Killie Horse Wins Again

LAST week was a good one for most Killie fans with two wins on the trot (no pun intended) but it was especially good for Killie daft Kevin Scoular and Bob Martin. As we told you earlier in the season, the two lads own racehorse Trisons Star along with their mates Gerry and Willie. The horse has done them proud all season but excelled himself last week at the Perth festival. With the jockey sporting the blue and white stripes, Trisons Star romped home at the rewarding odds of 33/1 in the ‘Future Champions’ National Hunt Novices Hurdle.

The announcer at the end of the race was heard announcing the horse was carrying the Kilmarnock football colours.
Not only was there the £8,000 prize money, but Kevin was seen availing himself to plenty at 50/1 with ‘fearless’ Freddie Williams the bookmaker. Various betting shops in the Kilmarnock area were reporting some hefty payouts. We don’t know many poor bookies so it was good to see some punters getting their own back! When we caught up with the lads at the weekend they were still on a high and we could still sense a faint aroma of champagne in the air. Needless to say we took the phone call about the race too late and B&H invested the princely sum of zilch on the horse - never mind we're sure Trisons Star will have plenty of more success in the future so watch out in the nag rags for its next race.

Best Killie Moments

WITH all the bad publicity we have been getting recently on the front pages of the national press it's good to see the fans on Killiefc.com still trying to be positive. The message board has a current thread asking everyone about their favourite Killie moment. There is a wide range of occasions being put forward and they all bring back some fantastic memories. Of course, the older generation will never forget the league win in 1965 and the 1997 final was epic, but there have been numerous other games that will never be forgotten.

Several fans have mentioned the semi-final in 1997 as being equally memorable to the final. After the 1-0 over Dundee United at Easter Road the reality hit home that we had at last made a Scottish Cup final again, something many of us simply never imagined. The quarter final win at Cappielow is also quoted, probably because after that win many fans started thinking the dream might just become a reality.

In Europe there have been some great trips with Kaiserslautern a favourite amongst many Killie lads and lassies. The abiding memory for many was the tremendous vocal backing of the Killie fans and the fantastic rapport that quickly developed with the German fans. That special relationship still carries on today with many Killie fans keeping in touch with their German counterparts - just ask Hughie, Rab and the lads in the Auld Hoose. The Czech Republic is also fondly remembered…blazing sunshine and 19p a pint at some pubs in Olomouc, and who can forget the mad disco/aeroplane outside the stadium.

Notable mentions can also be given to a few great away wins at Ibrox, an Ian Durrant inspired 6-0 win away at Dunfermline and gubbing Raith Rovers at Rugby Park with Gus McPherson between the sticks. There's also big D's famous winner against Celtic in the Scottish Cup replay or, on a sadder note, that day at Palmerston when the good lord Willie bagged five but we still went down.

On a personal note, one day out we'll never forget was the final day of the season at Easter Road in our first season back in the big league. All the good times we've had in the last 12 years would probably never have happened had we got relegated that day. Tommy Burns was in charge as over 6,000 Killie fans travelled to the capital praying Killie wouldn't be one of the three teams to go down that season. Some fans simply couldn't watch the nail-biting action whilst many had radios in the ears checking on how St Johnstone were doing. Others were that puggled they were watching the bowling in the opposite direction and wondering why the game was so slow (stand up Davie Morris!)

Thankfully we secured a no score draw and that saw us survive by the skin of our teeth. The atmosphere at full time was unforgettable and the sight of thousands of Killie fans marching up Easter Road brought a tear to the eye. We celebrated that night as if we'd won the league but the importance of that day should never be forgotten. Great memories indeed and never forget things change very quickly in the beautiful game. We predict that before long we'll be enjoying some more memorable Killie games and hopefully the fans will come flooding back.

Have a Ball

AS USUAL with the season drawing to a close the Player of the Year dances etc. will be getting into full swing. As you have no doubt read previously, The Killie Ball 2005, organised by your two fat friends B&H, has sold out with extra tables having to be added to try and accommodate as many people as possible. We could probably have doubled the 350 that will be there but there were no local venues that could hold more than the Grand Hall so our sincerest apologies to all those who we’ve had to disappoint.

However, if you didn’t manage to get a ticket for the Killie Ball, that’s no reason to park your back side in the house over the next few weeks. We spoke to Colin Fraser last week and he tells us that there are still tickets available for the 40th anniversary dance the club are holding in the Park Hotel. You better be quick though as Colin told us that there are over 100 tickets sold already so call him on 01563 545312 to reserve yours now.

We went to the Young Killie dance in the Park Hotel the other week and had an excellent night. A big up to Susan and Liz (who always keep us informed of what the Young Killie are up to) and the other committee members who obviously put in a great deal of effort to ensure everything went without a hitch. Bar the inconvenience of having to read out a club statement regarding the contents of the following day’s newspapers, which of course the club and the Young Killie had no control over, everything went smoothly and some much needed funds were raised. We will make every effort to be back next year and wish them continued success in their endeavours.

If you are organising a Player of the Year dance for your supporters’ club, or organising any other Killie related event, then drop us a line at the Standard office or call Baz (07832 295860) or Hippo (07747 718754) and we will give it a push in the column.

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