“Alston won the league at Rugby Park, Alston won the league at Rugby park, Alston won the league, Alston won the league, Alston won the league at Rugby Park” It has now been over 6 months since Blair Alston sent in one of the all time great Killie goals but I still can’t get the tune out my brain When the 2023 Eurovision Song Contest hits Liverpool there is no doubt that this should be our entry, we could maybe get Lewis Capaldi to give it a blast and even the Eastern Europeans would ditch their political bias to give us top marks…..nurse can I have some more Tramadol please!!
Hello again chums, apologies for the delay but the ol’ hippo health hasn’t been all it should be however things are on the up and we’ll make up for lost time. We’ll be churning out an issue every 3 4 weeks or for this politically minded there will be a new fanzine out with every new prime minister so keep sending me those articles to killiehippo@aol.com. It has been a very mixed start to the season, just like the weekly starting 11 selections, but we are in there scrapping and we have a semi final jaunt at Hampden to coming up. The Howard troops are running a full bus from West Netherton Bowling Club and we nearly booked a mad party bus with karaoke, flowing booze etc. They quoted us £650 which was pricey but we were going to book it anyway until they advised us that was each way!!!
It would be fair to say my predictions on how we will fare has changed on a weekly basis but my expectations have dipped from the start of the season as our lack of goals becomes increasingly obvious to everyone. Our away record is nothing short of embarrassing but on the flip side our home form has been generally excellent……Celtic and Livi aside. I have a theory about the “long term project” rather than a fire fighting strategy from the board but that is an article in itself for the next issue.
We will an issue in every issue looking at Killie’s progress but the glaring problem for me is the lack of creativity and goals. As things stand we either score via a set piece or some Danny Armstrong magic, there is nothing from the strikers although Lafferty looked to be finding a bit of from just before his “bigotry break”. We really do need better in the final third and that has to be the priority of DM and Russ Richardson in the upcoming window. We know January isn’t a good time to pick up players but we need to pull out all the stops to ensure we have a genuine and consistent threat when going forward.
Anyway I’m writing this just after the final pre World Cup game so it’s good to see us going into the break with a much needed win….more of these please.
Finally massive thanks once again to our generous benefactor who donated to our Growing the Killie Family initiative to get families to RP who wouldn’t have otherwise.
Sandy
My name is George McGill and I have lived in Cyprus for the past 9 years. I have supported Kilmarnock for over 50 years and thought I would share a few of my highlights.
I went to Loanhead Primary and one of my classmates, Lionel Stevenson, (apologies if the name is misspelled) suggested going to Rugby Park to see Killie. I didn’t have the money for this but he said we would get a lift over. So off we went to see Killie play Rangers on April 4th 1970. Tommy McLean was majestic that day and we drew 2-2. I was hooked.
For the next few years I went to the home games with my cousin, David Hutchison. Wee Davie never had a problem getting a lift over but as I was closer to six feet than five I always struggled to find a benefactor who could help me but I always got in. One of the statements I heard frequently was “for f**ks sake son you should be giving me the lift over”
In the summer of 1974 I got a job at Theodas’s delivering papers. For the princely sum of £1 per week I had the pleasure of delivering newspapers 7 days a week. I saved up and this allowed me to buy my first season ticket at Rugby Park. For the princely sum of £4 I got a junior terracing season ticket. Along with my friend Andy Taylor, who also bought one, we attended every home game, quite a few away games as well as most reserve games.
The great players I saw in the 70s are too many to mention but a few were Brian Rodman, Paul Clarke, Derek (Bolts in the Neck) McDicken. Ian Fleming, Eddie Morrison, Davie Provan, Tommy McLean, Gordon Smith, John Bourke, Iain (Cowboy) McCulloch and Ian Fallis.
There were too many memorable games during the 70s to pick a favourite but honourable mentions for the 8 2 win over Alloa, all wins over Ayr, including the 6 1 in 1976, any win against the twisted sisters and although we lost the Frank Beattie Testimonial against Celtic seeing Kenny Dalglish score 6 goals was well worth remembering.
The 80s were a lean time for me as far as watching Killie regularly were concerned and a lean time for the club. Favourite players during that period were Sir Willie Watters, Alan McCulloch, Stuart McLean, Alan Robertson and Sammy McGivern.
Not so many games to highlight from the 80s but the one that stands out is the 6 0 hammering of Queen of the South and still being relegated, talk about a day of mixed emotions.
The 80s finished with the “Fleeting Takeover” and the best signing Killie ever made with the arrival of Tommy Burns. So we entered the 90s, my favourite decade as a Killie supporter.
Favourite moments of the 90s (in no particular order)
1/ Shaun McSkimming at the old Dunfermline stadium. Although it ended up a 2 2 draw it was a goal worthy of winning any game (27/03/1993)
2/ Danny Crainie's winner at Firhill in Nov 1993. Memory told me it was from his own half but having just watched it he was just inside theirs.
Dave McKinnon’s penalty against Cowdenbeath and invading the park after the game
Being at the 8 1 game at Meadowbank
All victories at Ibrox
All victories over Ayr and the twisted sisters.
Seeing Mark Hateley play centre half for Rangers and Tom Black score a screamer of a free kick in the last game at the old Rugby Park
All away trips in Europe, missed only the trips to Kaiserslautern and Reykjavik.
Whilst being escorted by the police to the Olympic Stadium in Sarajevo (v Zeljeznicar) coming across the 100s if not 1000s of war graves. All Killie fans immediately stopped and held a minute’s silence. All the locals applauded our actions, even the police. A most humbling experience.
a “Privileged
Finding that my seat was surrounded by the crowd from the Howard and enjoying every game because of their patter, win, lose or draw.
All the games leading up to the 1997 Cup Final
THE 1997 CUP FINAL Being on John Finnie Street the night of the 1997 Cup Final
The night before the cup final I was on duty as a firefighter at Parkhead Fire Station. At 0530hrs I was 100 feet in the air (at the top of the Turntable Ladder) pouring water on to a derelict tenement when through my radio communications came “Paper Roses”. It was being sung by some of my workmates. What made it all the more surprising was that they were all season ticket holders at Celtic Park. I took it as an omen of good things to come for the rest of the day.
Virtually all players of the 90s are worth a mention as favourites but the one standout is Paul Wright, his goal at Ibrox in the Cup Final will forever live in the memory. Honourable mentions to Tommy Burns, Mark Roberts (his winning goal at Ibrox), Bobby Williamson both as a player and a manager, Ally (Bully) Mitchell, John Henry, Burke and Bagan. Then at the end of the 90s Durrant and McCoist.
As for favourite goals I have managed to cut it down to 3. As already mentioned the Cup winning goal by Paul Wright, not a thing of beauty but what a goal. Jim McIntyre against Shelbourne in Dublin, this was a thing of beauty. Finally back to Paul Wright and a goal he scored in the only game I ever attended Rugby Park with my dad. It was on November 1st 1996 against Hibs, our 3rd goal in a 4-2 victory. Never get tired of watching it.
2000 2013 brought us a mixed bag of top and bottom six finishes. It also brought us one of the most gifted footballers to grace the Theatre of Pies, Alexei Eremenko in 2010. Although there have been many foreign players to grace Rugby Park. Cocard, Vareille and Dindeleaux to name but a few not many, if any, have been better than Eremenko in his first stint with Killie. A highlight in 2000 was our easy 3 0 victory over Rangers at Castle Greyskull. Hearing the Killie choir sing “this is so f**king easy” will always be remembered.
Games in Europe were also limited but the trip to Glenavon was brilliant as it was the first and only time I travelled with the Howard crowd. Didn’t make it to Norway so that was my last trip abroad supporting Killie.
Although the league was a mixed bag the League Cup was a different proposition. In the final in 2001 we were holding our own and Iain Durrant was running the show. After Celtic kicked him off the park in the first half Henrik Larsson took over and the game was lost. The final in 2007 against Hibs was a disaster and made for a very miserable day out. Unlike the semi final in January when Stevie Naismith scored a hat trick past none other than Kasper Schmeichel who was playing for Falkirk at the time. As both those finals were played on the 18th of March maybe it was the date that we didn’t like. This was not the case because it was 3rd time lucky on March 18th 2012 when Dieter Van Tornhout, matched Paul Wright from 15 years earlier, and scored the only goal of the game to win the cup for Killie. Another night to celebrate although the death of Liam Kelly’s father (just after the game finished) did take a little of the shine off the night.
Following Killie over here in Cyprus is/has been quite simple. The internet allows access to all the news, interviews, highlights etc and my Killie TV subscription allows me to watch most games live. Last season’s away games had to be watched on Pay Per View but it was a small price to pay to see Killie get promotion.
Do I miss anything? Well yes. The atmosphere and patter at a game are part of the overall match experience. As is going for a few beers before and after the game. Shouting at a player or ref on the tv is not quite the same as at the actual game. Although the Bovril is the same I do miss the Killie Pie.
Is there anything I don’t miss? Well yes. I don’t miss the cold and the rain. I know it is part of the overall experience but I like the heat and the dry (ice cold beer tastes better).
Highlights of the last 9 years supporting Killie from afar.
Watching the second play off game against Falkirk on 22nd May 2016 in a bar in Rome when a fellow Killie fan walks in. His wife is already on the way to the airport but he just has to see the game. We try to drink the bar dry and let most of Rome know that Killie had won.
The Steve Clarke era.
The night Alston won the league at Rugby Park. Nuff said. Biggest low of the last 9 years.
The defeat to Connah’s Quay Nomads. Already had planned the trip to Serbia but it wasn’t to be.
There have been so many highs and lows over the last 50+ years supporting Killie, more lows than highs but that’s what makes the highs so special and something the fans of the twisted sisters will never understand. This season hasn’t had the best start but in DM I think we have a manager who can ensure our safety in this league. Our victory over Motherwell showed the potential that is there. Onwards and upwards……..KTID.
Managers are based on 101 different things when it comes to judging their success so the transfer windows are a crucial part of every season for all clubs. It would be fair to say that over the last 3 years or so that Killie’s recruitment has been poor and played a huge part in our relegation. There is still a huge number of personnel changes needed at Killie but that’s for an article all on its own.
It was clear that with a new manager taking us into a higher league there was going to be a big change in personnel and that has been the case. If I’m honest I thought there would have been more but I’m sure it’s easier said than done.
Anyway here is a rundown of all the ins and outs throughout the league and a wee heads up on what business each club has done and a wee word or two on how it has impacted them:
In: Luis Lopes, forward (Benfica, undisclosed); Bojan Miovski, forward (MTK Budapest, undisclosed); Ylber Ramadani, midfielder (MTK Budapest); Jayden Richardson, defender (Nottingham Forest, undisclosed); Shayden Morris, midfielder (Fleetwood Town, undisclosed); Anthony Stewart, defender (Wycombe Wanderers); Kelle Roos, goalkeeper (Derby County); Callum Roberts, midfielder (Notts County, undisclosed).
Loan in: Liam Scales, defender (Celtic); Leighton Clarkson, midfielder (Liverpool); Hayden Coulson, defender (Middlesbrough).
Out: Lewis Ferguson, midfielder (Bologna, undisclosed); Calvin Ramsay, defender (Liverpool, £4.2m); David Bates, defender (Mechelen); Andrew Considine, defender (St Johnstone); Declan Gallagher, defender (St Mirren); Gary Woods, goalkeeper (Kilmarnock); Funso Ojo, midfielder (Port Vale); Michael Ruth, forward (Queen of the South); Finn Yeats, midfielder (Falkirk); Dylan McGeouch, midfielder; Michael Devlin, defender; Tyler Mykyta, midfielder;
Jack MacIver, midfielder; Luke Turner, defender; Mark Gallagher, midfielder; Jamie Shingler, goalkeeper.
Loan ended: Adam Montgomery, defender (Celtic); Teddy Jenks, midfielder (Brighton & Hove Albion).
Loan out: Connor McLennan, forward (St Johnstone); Dean Campbell, midfielder (Stevenage); Kieran Ngwenya, defender (Raith Rovers); Mason Hancock, defender (Arbroath); Evan Towler, defender (Cove Rangers); Tom Ritchie, goalkeeper (Peterhead); Kevin Henratty, midfielder (Forfar Athletic).
Much like Killie there has been a change in management so the new guy is looking to build his own squad. Under DM you always expected a big physical challenge when you faced the mutton munchers but perhaps that is not quite so much the case…..although it would be fair to say that their manager liked a kick in his heyday .Miovski has made a big impact much to the delight of my North Macedonian chums fae Bellfield.
They have started the season fairly well although they do seem vulnerable away from home…….yes I know that’s a bit rich coming from a Killie fan
. I’d love to see us stuff this lot a couple of times this season as they seem to have been a jinx even during the heady days of SSC.
In: Alexandro Bernabei, defender (Atletico Lanus, undisclosed); Sead Haksabanovic, forward (Rubin Kazan, undisclosed); Aaron Mooy, midfielder (Shanghai Port); Benjamin Siegrist, goalkeeper (Dundee United); Jota, midfielder (Benfica, loan to permanent, undisclosed); Cameron Carter Vickers, defender (Tottenham Hotspur, loan to permanent, undisclosed); Daizen Maeda, forward (Yokohama F Marinos, loan to permanent, undisclosed).
Loan in: Moritz Jenz, defender (Lorient); Oliver Abildgaard, midfielder (Rubin Kazan).
Out: Christopher Jullien, defender (Montpellier, undisclosed); Nir Bitton, midfielder (Maccabi Tel Aviv); Boli Bolingoli, defender (Mechelen); Karamoko Dembele, forward (Stade Brestois); Kerr McInroy, midfielder (Kilmarnock); Jonathan Afolabi, forward (Bohemians); Ewan Henderson, midfielder (Hibernian, loan to permanent); Luca Connell, midfielder (Barnsley); Owen Moffat, forward (Blackpool); Ross Doohan, goalkeeper (Tranmere Rovers, loan to permanent, undisclosed); Ethan Mitchell, goalkeeper (Annan Athletic); Tom Rogic, midfielder; Ryan Mullen, goalkeeper.
Loan out: Albian Ajeti, forward (Sturm Graz); Mikey Johnston, forward (Vitoria Guimaraes); Vasilis Barkas, goalkeeper (Utrecht); Ismaila Soro, midfielder (Arouca); Liam Scales, defender (Aberdeen); Conor Hazard, goalkeeper (HJK Helsinki); Osaze Urhoghide, defender (Oostende); Adam Montgomery, defender (St Johnstone); Liam Shaw, midfielder (Morecambe); Johnny Kenny, forward (Queen's Park); Ben Wylie, midfielder (Airdrieonians).
Over the years, when playing either one of the arse cheeks, you feel like you need a few things to go right to get a result. A genuine belief, all players at top of their game allied with a rub of the green, a fair ref and the opponents a little off colour. When I left the 5 0 defeat at RP early in the season I felt there was a gulf that I have not seen for a long time.
Subsequent results would suggest that Ange may have something good going on at Parkhead and if they maintain their current level of form then it’s hard to see anyone stopping them. Of course it is early days and every team has a dip in form at some time but the signs are ominous for the rest of the league. I reckon Carter Vickers has been a good signing, he’s a rock at theback and when he’s missed a game they have looked far less secure.
In: Glenn Middleton, midfielder (Rangers, undisclosed); Mark Birighitti, goalkeeper (Central Coast Mariners, undisclosed); Aziz Behich, defender (Giresunspor); Craig Sibbald, midfielder (Livingston); Steven Fletcher, forward (Stoke City); Dylan Levitt, midfielder (Manchester United, loan to permanent, undisclosed); Sadat Anaku, forward (Kampala Capital City Authority).
Loan in: Jamie McGrath, midfielder (Wigan Athletic).
Out: Tam Courts, head coach (Budapest Honved); Jack Ross, head coach; Nicky Clark, forward (St Johnstone, undisclosed); Trevor Carson, goalkeeper (St Mirren, undisclosed); Benjamin Siegrist, goalkeeper (Celtic); Lewis Neilson, defender (Heart of Midlothian); Mark Connolly, defender (Derry City, undisclosed); Calum Butcher, midfielder (Burton Albion); Lennon Walker, midfielder (Falkirk); Nathan Cooney, defender (Brechin City); Rhys Caves, midfielder (Gretna); Kevin McDonald, midfielder; Adrian Sporle, defender; Max Biamou, forward; Florent Hoti, midfielder; Dom Naglik, forward; Shaun Brown, midfielder; Sam Lovie, defender.
Loan ended: Marc McNulty, forward (Reading); Tim Akinola, defender (Arsenal).
Loan out: Declan Glass, midfielder (Derry City); Chris Mochrie, midfielder (Dunfermline Athletic); Adam Hutchinson, defender (Montrose); Jack Newman, goalkeeper (Peterhead); Kai Fotheringham, forward (Stirling Albion); Layton Bisland, defender (Cowdenbeath).
What a bizarre start to the season for the team that finished 4th last time around. We should have beaten them on the opening day but they then had a superb win and performance in the 1st euro tie v AZ Alkmaar. They collapsed to a 7-0 loss in the return leg and they have plummeted ever since losing lots of goals in the process.
The upshot was that media darling and much overhyped Jack Ross was punted and they really haven’t had the new manager bounce. It’s hard to know what way their season is going to go from here but signing unreliable guys like Watt may come back to bite them in their tangerine butts. Levitt was a good capture for them however his form seems to have dipped as the team in general have had a crisis of confidence.
In: Lawrence Shankland, forward (Beerschot, undisclosed); Orestis Kiomourtzoglou, midfielder (Heracles Almelo, undisclosed); Kye Rowles, defender (Central Coast Mariners, undisclosed); Zander Clark, goalkeeper (St Johnstone); Alan Forrest, midfielder (Livingston); Lewis Neilson, defender (Dundee United); Alex Cochrane, defender (Brighton & Hove Albion, loan to permanent, undisclosed); Jorge Grant, midfielder (Peterborough United, undisclosed); Scott Cowie, goalkeeper (Rangers); Ryan Duncan, midfielder (Rangers); Jaden Ferguson, forward (Lochee United).
Loan in: Stephen Humphrys, forward (Wigan Athletic).
Out: John Souttar, defender (Rangers); Aaron McEneff, midfielder (Perth Glory, undisclosed); Mihai Popescu, defender (Farul); Jamie Brandon, defender (Livingston); Ewan Simpson, midfielder (Aston Villa, undisclosed); Jamie Walker, midfielder (Bradford City, loan to permanent); Loic Damour, midfielder (Versailles); Chris Hamilton, midfielder (Dunfermline Athletic); Ryan Schiavone, forward (East Fife).
Loan ended: Ellis Simms, forward (Everton); Ben Woodburn, forward (Liverpool); Taylor Moore, defender (Bristol City).
Loan out: Cammy Logan, defender (Kelty Hearts); Scott McGill, midfielder (Kelty Hearts).
On paper the jambos look to have a decent squad but they might need it if their European adventures are an indication of what to expect I’ll never hear a bad word about Tynecastle as we win as many games there as we do at the Theatre of Pies, our record there defies belief.
I would still fancy Hearts to finish third as they have recruited well and look to have goals in their team although the long term injury to Boyce is a blow. He is a clever player who Kenny Shiels tried to bring here in his time at Killie. McKay has started the season very well and will be one of the top “assists” in the country whilst alien heid Shankland should get plenty of opportunities to continue his goalscoring form
In: Martin Boyle, forward (Al Faisaly, undisclosed); Marijan Cabraja, defender (Dinamo Zagreb, undisclosed); Jair Tavares, midfielder (Benfica); David Marshall, goalkeeper (Queens Park Rangers); Aiden McGeady, midfielder (Sunderland); Harry McKirdy, forward (Swindon Town, undisclosed); Lewis Miller, defender (Macarthur, undisclosed); Ewan Henderson, midfielder (Celtic, loan to permanent); Rocky Bushiri, defender (Norwich City, loan to permanent); Nohan Kenneh, midfielder (Leeds United); Kyle McClelland, defender (Rangers); Reuben McAllister, midfielder (Bristol City, undisclosed).
Loan in: Elie Youan, forward (St Gallen); Will Fish, defender (Manchester United); Mykola Kukharevych, forward (Troyes); Ryan Schofield, goalkeeper (Huddersfield Town); Momodou Bojang, forward (Rainbow).
Out: Josh Doig, defender (Hellas Verona, undisclosed); Paul McGinn, defender (Motherwell); Jamie Murphy, forward (St Johnstone); Drey Wright, forward (St Johnstone); Alex Gogic, midfielder (St Mirren, loan to permanent); Matt Macey, goalkeeper (Luton Town, undisclosed); Scott Allan, midfielder (Arbroath); David Mitchell, goalkeeper (Partick Thistle); Sean Mackie, defender (Falkirk); Connor Young, forward (Rangers, undisclosed).
Loan ended: Harry Clarke, defender (Arsenal); Sylvester Jasper, forward (Fulham); James Scott, forward (Hull City).
Loan out: Christian Doidge, forward (Kilmarnock); Runar Hauge, midfielder (Dundalk); Daniel Mackay, forward (Inverness Caledonian Thistle); Dylan Tait, midfielder (Arbroath); Allan Delferriere, midfielder (FC Edinburgh); Emmanuel Johnson, midfielder (FC Edinburgh); Jack Brydon, defender (FC Edinburgh); Joao Balde, midfielder (East Fife).
It's been an uncertain start for new boss Lee Johnston, another manager trying to put his own stamp on a team. I’m hoping he has made a huge error in loaning out Doidge who will come to Killie and score a barrowload…..well maybe not!!
They were poor in the League Cup and the natives are a wee bit restless as the league form is getting progressively worse
They brought in a couple of late signings and there is no doubt that the return of Boyle diving through the air at grounds all over Scotland was their key signing however he is now out for the season and that spells danger as they are bang average without him. I don’t think it’s going to be a season to remember for the hibees and they look nailed on for a mediocre mid table finish at best……Killie would settle for that!!
In: Alan Power, midfielder (St Mirren); Kerr McInroy, midfielder (Celtic); Liam Donnelly, midfielder (Motherwell); Gary Woods, goalkeeper (Aberdeen); Joe Wright, defender (Unattached).
Loan in: Christian Doidge, forward (Hibernian); Ben Chrisene, defender (Aston Villa); Ryan Alebiosu, defender (Arsenal); Lewis Mayo, defender (Rangers); Deji Sotona, forward (Nice); Zach Hemming, goalkeeper (Middlesbrough); Jeriel Dorsett, defender (Reading); Jordan Jones, midfielder (Wigan Athletic).
Out: Jason Naismith, defender (Queen's Park); Stephen McGinn, midfielder (Falkirk); Euan Murray, defender (Hartlepool United); Colin Doyle, goalkeeper (Bradford City); Chris Burke, midfielder (retired); Charlie McArthur, defender (Newcastle United, undisclosed); Brandon Haunstrup, defender (Cambridge United); Euan Deveney, defender (Airdrieonians); Justin Devenny, midfielder (Airdrieonians, loan to permanent); Tomas Brindley, midfielder (Forfar Athletic, loan to permanent); George O'Connor, goalkeeper (Stranraer); Harry Broun, goalkeeper (Dumbarton); Ross Smith, midfielder (Irvine Meadow); Josh Holmes, goalkeeper; Max Conway, defender; Rob Miller, defender; Lyall Holding, defender; Kenny Sloan, defender; Aiden McAuley, defender; Michael Mullen, forward; Jamie Kirkpatrick, forward; Ben Hughes, forward.
Loan out: Kyle Connell, forward (Raith Rovers); Curtis Lyle, goalkeeper (East Kilbride).
Loan ended: Daniel MacKay, midfielder (Hibernian); Dylan Tait, midfielder (Hibernian); Dean Campbell, midfielder (Aberdeen); Declan Glass, midfielder (Dundee United); Rumarn Burrell, forward (Middlesbrough).
Before the season started you would say there would be very little between 8 or 9 teams and that is proving to be the case. Having said that we have disappointed too much for my liking, lets not talk about the away record, and I’d grab 10th place just now if offered it.The noticeable thing on the recruitment is the high number of loans compared to most others and that is something that DM has already mentioned. It is not the way ahead if you want stability, consistency and continuity and hopefully we’ll gradually get players tied up on permanent deals that will allow DM to build us in the years ahead.
I’m not any of our summer signings have been a stick out so far and that has to be a worry for the manager and fans alike. Finally good luck to Charlie McArthur on his big move to Newcastle, it already seems to be going well for the lad and I hope to see him achieve big things in his career.
In: Stephen Kelly, midfielder (Rangers undisclosed); Scott Bitsindou, midfielder (Lierse); Phillip Cancar, defender (Western Sydney Wanderers); Jamie Brandon, defender (Heart of Midlothian); Kurtis Guthrie, forward (RoundGlass Punjab); Jack Hamilton, goalkeeper (Greenock Morton); Shamal George, goalkeeper (Colchester United, undisclosed); Dylan Bahamboula, midfielder (Oldham Athletic); Esmael Goncalves, forward (Sheikh Russel).
Out: Alan Forrest, midfielder (Heart of Midlothian); Craig Sibbald, midfielder (Dundee United); Max Stryjek, goalkeeper (Wycombe Wanderers, undisclosed); Carlo Pignatiello, midfielder (Greenock Morton); Gavin Reilly, forward (Queen of the South); Jack McMillan, defender (Partick Thistle); Keaghan Jacobs, midfielder (Arbroath); Marvin Bartley, midfielder (retired); Matej Poplatnik, forward.
Loan ended: Adam Lewis, defender (Liverpool); Caleb Chukwuemeka, forward (Aston Villa); Sebastian Soto, forward (Norwich City); Daniel Barden, goalkeeper (Norwich City); Odin Bailey, midfielder (Birmingham City).
Loan out: Josh Mullin, forward (Ayr United); Jaze Kabia, forward (Greenock Morton); Brian Schwake, goalkeeper (Greenock Morton); Jack Hamilton, forward (Hartlepool United); Harrison Clark, midfielder (Stirling Albion).
Many clubs wheel and deal among well known faces and bring in recognisable names, Livi are always a club who tend to have a different approach and buy from back street markets rather than at Tesco or Asda!! They have signed players from a couple of clubs I’ve never heard of but fair play to Martindale as he seems to get results. Stephen Kelly was a good signing as he was linked to a few clubs, he seems to be establishing himself as a key player in the midfield.
In: Paul McGinn, defender (Hibernian); Blair Spittal, midfielder (Ross County); Aston Oxborough, goalkeeper (Norwich City); Josh Morris, midfielder (Salford City).
Loan in: Stuart McKinstry, midfielder (Leeds United); Rolando Aarons, midfielder (Huddersfield Town); Louis Moult, forward (Burton Albion); Matt Penney, defender (Ipswich Town).
Out: Graham Alexander, manager; Kaiyne Woolery, forward (Sakaryaspor, undisclosed); Mark O'Hara, midfielder (St Mirren); Liam Donnelly, midfielder (Kilmarnock); Darragh O'Connor, defender (Greenock Morton); Lawton Green, goalkeeper (Greenock Morton); Jordan Roberts, midfielder (Stevenage); Justin Amaluzor, forward (Aldershot); PJ Morrison, goalkeeper (Falkirk); Cody McLeod, forward (Peterhead); Bailey Rice, midfielder (Rangers, undisclosed); Juhani Ojala, defender; Liam Grimshaw, midfielder; Victor Nirennold, defender.
Loan ended: Liam Shaw, midfielder (Celtic).
There seems to be far more outs than ins for Motherwell so I wonder if squad depth will be an issue when injuries strike in the middle of winter. They looked truly awful in Europe and had their Connahs Quay moment against Sligo……they even manager to lose both legs. That saw Alexander get his jotters although I don’t think he is a great loss.
Hammell has came in and the new manager bounce has been evident as they have had a good run of results with the exception of defeat to Scotland’s finest. It was a minor miracle they got into Europe as their record after new year was abysmal. They will be very lucky to be around the euro places this time and will probably be in the bulk of teams fighting between mid table and a relegation battle.
Much like Killie they don’t seem to have a new signing who has made a huge impact and I can see Hammell being fairly active in the transfer window to strengthen the squad. We head there on Dec.23rd so lets get a good crowd up and make it a Xmas to remember!!
In: Ridvan Yilmaz, defender (Besiktas, £3.4m); Ben Davies, defender (Liverpool, undisclosed); Rabbi Matondo, midfielder (Schalke 04, undisclosed); Antonio Colak, forward (PAOK, undisclosed); John Souttar, defender (Heart of Midlothian); Tom Lawrence, forward (Derby County);
Bailey Rice, midfielder (Motherwell, undisclosed); Cameron Bell, midfielder (Everton, undisclosed); Connor Young, forward (Hibernian, undisclosed); Cammy Cooper, forward (Partick Thistle, undisclosed); Kieron Willox, midfielder (Inverness Caledonian Thistle, undisclosed); Zak Lovelace, forward (Millwall).
Loan in: Malik Tillman, midfielder (Bayern Munich).
Out: Calvin Bassey, defender (Ajax, £19.6m); Joe Aribo, midfielder (Southampton, undisclosed); Cedric Itten, forward (Young Boys, undisclosed); Nikola Katic, defender (FC Zurich, undisclosed); Glenn Middleton, midfielder (Dundee United, undisclosed); Stephen Kelly, midfielder (Livingston, undisclosed); Ryan Duncan, midfielder (Heart of Midlothian); Leon Balogun, defender (Queens Park Rangers); Jake Hastie, midfielder (Hartlepool United); Kyle McClelland, defender (Hibernian); Scott Cowie, goalkeeper (Heart of Midlothian); Andy Firth, goalkeeper (Connah's Quay Nomads).
Loan ended: Aaron Ramsey, midfielder (Juventus); Amad Diallo, midfielder (Manchester United).
Loan out: Mateusz Zukowski, defender (Lech Poznan); Lewis Mayo, defender (Kilmarnock); Ben Williamson, midfielder (Dundee); Josh McPake, forward (Queen's Park); Tony Weston, forward (Partick Thistle); Cole McKinnon, midfielder (Partick Thistle); Juan Alegria, forward (Falkirk); Kai Kennedy, midfielder (Falkirk); Murray Miller, midfielder (Alloa Athletic); Jay Hogarth, goalkeeper (Alloa Athletic).
It's good to hear their gas is at a peep after being outclassed by their bigoted buddies but fear not, there will be a paranoia story in the rags soon to deflect attention away from it. They did incredibly well to reach the euro final last season especially with that squad and they were looking for a big impact from their big summer signings…..mmmmmmm.
Gio is now offski and at the time of writing it looks like Michael Beale is returning to Ibrox…..a massive gamble if you ask me.
They beat us comfortably at Ibrox but I wasn’t over impressed and the defeat at Parkhead suggests they have a lot of work to do to match Celtic.
Surely it’s time for another media campaign telling us they are both too big for Scotland and they are heading off to play in an intergalactic league that pays billions a week…..bring it on.
In: William Akio, forward (Valour); Victor Loturi, midfielder (Cavalry); Yan Dhanda, midfielder (Swansea City); Ben Purrington, defender (Charlton Athletic); Callum Johnson, defender (Portsmouth); Jordy Hiwula, forward (Doncaster Rovers); George Harmon, defender (Oxford City).
Loan in: Kazeem Olaigbe, midfielder (Southampton); Jake Eastwood, goalkeeper (Sheffield United); Owura Edwards, midfielder (Bristol City).
Out: Regan Charles-Cooke, forward (Eupen); Blair Spittal, midfielder (Motherwell); Coll Donaldson, defender (Falkirk); Harry Paton, midfielder; Ben Williamson, defender.
Loan ended: Joseph Hungbo, midfielder (Watford); Jake Vokins, defender (Southampton); Kayne Ramsay, defender (Southampton); Jack Burroughs, midfielder (Coventry City); Declan Drysdale, defender (Coventry City); Ashley Maynard Brewer, goalkeeper (Charlton Athletic).
Loan out: Adam MacKinnon, midfielder (Montrose); Matthew Wright, forward (Montrose); Logan Ross, goalkeeper (Lossiemouth).
Sportscene was hilarious for a couple of weeks with Malky bemoaning ref decisions that went against them, following the disgraceful refereeing performance that we had to suffer that is karma indeed. They somehow managed to beat us but that is there only home win so far and I’m not sure how they will enjoy this campaign.
They lost a couple of important players in the summer and they will need to be very lucky if the new players brought in can match the performances of Charles Cooke and Hungbo. Killie’s record up there is awful so they would be no loss to us, I do fancy they may continue to be in the heart of the relegation scrap.
In: Nicky Clark, forward (Dundee United, undisclosed); Graham Carey, midfielder (CSKA Sofia); William Sandford, midfielder (IFK Gothenburg); Andrew Considine, defender (Aberdeen); Jamie Murphy, forward (Hibernian);
Drey Wright, forward (Hibernian); Daniel Phillips, midfielder (Watford); Ryan McGowan, defender (Kuwait SC); Bobby Dailly, defender (Millwall).
Loan in: Remi Matthews, goalkeeper (Crystal Palace); Adam Montgomery, defender (Celtic); Alex Mitchell, defender (Millwall).
Out: Zander Clark, goalkeeper (Heart of Midlothian); Jamie McCart, defender (Rotherham United); Shaun Rooney, defender (Fleetwood Town); Callum Hendry, forward (Salford City); Craig Bryson, midfielder (Stenhousemuir); Liam Craig, midfielder (retired); Sam Denham, defender (East Fife); Jordan Northcott, forward (Brechin City); Jacob Butterfield, midfielder; Nadir Ciftci, forward; Dan Cleary, defender; Jahmal Hector Ingram, forward; Efe Ambrose, defender.
Loan ended: Glenn Middleton, midfielder (Rangers); Tom Sang, midfielder (Cardiff City).
Loan out: Eetu Vertainen, forward (Linfield); Charlie Gilmour, midfielder (Cove Rangers); Ross Sinclair, goalkeeper (Montrose); Alex Ferguson, midfielder (East Fife); Taylor Steven, forward (East Fife); Craig Hepburn, goalkeeper (Luncarty).
It was a poor start to the season and the manager looked as if he might be on his way however they managed to string a few results together and have climbed up the table From what I’ve seen they are poor and it’s a reflection on how tight things are and the huge difference a few results can make.
We beat them at RP and VAR cost us away from home where they scored early then pretty much sat in confident we wouldn’t get past them…..not a bad tactic to be fair v Killie. Clark has been a decent signing for them and his goals may be vital for the rest of the season.
In: Trevor Carson, goalkeeper (Dundee United, undisclosed); Declan Gallagher, defender (Aberdeen); Alex Gogic, midfielder (Hibernian, loan to permanent); Mark O'Hara, midfielder (Motherwell); Ryan Strain, defender (Maccabi Haifa); Keanu Baccus, midfielder (Western Sydney Wanderers); Toyosi Olusanya, forward (Middlesbrough); Jonah Ayunga, midfielder (Morecambe).
Out: Alan Power, midfielder (Kilmarnock); Matt Millar, defender (Macarthur); Jak Alnwick, goalkeeper (Cardiff City); Conor McCarthy, defender (Barnsley); Kyle McAllister, midfielder (Forest Green Rovers); Josh Jack, forward (Forfar Athletic); Sam Ellis, defender (Stranraer, loan to permanent); Mark Donaldson, midfielder (Cowdenbeath).
Loan ended: Connor Ronan, midfielder (Wolverhampton Wanderers); Jordan Jones, midfielder (Wigan Athletic).
Loan out: Daniel Finlayson, defender (Linfield); Lewis Jamieson, forward (Airdrieonians); Dean McMaster, midfielder (Airdrieonians); Kieran Offord, forward (Alloa Athletic); Aiden Gilmartin, forward (Cowdenbeath); Ewan Thomson, defender (Cowdenbeath).
The buddies have had a decent start to the season with their home form being excellent. They beat Celtic and drew with Rangers but strangely it is our only away point and it’s a game we should have won. Like many other clubs the away form has been less impressive but they have accrued enough points and momentum that I don’t see them slipping to the nether regions.
Unlike other clubs their summer recruitment seems to have been good and is probably the reason for their good start. Players like Gallagher, Baccus, Strain, O’Hara and Ayunga are all regular starters, still don’t think we should have released Mark O’Hara all those years ago!!!
So there is a quick rundown of our much maligned league and as we sit in late November enduring a World Cup break the table has a familiar look to it. At the top Celtic are 9 points clear and the title is theirs to lose as the other arse cheek look decidedly average.
The fight for third place should go to Hearts with Hibs looking sub standard whilst Aberdeen are ok but no better than that. Teams like Livi and St Mirren are taking their turn to challenge for the Euro places however a poor run of results would see them plummet back into the bottom half.
At the squeaky bum part of the table the Arabs Ross County and the not so mighty Killie are looking fave to fight it out although there are a few teams above us who could still join us. I have to say I’ve not been impressed with the standard of the league in general and a few decent signings in the January window could make a season changing difference to many teams.
From a Killie point of view our home form has kept us away from the foot of the table but we seriously need to improve. The manager has to re assess how he selects the team and how he sets up the team. Our lack of creativity and goals is shocking and the transfer window may just make or break our first season back in the top league. We let DM bring in his own recruitment man in Russ Richardson so now is the time for him to earn his corn.
I’m delighted that Killie made it straight back up after our depressing relegation but we sure have picked a helluva season to return. You will see my anti Var rants in every issue and as things stand that abomination will hit Scottish football sometime soon. You will see a wee article in this issue but it’s the winter world cup that will occupy all the mid winter headlines.
We will play fixtures up until 17th November, Hibs at home then we step aside to let the WC take centre stage before returning on 17th December to face Hearts at Tynecastle which happens to be one day before the WC final on 18th December……madness.
There is just so much wrong with the World Cup being held in Qatar that I don’t know where to begin. Here is some background info for you that we came across on t’internet:
InDecember2010,Fifa’spresident,SeppBlatter,announcedtheshockdecisionto awardtheworld’sbiggestsportingtournamenttoQatar.SelectedovertheUS,South Korea,JapanandAustralia,itwillbethesmallestnationevertohosttheevent,with apopulationof2.8million(andjustover330,000citizens).Qatar’steamhadnever qualifiedforaWorldCup,andthecountryhadnodiscerniblefootballingtradition.It hadnosuitablestadiumseither,whichmeantthateightvenueshadtobeupgraded orbuiltfromscratch.
Thetournamentcouldnotreasonablybeplayedinthesummer,whentemperatures averagearound40°C.SoinsteaditwilltakeplaceinthecoolermonthsofNovember andDecember,disruptingmostoftheworld’sdomesticcompetitions.Qatarisalso anabsolutemonarchy,withapoorhumanrightsrecord;andithasoftenbeen criticisedforexploitativelabourpracticesanddangerousworkingconditions.
Eversince2010,accusationsofcorruptionhaveswirledaroundthe2022bidding process.ItwasallegedthatthedisgracedFifavicepresidentJackWarnerandhis familywerepaid$2mbyacompanylinkedtoQatar’scampaign.In2014,The
SundayTimespublishedacacheofdocumentsitsaidwereproofofQatar’splotto “buytheWorldCup” allegedlyorchestratedbyMohamedbinHammam,aformer Fifavicepresidentandthecountry’stopfootballofficial.Itissaidthat$5m(£3m) waspaidtoFifaofficialsinreturnfortheirsupport.BinHammamandthoseaccused ofacceptingbribesdenythecharges,butbroaderanti-corruptioninvestigations againstFifafollowed;nearly30peoplehavebeenconvictedasaresultofaUS departmentofjusticeprobe.BlatterandhisformercolleagueMichelPlatiniwere forcedoutoftheirjobs,andlastmonthwereindictedonfraudcharges.
Qatarreliesheavilyonmigrantlabourers,whomakeup95%ofitsworkers.Over thepastdecade,tensofthousandsofworkers,mostlyfromtheIndiansubcontinent, havebuiltWorldCupinfrastructurerangingfromstadiumstonewhotelsto transportsystems.Theywerelargelyemployedusingthekafalaorsponsorship system,underwhichvisasareobtainedbyspecificQatariemployers meaningthat, untilrecently,ifworkerswantedtochangejobs,orevenleavethecountry,they neededtheiremployer’spermission.Thissystemwasripeforabuse;atitsworst,it hasbeendescribedasakintoslavery.AmnestyInternationalhasdetailedextensive maltreatmentofforeignworkers,includingforcedlabour;salariesbeingunderpaid; crampedanddirtyaccommodation;andworkersbeingthreatenediftheycomplain. Workingconditionsarealsoreportedlyoftenunsafe.
Earlierthisyear,TheGuardiancompiledfiguresfromIndia,Pakistan,Nepal, BangladeshandSriLankaandfoundthatmorethan6,500migrantsfromthose countrieshaddiedinQatarsince2010.Inparticular,therehavebeenreportsof labourerswhoworkedforWorldCupprojectsdyingandsufferingseriousinjury becauseofheatstrokeafterworkinginswelteringconditions.Studieshavefound increasedratesofchronickidneydiseaseamongNepalimigrantworkersreturned fromQatar,linkedtoworkinglonghoursinsummerwithinsufficientdrinking water.Someoftheseworkerswillnowrequiredialysisseveraltimesaweekforthe restoftheirlives.
SeveralcountrieshaveregisteredconcernsoverQatar’shumanrightsrecord.The mostvocaloppositionhasbeeninNorway,whoseFootballFederationheldavote onwhethertoboycotttheeventafteracampaignbysomeofthecountry’sleading clubsandfangroups.Itultimatelydecidedagainstthemove;butNorway’splayers havewornT-shirtsbearingsloganssuchas“Humanrights,onandoffthepitch” aheadofqualifyinggames.CountriesincludingGermany,Denmarkandthe Netherlandshavetakensimilarsteps.England’splayershavesaidtheyare discussinghowtorespond.Yetthecondemnationhasbeenbynomeansuniversal,
andmanyappearreadytocashinonthetournament;DavidBeckhamrecently signeda£150mdealtobeanambassadorforthetournament.
SeppBlatterhassincedescribedthedecisiontogiveQatartheWorldCupasa “mistake” butitwillgoaheadevenso;some$10bnhasbeenspentonstadiums andnearly$300bnonrelatedinfrastructure.FifaandQatarinsistthatthe tournamentwillleavealastingsociallegacy.Criticsarguethiswillbeskindeep:that manyemployersignorethenewlaws;andpointoutthatthoughLGBTfansarein theorywelcome,homosexualityremainsillegal.Despiteallthecontroversy,Qatar stillstandstobenefit,saysNicholasMcGeehanofthehumanrightsgroup FairSquare.“ForeveryfanwhoisconcernedaboutmigrantworkersandLGBT issues,thereareprobablyanother40or50peoplewhoareuncriticallyconsuming PRcontentthatpresentsQatarasaluxuriousdestinationwithfive starhotelsand camelrides.”
Sothereyouhaveit,theworld’sshowpiecefootballingtournamentisheadedfora countrywithadisgracefulhumanrightsrecord.Thousandsofmigrantworkershave diedjustsostadiumscanbebuiltandwhoknowshowmanywillbeliningtheir pocketsonthebackofitall…..trulydisgustingbutIdoubtanylessonswillbe learnedastoomanyaremakingtoomuchwongaforittochange.
If you are a loyal Hippo reader since pre Victorian times you’ll know we love throwing in articles from other Killie fans to see their take on Scotland’s finest. Here is a fine article we got from t’internet about that famous night:
To enjoy the feast, you must first experience the famine.
That’s me misquoting Chick Young, BBC Sport Scotland’s football reporter, a man much-maligned but one who seemingly has a soft spot for the wee teams and community clubs who win little in the way of silverware and league titles, but who continually go to to toe with the commercial nous of the big two Glasgow clubs.
In something of a role reversal, it was my team Kilmarnock who were considered the big team, the big scalp, this season. Relegated a year ago in front of 500 socially-distanced supporters, we’ve huffed and puffed in a Championship where we were expected to take the game to our under funded and under supported opponents each week and sweep them aside in a display of breathless, free flowing, attacking football.
I’d say each Saturday, but, being the big team, many of our games were televised on the Friday night; games in which we regularly self-imploded by contriving to lose an early goal and then frustratingly fail to break down the opposition. Twenty minutes away to our bitter rivals Ayr aside, where we were three up before anyone’s pie had gone cold, breathless, free-flowing, attacking football was rather thin on the ground.
And yet, we found ourselves top of the league and by Friday night we would wrap up the title if we could only beat Arbroath, the tiny part time team who had continually out fought, out thought, out played and out pointed every other team in the league.
Managed by the ‘charismatic’ and ever quotable old school manager Dick Campbell, Arbroath were everyone’s second favourite team. Just as Scotland go head to head with Ukraine soon in a match that no one outside of Scotland wants to see Scotland win, Killie found themselves in the position of being the panto villains, the party spoilers, the most hated team in the country.
If you weren’t wearing blue and white stripes, you were wishing and hoping that wee Arbroath could pull off the (not really a) shock required. In our three previous encounters, Kilmarnock had failed to score a single goal and had they scored one more than us on Friday night, they’d have leapfrogged us into first place with one game remaining. Everyone; the BBC commentators, Rangers fans, neutrals, all wanted an Arbroath fairytale win.
Arbroath did their bit, aided by a poor referee who saw nothing wrong in a bad tackle on the edge of the Arbroath box, and, as the Kilmarnock players remonstrated, an Arbroath player ran the length of the pitch, squared the ball sideways and a cool tap in saw the perfect conclusion to their counterattacking breakaway. Killie 0 1 Arbroath.
The game was turgid, Killie dragged into playing long-ball football and frustrated by a team who slowed the game down at every opportunity, wasted time and employed every level of shithousery known in the name of anti-football football. Effective, though. Outside of East Ayrshire, the country celebrated and dreamed. By half time, the fairytale was within touching distance, but a fired up Killie would sweep aside any notions of upset in a fly-past and one-sided second half. We left it late. Very late.
Wee Burke came off the bench. Off-form since being injured early in the season, this was rumoured to be the veteran’s last game. If so, he kept his best performance for a night when 10,000 home fans would be chanting his name in delight at the drive, determination and dribbling skills he had in his last twenty minutes locker. He sent over dangerous corner after dangerous corner and, after Shaw had seen his powerful downwards header sclaffed off the line,Taylor followed it up and slammed it into the roof of the net.
The 80th minute equaliser was met with an explosion of noise heard as far away as deepest, southest Ayrshire. One goal wasn’t enough to win the league though. Continual Killie pressure prevailed. The Arbroath goalie was playing the game of his life, clearly injured yet turning shots round the post, over the bar, like Dino Zoff in his prime. Real Roy of the Rovers stuff. We battered and battered his goal. A winner would surely come.
It did. Late in the 89th minute, a beautifully weighted long ball down the right saw Lafferty coolly control and pass it in one sweeping movement. Shaw, our number 9 controlled on the edge of the box and, as the clock turned to 90 minutes, laid it off for the on rushing Alston, an attacking midfielder who for most of the season has come in for an unfair amount of stick. Alston shifted the ball smartly from left foot to right and, without breaking stride, stroked it home. Bottom right corner, the keeper static.
Alston’s top was off and windmilling wildly above his head before the ball had even nestled properly in the net. The entire team, the subs behind the goal, even Hemming our goalie, displaying a Bolt-like sprinting ability to run the length of our hated plastic pitch, piled on Alston the hero.
Watching back on the telly, I spotted a former pupil, a ball boy for the night, right in the middle of the celebrations. Scenes, as they say. A real, scripted, Hollywood ending, even if, for most of the country, the wrong team won in the end.
Grim fairytale avoided.
HIPPO SAYS - Great article Craig and isn’t it incredible to look at the Championship table now and see the Lichties in relegation trouble. That night does seem like 10 years ago now but it will long live in the memory and go down as one of the great days/nights in our famous history.
Another great old snap of our famous ground and it highlights the large amount of ground at the back of the main stand and Moujike Bod end where our training ground was.
This was takenon the same day as we last scored a goal from open play and if you look hard enough you can seeme selling the fanzine before watching Rory making his debut!!
