Calm Down? We need an advert!

IT looks like our appeal last week did not have the desired effective and the crowd for the Aberdeen game was only marginally busier than usual. The problem is possibly that in this column and the website we are preaching to the converted and for the crowd to increase significantly we have to look to other avenues to bring the punters back.

It has to be said, and we are not having a dig at any individual here, that the general consensus is that the club simply did not do enough to advertise the game. Possibly the owner announcing the fact that he was not going to invest any more cash in the club and was willing to make way for another investor if required left some of the staff a bit deflated and wondering what the point was, but to be fair that would be selling them short. It is most likely down to the old adage that it takes money to make money and advertising does not come cheap. Then again, can we afford not to?

Apathy is the word being used all too frequently at the moment and we have to do something quickly to halt the slide in attendances and try and get people interested again. We have already spoken at length about the failings of the SPL and those issues will still need addressed over time if our national sport is ever to get back to the level it was once at, but maybe if we can get our own house in order first then we can look at the big picture later.

It was good to see Iain Durrant getting a big write up in a national the other day. Okay, so they are always looking for a Rangers angle, but he works for us now and is seemingly quite happy so we really should utilise him in the press more often. They say any publicity is good publicity, in which case we should make big Sammy the new public relations guru for getting the Park Hotel on the front pages…and re-think the half time draw.

Newspaper coverage is all well and good (great in fact Mr Woodison, honest) but maybe it is time to broaden our horizons a little and look into advertising our wares on the one eyed monster that sits in virtually every living room in the country. Scottish Television are always banging on about micro-regions and how cheap it is to take out an advert, what is the harm in giving it a try? Mind you, going on last Saturday’s performance we may need Steven Spielberg to spice things up a bit!

Free Kids Tickets

You may remember a few weeks back we told you about the re-introduction of the free kids’ ticket scheme. The Kilmarnock FC Supporters’ Association has taken it on board to liaise with the club to distribute the tickets. The scheme started at the Aberdeen game with several schools and boys clubs taking advantage and more will do the same this weekend. The tickets are available to any schools, boys clubs or youth organisations and obtaining the tickets could not be easier.

Just call Sandy (Hippo) on 0774 771 8754 and give the number of tickets required, the name of your organisation, a contact name with telephone number, and the game you wish to attend. We will pass on the details to the club who will get back in touch with further details. We would urge everyone to spread the word and ensure as many kids as possible get the chance to visit the Theatre of Pies.

Hippo 38 on Sale

The fanzine goes from strength to strength thanks to the loyal support of the Killie faithful. Issue 38 will be on sale this weekend against Dundee United but please note this will be the only home game where it is on sale. The fixture scheduling is not kind to the fanzine industry as we mainly rely on sales at home games. Huge thanks to Colin’s General Stores, Nursery Avenue, Kilmarnock who have started to stock the Hippo. The busy wee store next to the old bus garage is a hive of activity and is keen to support the local community in general. Get along to Colin’s if you can’t get the Hippo at this week’s home game. Issue 38 will give you all the latest on the take over situation and gives you the chance to win Killie gift vouchers.

Kadikoi Tartan Army

The lads at the Kadikoi have had great success since starting their own wee branch of the Tartan Army. Scotland face Norway in a vital World Cup qualifier on Saturday, October 9 and with Killie out of action why not have a day out at the national stadium. The bus leaves the Kadikoi at 1.15pm, call the pub on 01563 534196 to book your seat.

Killie Hospitality

We do not really want to moan about how disappointed we were with the team last Saturday (well not too much), so let’s just hope we bounce straight back this week against the Arabs. The performance on the park was poor but we still managed to have a top day out despite the result. We were invited to the Park Suite by Rab and Colin from Kilmarnock UPVC who managed to get a wee break from their rapidly growing business. We were greeted on arrival by Killie legend Ray Montgomerie who is not only the new boss of Saltcoats Vics; he’s also been forced to pull the jersey back on. Monty was telling us he has the old hunger back and is loving his time in the junior ranks.

At the table the tales of watching Killie around Europe were highly entertaining but we can’t repeat them as it’s more than our lives are worth! Big Craw, Kenny and Beryl have followed Killie the world over and certainly had stuff to write home about. The Park Suite was only around half full and that has to be a worry for the club in our financial mess. The Dons game was high profile and if we can only sell half the seats for that game how many will we sell when we play the likes of Livingston or Inverness? The food was lovely and the lack of other fans meant the drink flowed faster than normal. A day’s hospitality isn’t everyone’s cup of tea but if you have a few quid to spare get in touch with the club and treat yourself to a day out, you won’t be disappointed…and take it from Hippo, there is no shame in being home in time for the Lottery.
 

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