Dramatic Four Goal Deficit Comeback 

Sees Killie Win Their First Euro Tie!

Kilmarnock 5 Eintracht Frankfurt 1

(Killie win 5-4 on Aggregate)

(Inter Cities Fairs Cup, Rugby Park, Sept 22nd 1964) 

Killie were drawn against Eintracht Frankfurt in their first ever European tie! Eintracht were a team that just lost 4 years earlier to Real Madrid in the European Cup Final. They were still a formidable team in 1964,as Killie were to find out. We lost the first leg 0-3, and Willie Waddell was heavily criticised for his 4-2-4 formation. Seen right are members of the squad getting ready to travel abroad for the 1st leg in Germany

So brought the evening of September 22nd 1964!.

Killie got off to the worst possible start, inside the 1st two min's they found themselves a goal down (& 0-4 on agg) to a 40 yard Huberts drive.

The Killie players instead of letting the heads go down simply rolled up their sleeves, and the rest as they say is history!

Killie would now have to attack, attack to have any hope! Inspired by Jim McFadzean ( who was brought in for the injured Matt Wilson) a Rugby Park miracle was about to happen.

Even the crowd joined in!

Kilmarnock's football was magnificent, and the goals had to come!

 In the 13th min, wee Davie Sneddon sent Ronnie Hamilton through and the striker finished well.

 

Two mins later Brian McIlroy (above) got Killie's second. The Germans were now rattled, they however regrouped and finished the half strongly. In fact the tie could have been over if it was not for a great save by Forsyth from Schamer's boot!

It took Killie just 7 mins into the second half to get the Germans reeling on their heels as "full-back"  come center forward on the night McFadzean headed home Killie's third from a Brain McGrory freekick.

The noise was now deafening "come on Killie" echoing around the ground, could Killie pull even?

With 8 mins remaining Jackie McInally rose above the German defence to head home a McIlroy cross, and Rugby Park went crazy! Little boys ran onto the pitch to hug their heros!

But it wasn't over yet. There were still seconds to go and the scenes were indescribable as Ronnie Hamilton scored the winner, a goal that was inevitable, on this passionate night. A night of joy. A night that will be remembered as long as football is played in Ayrshire.

The town went wild with delight. Hordes of happy Killie fans invaded the pitch again at the full time whistle, and the police had to fight their way through the crowds to pull the players to safety , one at a time.

Killie had done themselves, Ayrshire and Scotland proud! All this in their very first European tie!

Kilmarnock: Forsyth, King, McFadzean, Murray, McGrory, Beattie, McLean, McInally, Hamilton, Sneddon & McIlroy.

Attendance: 14,930