B&H On Tour

Killie changed tack this season and Northern Ireland got the boot in favour of a Northern England pre-season tour. It was certainly a lot cheaper for the fans and we traveled in numbers down to Gateshead and Carlisle. The Durham game was only watched by a few, however, as it was announced after many had already arranged time off work and travel plans. There were seven of us left from The Howard, well a few more if you count Tetley and the lads, but we met loads of other Killie fans en route including Travel Club stalwarts Muiry and Burnett and several of their crew. We set out early doors (for us)…

FRIDAY 11.00am - Roll Call in the pub (literally!) as we meet up for a few beers and some Scooby-snacks before heading to the train station. It's no surprise to see a few cans of lager in the

luggage but we are concerned at the food - salad rolls? What's all that about? The train pulls into Kilmarnock Station at quarter to twelve and it's good to see some well known Killie faces will be accompanying us on the jaunt.

FRIDAY 3.00pm - The troops are in good heart as we celebrate the end of the close season but as the train rolls towards Newcastle we realise that we don't really know where our digs are. Someone mentions that it's Gateshead and as we stop at the Metrocentre station a quick decision is made that we should get off here. The seven fatties march off the front of the train only to be advised by the guard we need to get off at the next stop which is Newcastle. You can picture the scene as we walk 20 yards, jump on the back door of the train and sheepishly stand next to the guards as the rest of the passengers have a good chuckle.

FRIDAY 7.00pm - The Schooner pub beside the ground is the pre-match watering hole and we start talking to some Gateshead fans and officials. They have put on a big buffet for the fans and we are welcomed like long lost friends. The buffet is a godsend for the seven salad dodgers and we head along to the ground with "Invincibile fever" the order of the day. The opposition may not be too strong but Killie play well with Di Giacomo looking to be back to his best and Killie secure their first 8-1 victory since the Meadowbank game. A new song is born with "Tie Me Kangaroo Down Sport" boomed out with the words changed to "Danny Invincibile's great mate" and the new signing responds with two second half goals. So far so good!

FRIDAY 11.30pm - After more great hospitality at the Schooner, and after woofing down the spread laid on for the Gateshead players who never turn up, we head for Buffalo Joes in the city centre. That's the pub where the Celtic players had a stooshie with photographers last year and it wasn't looking good for Hippo. The bouncers initially refuse him entrance for being "too fat" much to the amusement of the queue of punters - dont worry Bluehand, Hippo predicts that revenge will be sweet! The place is mobbed, many of them Killie fans and the Buffalo Girls dancing on the bar makes the pricey drinks all worthwhile. A great night is had by all and we head back to the digs in good spirit but just a little tired!

SATURDAY 11.45am - After awaking to the sounds of Rolf Harris's "Sun Arise" (there's a definite thread developing here), we head back into the city centre for the train to Carlisle with more sore heads to the fore. A few refreshments then we head to Carlisle hoping our unbeaten run continues at Brunton Park. A sizeable Killie support has made the journey and after a few shaky moments Stevie Fulton settles the nerves with an excellent strike. New lad Nish gets his fourth goal in three games and although Carlisle rally in the closing moments we secure another well deserved victory. There's no doubt the opposition over the three days is not the strongest but winning is a good habit and hopefully that will show in the coming weeks.

SATURDAY 8.30pm - Another few beers and another train back to Killie with the Aussie anthem being chanted every five minutes. All in all a very enjoyable couple of days down south with the squad looking in decent shape. There's no doubt Portsmouth and Sunderland will be a far bigger test but we seem well covered in most areas and the manager's hardest job could be who to leave out - roll on August 9th.

Hippo Returns

Another new season means its fanzine time and issue 26 will be out for the Sunderland game this Saturday plus at the Open Day on Sunday. The plan was to get it out before the Portsmouth game but the B&H Tour put paid to that. Interviews are always a popular feature in the Hippo and this issue includes the best yet with Killie legend Bobby Fleeting answering the questions. Bobby gives his forthright views on all things Killie - it's one not to miss and it still only costs you a quid.

Season Ticket News

You'll be glad to know that the club have effectively passed the break even stage for season ticket sales (not including a potential shortfall in pay-at-the-gate fans) but they've not yet reached the ideal target set by themselves which was around 6,000. We are all hoping for as many as 8,000 though and with the 90,000-leaflet drop next week and the pre-season friendly coverage (and another wrap round in the Standard) we are hopeful that we can achieve that.

As for the 'walk-up' revenue...it stands to reason that there will be a loss from the home fans, but please remember that the majority of the 'walk-up' cash is generated at the away turnstiles as they, of course, are all paying. Guaranteeing bums on seats is a far better option than relying on punters who may or may not, in the long run, continue shelling out their hard earned dough should the on-the-field product deteriorate or the heavens open.

Potentially away fan walk-up revenue may increase as well this season if games are marketed properly and a better atmosphere entices more fans of other clubs to travel as well...but we do not need to rely on that to make the campaign a success. As that old line in the Costner movies goes "If we build it...they will come! The fact that season ticket sales were falling by 10% every year would have meant that we would only have had around 2,700 season ticket holders this year, and it wont be long before we double that figure. You have to admit that it's going to be quite a turnaround percentage wise!

As the new season approaches the publicity increases - along with the number of tickets purchased. The share centre is getting busier day by day and it's very encouraging with the first league game at the Theatre of Pies over two weeks away. Privilege seat holders are reminded that tickets must be purchased by Thursday 31st July if they want to guarantee the same seat. If you're looking for a blue voucher or for any information give us a call on 0774 771 8754.

Read the B&H column in the Kilmarnock Standard every week