Stripped for Action

WE got a sneak preview of next season's new strips the other day and were suitable impressed. The shorts next season will be blue again with two 3" white vertical stripes on the outside of either leg. The top has stripes the same thickness as the current strip and it has a round neck with no collar to speak of. The fabric is of the 'stretchy' variety coupled with two white 'netting' panels below the arms and one at the tail of the shirt.

The embroidered badge is dead centre below a TFG logo but of course there was no sponsors logo as yet. McLelland Cheese are said to be very keen to renew the contract but there is another MAJOR company in contention, details of which will be announced in the near future if all goes well. We hope it does, from what we hear it could be a major boost to our bank balance.
 

The away strip is a total step away from anything we've had recently, unless you count the 'dad’s army' home strip, as it is all white. There are 1" wide purple flashes that run from the neckline to under the arms and there is a purple braid on the shorts...with the material and the collar being similar to the home top described above. It is very reminiscent of a Real Madrid top and pretty trick looking...certainly a lot better than the all purple Anderlecht style top that TFG had produced as a sample…that was minging!

The away top will go on sale first for a change, hopefully being released in time for the final game of the season. The club had no plans for Luci Victoria to model for the strip launch but maybe they'll ask here now such a fuss has been made! We are unsure when the home top will come out but it should be before the Kilmarnock Fair. The ‘lucky’ red kit will be held in reserve as a third option again.

Looking Ahead

AS we approach the final quarter of the season the club will be well down the road of planning for season 2004/2005. Many lessons need to be learned, both by Killie and by the SPL to help make the league a better spectacle for the paying public. The financial side of the game still dominates the back pages and unless the SPL puts suitable measures in place we'll have farcical situations for years to come. Administration is a serious issue and the punishment dished out to the clubs needs to match the crime.

The recent decision to award Setanta the live SPL coverage is another issue that could have a far reaching effect on our game. Killie's crowd against Hearts was 5,297 but many would have taken the armchair option and watched it live on the BBC. That won't be an option next season unless you are prepared to fork out for your ‘TV Season Ticket’ where the vast majority of the games shown will involve the old firm. At this stage there isn't even a TV highlights package on terrestrial TV (council telly to you and me) therefore it appears the only way to see Killie next season will be to head for the Theatre of Pies. We'd love to see the fans flood back but realistically the club has a massive task simply to keep the current numbers never mind get many more.

With this in mind the club has to ensure that, as far as possible, the product on the park is entertaining and the price of watching Killie is attractive and affordable. As we stated in last week's column the signing of Eric Skora would go a long way to convincing many fans that the club is giving them what they want. The price of going to games is a huge issue and was the main reason for running the highly successful ‘Killie 125’ campaign last year. We recently attended a meeting with the club and we continued to point out the importance of giving fans genuine value for money.

We fully understand that times are hard for all clubs but without a decent hardcore support the club may struggle financially for many years to come. We don't yet have the new season ticket prices but they should be announced shortly. It looks as if there will still be a ‘buy one get one free’ option therefore we'd urge every single current season ticket holder to start looking for someone just now who doesn't have a current season but would pair-up for next season. The club will also target families and we're told to expect a fantastic price for the family tickets in the Moffat Stand. Fans should also be aware of the monthly payment option that allows you to pay your ticket over a 12 month period.

It's also the club's intention to market the offer far more vigorously than last year. We suggested a road show idea last year and it looks like this will be adopted - look out for KFC visiting a location near you in the months ahead. There will also be many changes on the playing front with a large number of players out of contract in the summer. We'd urge the board to think long term where possible as the signing of guys like Skora would provide financial gains in the long run. Of course if the management team wants to name some summer signing targets we'd suggest this column is the place to do it!!

Fat Boys...eh...Fat!

IT had to happen sometime and as we approach the half way mark in the Fat Boys Slim Challenge we’ve hit the dreaded wall. Bluehand managed a respectable 3lbs, Swanny did a disappearing act again, oboab was last seen somewhere in Spain but has reputedly shed a few chins…but the Bellfield Belly and I failed to lose a single ounce!

After spending another week eating less than the wean’s rabbit (those sunflower seeds are starting to look tasty) and going to the gym five days on the bounce, the Howard scales still refused to budge. To say we were a bit scunnered is putting it mildly. Mind you, we’ve still got six weeks to go and plenty of dosh to make so we’re not giving up yet, there’s always starvation to fall back on. Talking of the gym, we realised it was going to be a tough task to be our personal trainer for the duration, but not that tough…they’ve now promoted Claire to be the manager!

The reaction we continue to receive from the Killie faithful is fantastic and provides us with the support we need to see this challenge through. We've received several cheques through the post and numerous fans, many of who we've never met, walk up to us at the home games and hand over their money. Many thanks to Mark C, Mr J Simpson, Mr McGrady and the others who didn't want their names mentioned. We'd like to give a special mention to young Killie fan Kieran Jeffers who along with his papa handed over a healthy sum. Thanks wee man we hope to see you at Rugby Park for many years to come.

There were two new major sponsors this week as well; Killie diehard Tetley’s new windows company ‘Kilmarnock UPVC Ltd’ weighed in with a hefty donation as did holiday firm Millennium Vacations International….cheers to them both. Donate £100 to the challenge and join our ever increasing list of sponsors – local companies putting something back into the community: Klin Homes, J.R.D. Partnership (Accountants), Fortress Security, Goldsmiths, Millennium Beauty, The Cut Above, Duncan McLean Solicitors, Ritchie (UK) Ltd. & Fitness First.

Tartan Shorts

KILLIE’S very own Tartan Army bus is gearing up to leave for Hampden once again on Wednesday 31 March to see Scotland take on Romania. After the wipe-out in Wales it looks as if the national team could do with all the support we can muster so if you want a seat on the bus call Colin Boyd on 01563 533251 or Rab Robb on 01563 544217.

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