Eddie Morrison KFC
1967-76
(Manager 85-89)
My earliest and
fondest memory of following Kilmarnock was during my primary school
days; jackets down and 23 a side etc. All assembled would choose their
favourite players and for that half hour we would live that dream. Most
kids choose to be Dalglish/Keegan/McNeil or even dared to emulate Pele,
but not for me, none of these international superstars, no, for me it
had to be the greatest centre forward the world has ever seen…Eddie
Morrison! Alas I never got to see my hero in action, but I would follow
his exploits in the press, knowing that one day I'd finally get the
chance to be in the presence of my footballing icon. Then it happened,
on a sunny day at Cappilow (sunny?), Killie's last match of the season,
we lost 3-2 and Morton gained promotion, HE was there, in the dugout
beside the Morton manager Tommy McLean. On the final whistle the pitch
was invaded by jubilant 'Ton fans, the Killie support, not to be
outdone, sang "Oh Eddie, Eddie…Eddie, Eddie,
Eddie, Eddie, Morrison". My hero
acknowledged our chants with a royal wave, my day was made.
Airdrie had just humped us
5-0 at Rugby Park, enough was enough, goodbye Mr. Clunie. The stage was
set for the return of the Messiah, this time to lead from the dugout,
King Eddie was home. I supported Eddie and his squad with a religious
fervour, home and away. It was never going to be easy for him. He was
hindered by a short sighted board, who not only lacked vision but were
unable or unwilling to give Eddie the cash required to build a decent
team and prove his worth. In the end his departure was inevitable, but
at least, in the wake of the termination of his contract, the sleeping
giant that was Kilmarnock had at last stirred restlessly in it's
slumber. One of my saddest memories as a Killie fan was joining the
hot-heads in the enclosure as they shouted for the head of Eddie
Morrison. I still feel the shame from those dark days as I've never had
the chance to say sorry to the greatest hero I ever had…until now that
is. I tracked the great man down and asked him to relay a few of his
memories from the past and thoughts about the modern era… 
When and how did you end
up at Killie?
I signed from Port Glasgow
to Killie in Season '66-'67.
What were your initial
thoughts on the club?
I was very impressed with
the ground and all the facilities.
What are your earliest
memories of being at Killie?
Mixing with players I had
previously only seen on television or read about in the papers.
The stature, size and
general state of the club.
They were a very
progressive club with a large playing staff and back room staff.
The playing and coaching
staff at that time.
Most of the players were
older than me and had plenty of experience. The coaching staff were
excellent with Walter McCrae and John Murdoch.
Living in the shadow of
the team of 1965.
It never bothered me
because most of them were still there. They were still a very good
team.
Those European nights, any
vivid memories ?
Scoring goals against
teams like F.C. Zurich. All my good memories are about scoring goals.
What was the best domestic
match you have played in?
Against Rangers at Rugby
Park, when I scored two goals. The second being Killie's 4,000th league
goal.
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70 Cup Semi-Final Vs the Dons |
72 Cup Q-Final Vs Raith Rovers |
Your best cup memory ?
The
72 Raith game in the
Scottish Cup at Kircaldy. There was a lot of hype by their manager
George Farm.
Your favourite European
match ?
When I played against F.C.
Zurich. 
Your biggest
disappointments at K.F.C. ?
Getting beat in the Semi
Final of the Scottish Cup by Aberdeen at Perth in 1970.
The circumstances that
made you leave Killie ?
Manager Willie Fernie
wasn't a fan of my type of playing, so I left with Ian Fallis taking my
place.
Your thoughts on leaving.
I was very, very sad.
Explain how you got into
coaching management.
Benny Roonie the Morton
manager saw at the time my playing career was coming to an end,
suggested I go to Largs on a coaching course.
Thoughts at becoming
Killie manager.
I felt great excitement
and had high hopes of making Killie a first class team.
What was this your biggest
achievement in football ?
Saving Killie from
relegation in my first season there. We stayed up and Meadowbank went
down.
How frustrating was it
having no cash to work with ?
Very! You are always left
with 'if onlys'.
How supportive were the
board?
As supportive as they
could have been at the time.
Thoughts on the Dave
McFarlane incident.
When he was with us for a
months trial, he played well, but after he signed his form dropped and
he did not live up to my expectations.
How hard was the criticism
of the fans?
Very hard. Nobody wants
hard luck stories about no money for decent players, and the manager
knows he is first to go if the team is doing badly.
Would kind of job would
you have done with backing?
Unfortunately I will
never know but I would like to think that I would have done a good one.
Best memory as manager.
The three games against
Hearts in the Scottish Cup.
Biggest nightmare.
Losing to Inverness
Thistle in the Scottish Cup.
Would you like to be a
manager again ?
No! It takes it's toll on
your health and your family suffers.
Your thoughts on the
current Killie set-up/stadia.
Killie always has been
and still is one of the best stadiums in Scotland out with Celtic and
Rangers. I would love to see them doing a lot better in the Premier
League.
Were you at the Cup Final
and did you enjoy it ?
I was there. I enjoyed
it. Both sets of fans were great. The only thing that would have made it
better if I had been playing or managing Killie that day.
First love, Killie or
Morton?
If this were a photo
finish in a horse race, it would be a dead heat.
Your life after Killie.
I went back to Morton and
did some coaching.
What are you up to now?
Doing a little PR work
for Morton and awaiting the arrival of our first grandchild in January.
Can you forgive me for
past indiscretions, please?
Yes, of course. Being the
type of person I am, easy going, you are forgiven.
Interview By Donny Muir
| Do You
Remember... These articles were extracted from the "KTS" (Kissin'
the squirrels) KFC fan magazine and are the ownership of ; KTS,
baz, & Killiefc.com. Unauthorized reproduction is not permitted
without prior consent ! |
