Kilmarnock: Going to the Dogs?

We read this week that one of Kilmarnock's most well known factories (The Glacier) was to be sold which could result in massive job losses. Across the street at printers Ritchie UK the workers have been told that around 10% of the employees have to be made redundant. If you add all that to the various other factories and mills that have shut down in the area recently and the general running down of the town centre (which even the phone and pound shops are clearing out of) it doesn't paint a pretty, or more to the point, profitable picture. Kilmarnock's reign as the pride of Ayrshire is on the wane.

Without a doubt the blame for this situation is down to many factors, and we don't want to get all political on you, but the fading fortunes of the good people of Kilmarnock seem to go hand in hand with the falling attendances at the Theatre of Pies...and that's when it starts to concern us. Nine times out of ten if you hear the word Kilmarnock on the telly or read it in the newspaper the article in question will be referring to the football club rather then anything else. Now without a doubt the biggest asset the town has must now surely be it's Premier League team...and even it stands poised warily on the edge of a financial abyss.

The positive effect our current cup run on the town's inhabitants is as plain to see as the nose on Cyrano de Bergerac's face. Surely it's time for someone in local government to latch onto that fact and start to make the most of such an asset and pull out all stops to help the club get back on a sound financial footing? Spain has one of the top football leagues in the world and a host of their clubs are backed by the local authorities who don't want to look a gift horse in the mouth...and treat their respective clubs as the jewel in their locale's crown. The same can be said for other clubs in many countries throughout the world...why should we be any different?

So what could they possibly do to nurture KFC and ensure that it stays a positive focal point for the people of Ayrshire? That's easy...where do you want us to start? First and foremost the club have to eat into the debt we have for the other measures that have been put in place to have any real effect, so it's all about hard cash. All council functions should be held in the Park Hotel. Anything that the club has to pay the local authorities, rates, licences, anything at all...should be abolished. Would that cripple the town? No. Would it help the club? Yes. A 1% Killie tax (2% if you are an old firm fan) added to the council tax for a specified amount of time. Would you notice it? No. Would the club be debt free in no time? Yes.

We could go on and on but it's just going to start sounding dafter by the minute...or is it so daft? It works for the likes of Barcelona and they're not doing too badly! Unfortunately in this country we are slaves to convention and change takes time. A change in local government policy of that sort of magnitude probably wouldn't see the light of day until the next millennium, and by then of course it could all be too late. Maybe that should be the next campaign after KTID...B&H running for office on the Killie Tax ticket! Stranger things have happened...but don't hold your breath.

A Thank You

Killie fan and runner extraordinaire Matt Dodds sent us the following to pass on his thanks for your support...

Hello...I would like to thank everyone who sponsored me on my recent marathon in New York. The event was something special with over 37,000 participants and many, many more spectators and helpers. This was my first marathon attempt since Glasgow, back in 1984 and it wasn’t any easier! Through everyone’s generosity I raised a total of £3,400 which will be given to Kilmarnock FC Youth Development (to produce more Steven Naismith’s) and The British Heart Foundation (£1,700 each). Once again many thanks for your kindness...Regards...Matt Dodds.

Well done to Matt on completing the event, we did think about doing it ourselves but it clashed with Hippo washing his hair. Maybe next...lifetime.

Didgeree Don't

It looks like a Cup Final appearance from Rolf Harris has been hit on the head due to there "not being enough time" to slot him in. Really, what's all that about? What have the CIS Marketing people got planned that couldn't be delayed for three minutes at the start of the game or during half time? Surely Rolf could have performed his number at the same time the kids are playing their bounce games on the pitch? No...that would have meant having to put a wee bit extra effort in to the organisation...which would never do.

All we can say is that we are not surprised really. The marketing of the Scottish game has been dire for years now and there was no chance that they'd take up a gilt-edged opportunity of a freebie appearance by a world famous celebrity...perish the thought. We were told that we should have asked about it earlier...but how early can you get? We asked about it before the first meeting they had when the finalists were confirmed...although we were pretty confident of making the final, Mystic Megs we ain't!

So what happens now? The single release goes ahead as planned, we've not did all this work for nothing, and we'll still ask Steve Lima and Rolf to the final as guests of the club. Chances are with no performance though Rolf's people won't be too keen on him making the trip, which is a shame really...as it was a situation which could have been easily remedied. The Killie mix of Fine Day (up to date details at www.fineday.co.uk) should be finished off this week and available for download shortly after...let's do our best to make it Killie's first ever chart entry.