Fun Run Sunday

AFTER weeks of doing absolutely no training and eating high cholesterol we’re in a state of blind panic for this Sunday’s fun run. With all proceeds going to youth development via Fifty for the Future we can’t let anyone down. Most of the contestants will be timed by stop watch however a calendar will be on hand to check when we eventually finish! Scotland’s brightest young footballing talent, ‘Kid Goals’ Naismith, will be doing the run as well, and he has promised not to lap us more than twice.

It’s not too late for anyone who still wants to get involved – phone the gym on 01563 545345 or call in at the gym to pick up your forms. We’re still trying to fill up our sponsor sheets so if you can’t do the run why not sponsor someone you know – like us!! We’re off to Tannadice on Saturday so rest assured we’ll be bleary eyed come Sunday morning. Everyone taking part should be at the Dean Park no later than 10.15am with the run due to start at 11.00am. Come along to give your support or simply to roar abuse at two hung-over fat blokes who really should know better.

Situation Vacant

THE revolving exit door at Rugby Park continues to swing with the news that General Manager David MacKinnon has tendered his resignation. David will continue his duties throughout his notice period, reportedly six months, whilst the club will seek a suitable candidate to fill the role. Mackinnon took up the post in July 2003 and has carried out a variety of tasks during a difficult period that saw many staff fall victim to the financial cut backs. Commercial manager Colin Fraser left his post in August so the wee bungalow (soon to be sold) has an ever increasing number of empty seats.

The club are stressing there has been no conflict between David MacKinnon and the chairman with Johnston saying: “Everything is perfectly amicable, as David has said, its just a slight change of direction that I felt was appropriate and David feels that his long-term ambitions in football would be better served if he handed in his notice and sought a new position. He is going to work his period of notice and we will continue to work together as a team. There is no big fall out or argument and we will work this through to the conclusion".

Meanwhile Mackinnon said: “It's a change of direction in the General Manager role. When I came here I was appointed because I had football experience, business experience and media experience and it was felt at that time that was the kind of General Manger they wanted appointed. Jamie Moffat didn't want to get involved in the day-to-day running of the club. He was quite keen to set a business plan and ask me to deliver it, which I think I have done here. Michael is now in and is more hands on and thinks that the General Manager role should take a new direction."

The resignation does not come as a huge surprise to many as rumours were circulating during the close season that DM may be resigning. Changes in personnel do add a bit of uncertainty all the same and it’s vital that the club move quickly to appoint a replacement. With our financial situation still giving cause for concern the club needs to have stability and someone in place with the necessary skills to work with the chairman in trying to eradicate our huge level of debt. We’re not sure if DM will still be here in six months time but whenever he does leave we’d like to wish him all the best for the future.

Car Boot Dates

WITH October bringing a dearth of away fixtures and international matches there is an abundance of dates for the increasingly popular car boot sales at the Theatre of Pies. As we go to press there are already four dates pencilled in already. Killie are at home to Aberdeen on Saturday, October 29; but the boot sales will be on every weekend prior to that. So, call Robert on 01563 537993 and book your place for the 1st, 8th, 15th or 22nd October and it will still only cost you £6 per space. We don’t need to remind you that all the jubbly is going to the FFTF fund and you have an excellent chance of picking yourself up a few bargains in the process.

Fool Backs?

WE HAVE yet to meet a fan who thinks that the manager made the right decision in starting with Gaz and Leven as full backs last Tuesday. (Not many speak to us granted so that goes for nothing!) JJ himself has yet to speak to us since the last time we moaned about Leven being played out of position, so you lot better watch what your are saying or you won’t be allowed back! All kidding aside, our initial reaction on hearing the team lines read out was that we were going to ship goals, which was the general consensus, but it was no consolation being proved right. We understand that JJ knows far more about the beautiful game than we could ever hope to and that it’s his prerogative to chop and change things as he sees fit…hell, he’s done a great job so far this season, we were just disappointed, as were many others, at an early exit from the cup which could have proven lucrative should we have progressed a few rounds further.

The manager called the shots but after 15 minutes we looked dead and buried. Fair play to him, he changed it around and we looked the better side, but it was always going to be an uphill struggle after that devastating start by the Pars. The players showed plenty of fighting spirit and had the game lasted another ten minutes we reckon that it would have been Killie’s name to go into the hat for the next round draw. Cest la vie…we have to just accept it and move on. What was more worrying was JJ thinking that Fow and Hooky needed a rest. We’ve only played ten competitive fixtures so far…boys these days eh…wait until after the fun run on Sunday and then you’ll see some punters seriously needing a rest!

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