simple as regaining possession, passing back to defence and thumping it up the park...

Not streetwise or tough enough This point was perfectly exemplified via West Lothian last night. Livingston were exactly the side we aren't. Streetwise, tough and trying to seek an advantage over the opposition in any area or circumstance (corners, freekicks, throw-ins).

Their style embodies the no-nonsense approach of their new boss David Martindale. Do anything you can to stop the opposition from getting near your own box - not hard against us - and get the ball forward as quickly as possible.

Essentially, their mantra seems to be that if the ball is in the opposition's half, they won't concede. Last night, the players knew exactly what to do on the ball and off it. They seem to be given simple instructions that can be easily carried out.

We are the exact opposite of all of this.

Timid, lackadaisical and naive. Just three words that come to mind that describes our matchday mindset. And it all comes back to player instructions and managerial motivation. What are our players' instructions? Where do they get any sort of motivation or spirit? Where is that thirst and drive that is needed if we are heading for a relegation dogfight?

Cosy dressing room culture My final point of this rather depressing article is perhaps what I was referring to in my last paragraph.

I can envisage Martindale, even though his team won 2-0, still demanding more from his players in the dressing room after Livi's performance last night. I can still see him being assertive and telling his players that while it was great they got the three points, they can strive to do better.

In stark contrast, I can see Dyer walking into the away dressing room last night and giving his players a pat on the back, praising them for their "hard work" and saying we were deserving of a point.

While they are just words, I think they will have a detrimental psychological effect on the players. "This is fine, at least the manager said we tried". Not good when we are staring down the barrel of a gun, unwittingly preparing to be potentially shot down into the 2021/22 Championship season.

I just can't see Dyer ripping into players or threatening them. I can see John Hughes doing that with his Ross County squad. I can see Hamilton manager Brian Rice turning red too. It could be a big reason why we go down, if we do.

Not once have I experienced a relegation with Killie in my lifetime. What a shame it would be if we were to finally do it with a whimper. The Board must sack Dyer now and find someone else. We are sleepwalking into the Championship with the current managerial setup and the implications of that far outweigh the financial hit the club may take in replacing Dyer.

Change is needed. And fast.

Hippo says – Thanks to Gary for this article and you can read loads of great Killie stuff on his website thetwosquirrels.co.uk and also follow them on twitter @TwoSquirrels_ Like the other articles in this issue it was written shortly before AD left the building but most of the points made are still perfectly valid regardless of who is in the hot seat.

Recruitment is hugely important and is ultimately where most managers will succeed or fail. As a provincial club with a limited budget we need to be extra careful with who we bring in and I would have to agree that the last two windows have not been hugely successful in bringing in players who have become a fixture in the first team. Gary sums it up well and between the new manager and Director of Football improvement is needed.

We also need to do with bringing through youngsters, something we have not done much of in the last few seasons. We need to properly finance the youth department as that can generate a lot of money if you can unearth a few gems.

Finally no club is ever successful through player power and it does seem certain individuals in the dressing room have too much say….I’m sure Angelo found that out to his cost. We need a bit of a clear out and a strong man in charge who will let everyone know who is boss.

CATHY’S MONTHLY CLUB UPDATE Welcome to the latest of my regular reports. This was written prior to last night’s match, and was originally intended to be issued earlier today. However, I wanted to make clear that I share the acute disappointment felt by supporters at recent results, and acknowledge the many communications I have received. I have again made clear the concerns and strength of feeling conveyed in those communications to my fellow Directors.

On a positive note, on behalf of the Board and everyone at Kilmarnock Football Club, I would like to thank every supporter, including those who have also signed up to the Trust, who donated to the Crowdfunder organised by the Killie Trust in conjunction with KFCSA, to defray the costs of the £10000 fine imposed by SPFL, and associated legal costs, which are estimated to be well into five figures.

This went live at 12:30 on Saturday 16th January and we were amazed that it raised £10,000 by the 3pm kick off on that day. Donations have continued to come in and are currently in excess of £22,000. This is an incredible level of support, especially in the period just after Christmas, and at a time when many people are finding their own finances stretched as a result of Covid-19 restrictions impacting on their employment.

Following suggestions from fans, the Crowdfunder has been kept open until Sunday 31st January.

This report is slightly different in format to usual, given that we had a very in-depth On Board In Person event last week where all three Club Directors and the Head of Football Operations answered questions submitted by fans.

I am aware that not everyone is able to easily access the online discussion and I have therefore summarised below some key issues from the event, along with some updated information where available.

OBIP part 1 Current financial position of the Club and implications of Covid-19 It was confirmed that the Club has been severely impacted by costs arising from Covid19, and not having fans able to attend matches in person. The loss for the current year is expected to be in excess of £1m.

The Club will likely apply for the loan offered to all SPFL Premiership clubs. While this was portrayed in some sections of the media as Kilmarnock FC asking Scottish Government for a £1m loan, the reference in On Board In Person was in fact to the emergency football funding scheme being made available by Scottish Government, which was announced in December 2020. Full details can be found here but essentially this scheme has provided for £20million in loans to be divided equally between SPFL Premiership clubs (approximately £1.6m per club). Grants of £500k have been provided to each Championship club, and smaller grants to lower tiers.

There has been some concern expressed that Premiership clubs are being offered loans, while Championship clubs which have similar or even greater levels of income have been given grants. The terms of loans and fine detail is still to be clarified. However, we have said that we would be likely to take a loan to help cushion cash flow issues, bearing in mind that Billy Bowie, Phyllis McLeish and the Killie Trust have already put in cash to support the running of the club this season. A claim has also been made for Business Interruption Insurance, and the outcome is awaited.

As supporters will be aware, the outcome of the appeal against sanction for Covid-19 breach was that there would be a fine of £20,000 with £10,000 to be paid and the remainder suspended to the end of the season, and that the Motherwell match should be played. This has now been arranged for Wednesday 10th February at 7:45pm.

A key point for us was that sporting integrity was not best served by awarding points without the match being played and we were pleased that the Appeal Panel took this into account.

During the On Board In Person interview I explained that at all times the Club had the safety and wellbeing of players and staff at the forefront, and had sought to take an approach consistent with public health. The Covid-19 protocols had been drawn up with involvement of medical, security and health and safety staff, and were very similar to those being used in other clubs.

Following the outbreak, the club did look again at what was in place internally and made changes to travel arrangements (for example utlising two coaches rather than one) and installed some additional protective measures in dressing room area.

James Fowler explained in more detail the daily checks for players and precautions taken.

In addition, a weekly Covid-19 update from the Club Health and Safety Officer is circulated to all players and staff, detailing any changes in government legislation/guidance and implications of this for the Club.

In response to a question on the Club’s position on changes in SPFL Board, it was noted

by Billy Bowie that this was something for discussion after we have got through the pandemic, but we have expressed how we feel as a member of the SPFL. He felt that just now we need to keep clubs pulling together to keep football going.

Phyllis advised that shop sales have increased massively since taking retail back in house and thanked all the fans for their support.

OBIP part 2 Fan attendance at matches

The Panel answered a number of questions around Season Tickets and plans to get fans back into the ground when allowed.

The Board confirmed that plans are in place for when fans are allowed to return. These had been drawn up at an early stage and included a proposed one-way system for entrance and exit. The additional sanitizing stations purchased by the Killie Trust had been put to good use already and would be very useful when fans are allowed back.

Billy Bowie referred to the arrangements made for the official team photo, where seats had been marked out in advance, and anticipated that similar arrangements would have to be put in place for fans.

It was however recognised by the Board that with present pandemic situation and new variant having led to current lockdown, it was looking increasingly unlikely that fans would be returning in significant numbers this season.

It was acknowledged that this does create difficultly for the Club as, like some other clubs, the commitment to offering 19 matches ‘in person’ had been made in good faith when it was anticipated we could have had some fans back in a staged way in 2020.

The Board is considering a number of options for next season’s ticketing at present and plans to bring together a focus group involving a number of fans in a few weeks’ time, to discuss this further. With the current uncertainty, the season ticket campaign may commence later than usual. We are keen to recognise the fans who have stuck with the club during this season and suggestions put forward already will all be considered.

OBIP part 3 Football Operations

Billy Bowie confirmed that the Board had met with the manager and funds are available for wages for a new player. Focus was on bringing in a striker and there have been players in on trial. The signing of George Oakley has since been announced and we are still looking to add to the squad if possible.

The first team budget had been well guarded, to allow the club to compete. While some other clubs had cut player wages, we have not done so. However, we did take some tough decisions at the outset of first lockdown, reviewing and restructuring within the club operations.

James Fowler described the range of work he is involved in across the whole club, including the first team, development team / Academy and women’s team, which has been brought under auspices of the Club.

James’s role includes managing staff, liaising with and providing support to the manager, arranging player loans, watching loan players, dealing with recruitment, including agents, and keeping close links with the development squad. He also works closely on day-to-day basis with the Club Secretary, media and commercial teams, speaks to a Board member at least weekly on current issues and meets with whole Board every two to three weeks on more strategic issues. He also joins SPFL/SFA Zoom calls on behalf of the Club.

He reported that six players had gone out on loan, some to Junior sides, and some to lower division SPFL clubs. With no reserve team, this helps bridge the step from development group into first team.

Since On Board In Person, Innes Cameron has gone on loan to Alloa.

James emphasized the importance of watching all loaned-out players in action and providing support to them, as part of their pathway. Having come through Academy himself, he is passionate about the Academy and how this challenges and pushes people on.

He is also committed to forging better career/education /personal development pathways for young players, including encouraging them to do coaching badges. The work with School of Football at the McIlvanney Campus has produced very good feedback, with the academic side going well.

There is still no further information from SFA regarding future shape of academies, but staff are working hard to keep players engaged during these tough times, and we thank them for their efforts.

James also gave an insight into the process around recruitment of managers including the importance of tracking who is available/may be available in future, as is done with players. In his view, ‘the Ajax way’ approach is harder to implement in small clubs, but there are aspects which could be adopted, in terms of basic principles.

He confirmed that Eamon Brophy had been made a good offer some time ago, but the player chose to sit it out. At present he is working on possible options for players we want to keep but recognises that while offers can be made, players can choose not to sign.

He reiterated that this season is not easy – the priority player-wise is to stay in league and rebuild from there.

A player pathway needs to be developed, given the age of our squad, including bringing people through and selling. James felt strongly that it was not ideal for Billy, Phyllis and the Trust to constantly put cash in just to keep going.

Pre-contracts might be used, although they are not legally binding. The scouting network is being built up to keep track of potential targets in Scotland and elsewhere.

James said that Brexit has brought some potential challenges. He hopes there will still be the option to bring in from abroad, but the main focus now is UK players.

OBIP part 4 General Club activities

The panel discussed current set up, with club having small Board.

Billy has been in regular contact with a lot of business owners in Ayrshire, many of which are going through tough times. He has had conversations with sponsors to see what more they can do but noted that sponsors and many advertisers have stuck by the Club, and perhaps these routes are the limit of what people can do.

A small Board means we are in regular contact with each other and are hands-on. We now have a good group of Heads of Department who take on roles a CEO would do. But it was made clear by all that if anyone out there who genuinely wishes to invest, they would be welcome to get in touch! There have been no queues forming so far.

Billy is keen to try to hit the ground running when we get out of the Covid-19 restrictions as regards stadium and training facilities. The planning application is still pending for nine -a-side pitch behind the Moffat Stand. Developments may not initially be as originally planned but there is an aspiration still to take plans forward.

James spoke about his experiences elsewhere and the value of a club having its own facility, which could also involve Academy players in closer working day-to-day with the first team.

Going forward, the Directors want to see KFC challenge for top three, but this season needs to be realistic, with the aim of being in top six if possible, while recognising that main priority is to stay in the Premiership.

The aspiration is to play good football, have young players come through into first team, have a good, sustainable business model and also play part in local community.

Work is currently being done to pull together a vision statement and forward plan to rebuild from the Covid-19 pandemic. This will be discussed further at the AGM. In response to a specific question about honouring the late David Sneddon, Billy said he would consider options. The plan is to work with Hall of Fame committee and supporters to look at ways of recognising Killie legends throughout the stadium.

Fans had again asked about how to help the club financially. Various ways of investing including via shares, ‘Trust In Killie’, supporting retail and the Killie Cares Fund are all helpful. KFCSA organised a raffle of a signed Chris Burke shirt which added to the crowdfunding efforts and other similar fundraisers may be possible.

Suggestions have been made for a virtual half time draw. I have raised this with the Club, but there are some issues around the legislation governing lotteries which make it less straightforward than it first appears, so we are looking at what might be feasible. Other options such as souvenir ‘tickets’ for Cup games will also be explored.

Directors again thanked the Trust for their support, and Billy stated that he would join!

The Trust Chair emphasized that ‘Trust in Killie’ has only one mission - to raise money for club. The Trust is now a part-owner and therefore has responsibility to help solve problems. James has been relaying Trust support to Manager and team and is sure that they will do what they can to show appreciation. It was great to see Chris Burke provide a pair of his boots to go along with his shirt for the KFCSA competition.

The event concluded with brief discussion aout the recent racist abuse suffered by the Manager, and fans were thanked for the way they had responded. The wording of the ‘Super Killie’ song was felt to be outdated and, in today’s context, offensive. The Trust Board have taken a stance against it and the Club Board echoed the view that it should be ditched.

Show Racism the Red Card have commended the Club and supporters for their response to the racist letter sent to the Manager and are seeking to work with us on initiatives when Covid-19 restrictions allow. Therefore, now is a good time to get the message across that the song is not welcomed at Rugby Park.

Commercial update

At the recent Club Board meeting an update on commercial activity to end of December 2020 was provided. Retail has continued to be strong with replica shirts selling well.

Over 2000 home and 1500 away shirts have been purchased, which is much stronger than at same point in previous years.

The Christmas jumper also sold well as has the 150th anniversary book, which has become the best-selling book in the Club’s history.

The Killie Ltd range of leisure wear has also broken records and is continuing to sell extremely well. With new designs and adaptions to the apparel lines coming soon, we’re sure there will be plenty to look forward to as we head towards next season.

The new Killie Tartan snood, which we have created in partnership with McCallum Bagpipes, has also been very popular with the first batch almost sold out and more on the way. An exclusive, limited run of both Retro strips (1965 & 1985) are due back in stock soon and we expect one more to be released before the end of this current season.

Over 400 Blue Bricks have now been purchased. While the first batch has been installed, the weather has delayed further work on the remainder. However, it is hoped, weather permitting, to have these completed by end of the month.

With retail operations now run in-house, it has meant a larger percentage of profit is being reinvested into the club, which has been particularly welcome this year. It has also meant that we have far more control over our margins and the suppliers we use. If you or anyone you know would like to approach the Club to propose a potential partnership, please email commercial@kilmarnockfc.co.uk.

Media and Communications As part of our evolving Killie TV offering for fans, club captain Gary Dicker and midfielder Rory McKenzie have joined the commentary team for matches against Hamilton and Hibernian respectively.

While naturally we’d rather see the guys out on the pitch, we hope that this has helped to give supporters additional insight through a player’s perspective of the match.

The media team have been talking to supporters as part of an upcoming ‘Killie Rituals’ series, which will launch on both the club website and match programme at the start of February, telling supporters’ stories as they follow the club from home through the pandemic.

Our match programme against Hamilton was dedicated to David Sneddon with his picture adorning the cover and included comprehensive details of his immense contribution to Killie, provided by Club historian John Livingston.

Introductory interviews took place with new signings Diaguely Dabo and George Oakley.

Annual accounts and AGM Our annual accounts are currently with Auditors for consideration and final version to be completed. Due to the impact of Covid-19, the SPFL has extended the deadline for submission of accounts to end March 2021. We are therefore looking towards end of March for AGM to take place. Given the current restrictions, this will require to be held online, and various platforms are being looked at, to ensure we have something which is straightforward to use.

I can be contacted in the usual ways: Email: cathyjamieson@kilmarnockfc.co.uk Facebook: Cathy Jamieson Twitter: @cathyjamieson Instagram: cathyjamiesonkillie Best wishes Cathy

RIP ANDY SINCLAIR We all know 2020 was a horrible year for us all and in all honesty 2021 has started every bit as bad. It feels like we are doing an obituary in every issue die to this horrible virus. Sadly lifelong Killie fan Andy Sinclair, a weel kent face in Irvine was taken from us to early and social media was full of shocked friends and family who couldn’t believe this hugely popular guy had been taken far too early.

I’d like to pass on my sincerest condolences to Andy’s family and friends and will leave the last word to his good mate Simon Brown.

Andy "Boris" Sinclair, (07/08/71 - 18/01/21) passed away after a short battle with Covid. A hugely popular man who lit up a room with his infectious laugh, he saw the best in everyone and was always the first to offer a helping hand. A lifelong Killie fan, he will be sorely missed by his many friends.

HAIL THE KILLIE FAMILY If there is one positive thing that can be taken from this terrible virus it is that folk seem to appreciate each other much more so than previously. There are many tales of folk helping out elderly neighbours, doing shopping for housebound folk and in the case of Killie fans we showed a similar helping hand to the club in their hour of need.

Thanks to the ridiculous mindset of Doncaster and his cronies Killie were landed with initially (0-3 to Motherwell) losing a game thanks to Covid as well as a hefty fine. The virus is everywhere and clubs, like the population as a whole, are doing what they can to keep the horrible thing at bay. In the case of Killie it should be said even the local health authority were happy with our efforts…..but it wasn’t good enough for Doncaster.

Along with St Mirren we were facing this crippling punishment even though the whole football could see the punishment was completely disproportionate to the “crime”. We appealed the decision and as the second wave swept the whole country it was becoming more and more obvious that the punishment was ridiculous.

The “secret” independent appeal panel agreed with our case and we ended up with a £20k fine half of which was suspended. Such was the feeling among Killie fans that we had been very hard done too that a crowd funder was instantly set up to pay the fine and slightly ease the burden on the club at a time when we have a hugely reduced income.

The funding appeal hit the forums and social media on the Saturday lunch time and before a ball was kicked at 3.00pm the £10k target had been met and passed. The final sum was somewhere in excess of £22k and well done to the Trust for putting in £5k. Huge well done to all Killie fans and to Neil Doncaster for infuriating the Killie Family into action!!