KSA Meeting

THE SEASON may be finished on the field but the fans are still as busy as ever as the World Cup approaches. The Kilmarnock Supporters’ Association hold their AGM this Saturday afternoon, May 27, with a 14.00 start. The exact venue has yet to be confirmed but will either be the Park Hotel or the Park Suite. It’s been a busy season for chairman Jim Wilson and the committee as they battle to raise their profile and try to persuade the club to make watching Killie more affordable. The death of Treasurer Danny Coffey (left) cast a shadow over the season but there are many good Killie fans who will carry on the hard graft. Danny was passionate about the KSA so get across this Saturday and make sure his good work is continued for many years to come.

Lotto Update

WE RECEIVED an email from Bob Wallace this week giving us the latest news on the new Killie Lotto. Bob also explained the newsletter would not continue in its current format and he paid tribute to Frank Alexander who has given lots of time and effort over the years. He said: “Frank Alexander did a magnificent job editing this newsletter over the last nine years. As his would have been a very hard act to follow, we have decided not to try. Instead we will use a shorter Killie Newsletter more to inform Killie Lotto Agents and members of the activities of our staff and agents in encouraging the people of Kilmarnock, Ayrshire and beyond to join.”

“This first effort at doing so will give you some information on the people involved here at Rugby Park, the small committee who were instrumental in creating Killie Lotto and our progress in growing membership. The latter, of course, being the reason that we have undertaken this project which has the aim of raising as much money as possible to support the Killie Youth Development Programme. Please feel free to contact any of us if you have questions or suggestions on making Killie Lotto a success.”

The Killie Lotto committee will shortly be providing details of an exciting new summer competition for Killie Lotto agents. Their aim is to recruit as many new agents as possible over the next few months and they will be offering all agents, existing and new, the opportunity to win major prizes to celebrate the increasing membership and, of course, contributions to Killie’s Youth Development. In the last month 20 members of killiefc.com have signed up as agents…why not join them or simply sign up to play the lotto at www.killielotto.com

Naisy, Naisy

WHILST most of his team mates are heading for sunnier climes Scotland’s finest young talent continues to make the tabloid headlines. He’s won every young player award that has been handed out and has been busy starring, once again, for Scotland’s Under 21 team. Naisy and the squad headed for Rugby Park to face Turkey last Friday, following a controversial 1-0 defeat in Northern Ireland. It appeared the Turks had done their homework as our star striker was subjected to some meaty challenges. You can’t keep a good man down all the same and Naisy scored our only goal as we fought out a tough 1-1 draw.

Elsewhere one tabloid paper “sensationally” reported that Naisy was keen on a move to one of the old firm. We’re pleased to announce the story is absolute mince and Naisy, as he said when signing his new contract, is happy to continue his football education at the Theatre of Pies. Of course any player with Naisy’s talent is bound to attract a lot of interest and there’s no doubt he has the potential to move on to bigger things. We’d urge Killie fans to buy their season tickets and enjoy the Stewarton lad’s talent for a wee while yet and if he decides to move it will be to a team that matches his ambitions…in the English Premiership at least.

How the Cup Was Won...

LAST week we reported the good news that FC Kilmarnock Ladies had won the SWPL Cup but we never had any details. Club Secretary Lorna MacLaren has since sent us the following report…

The Scottish Womens' Premier League Cup Final was a fantastic game and a great advert for the sport in general. After a frantic opening spell Glasgow City took the lead in 20 minutes, midfielder Leanne Campbell putting her side one up. Killie's Kirsty McLaughlin equalised in 32 minutes after a great cross from the right from Becky Stokes and then an Amy McDonald goal put Killie in the driving seat on 35 minutes. Teams are always venerable just after they score and so it proved to be the case again as unfortunately it took City just 60 seconds to equalise. Scotland striker Suzanne Grant pulled the Glasgow side level with the score now two apiece.

Killie goalkeeper Emma Mills was badly injured towards the end of the first half when involved in a 50/50 with Grant. She took a severe knock to her left knee and was unable to continue after the half time break. With no substitute goalkeeper, it was down to midfielder Amy McDonald after bravely volunteering to take over between the sticks...and Emma may now be in fear of her place! McDonald bossed her box and was never flustered by any of the Glasgow City attacks that came her way.

After 49 minutes, Scotland star Jo Love scored Killie's third and what proved to be winning goal after bravely holding out for the final half hour of the match. A superb effort and work rate from all eleven players on the park proved to be more than a match for Glasgow City's attempts to get back into the game. The victory was even more satisfying for Ayrshire's finest given some of the arrogant statements emanating from the City camp prior to the match and the spirit of the squad was evident for all to see from the pre-match meal until well after the trophy was collected. This is Killie's fourth league cup win and a long overdue return to collecting some silverware. All eyes on the league now as all three of the top teams are still in with a shout. Killie are back!

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