Kilmarnock FC & 1.FC Kaiserslautern
Freundschaft
(Für die deutsche Version bitte Klicken HIER)

 

Background: After the superb 1998-99 season where Killie finished 4th in the SPL. Killie finished that season with 14 wins & 14 draws from 36 games. Kilmarnock did win the Scottish "Fair Play" award, and subsequently qualify for the UEFA Cup.
Kilmarnock had no reason to be embarrassed about accepting UEFA's backdoor pass because they were worthy of the place, having completed their best-ever season in the top division. Killie had scored more goals, conceded fewer than ever before, (the fewest in the SPL in fact) and amassed their highest number of points in the big league.  So Killie's name went into the hat for the 1999-2000 UEFA Cup. Killie drew KR Reykjavik Killie put up a very poor performance in the UEFA Cup qualifying round losing 1-0 in Iceland, with Killie's man of the match being stand-in goalie Colin Meldrum. The KR Reykjavik UEFA Cup 2nd leg arrives on Thursday the 26th of Aug 1999 arrives and the match represents the 100 year anniversary of Rugby Park and Killie play against 10 men for about 50 mins, before a last min Paul Wright penalty, puts the tie into extra time! David Bagan (above) curls a beauty into the top corner, 2 mins into extra time and Killie win the tie.

A glamour tie for Killie awaited against Germans Kaiserslautern.

Sept 16th 1999

Killie play the away leg 1st, and lose 0-3 to the Germans. An estimated 7-800 Killie fans travel to the Das Fritz-Walter-Stadion. Despite the result on the field the Killie fans were a credit to themselves, their club & their country!  The Killie fans stood and chanted "Were Here Cos We Luv Killie", for almost the entire match.  This sporting behavior was very endearing to the host fans of Kaiserslautern, and many fans made good new German friends on the evening of Sept 12th 1999, in the pubs before & after the match.

The teams that night were.....

Kaiserslautern - Reinke, Ramzy, Hristov, Wagner, Petterson, Sforza, Marschall, Djorkaeff, Ratinho, Buck, Koch.

Substitutes - Gospodarek, Reich, Komljenovic, Rische, Tare, Sobotzik, Strasser.  

Kilmarnock - Meldrum, MacPherson, McGowne, Holt, Durrant, Mitchell, Mahood, Vareille, Baker, Lauchlan, Bagan.

Substitutes: Watt, Jeffrey, Reilly, Wright, McCoist, Burke, Hessey.

The memories of this game for many Killie fans, is still the highlight of their Killie days, as the fans acted as one with their team in creating a special atmosphere and bond!

Sept 30th 1999

So the evening of Sept 30th 1999, came and Killie moved the Kick-Off time to 5pm so the match could be screened live in Germany. Manager Williamson trotted out the standard "It's not impossible" drivel in the press prior to the match, citing Killie's epic 4 goal comeback in 1964-65 against Eintracht Frankfurt. But this was never to be as Kaiserslautern turned a respectable 2-0 performance, to win the tie 5-0 on aggregate. Killie even paraded former European "Golden Boot" winner Ally McCoist (right) in an attempt to get on the score-sheet but it was not to be. As you can see "Fat Sally" whilst jumping flat out, was still 8 inches too short!

The Outcome: Killie got gubbed, yea yea we know, but more importantly new friendships were made. These friendships have lasted well over 5 seasons, and a band of loyal Kaiserslautern fans have adopted Killie as their Scottish team, and make 2- trips over a season, to see the Famous Ayrshire Killie..... "Good On Them".... "Killie Till We Die!"...... Allan

Some Recent Visits

Kaiserslautern Information

Official Club Website: Here
Supporter's Contact: Torsten Günther
Most Recent Visits: Dec 11th Vs Rangers (H), March 18th Vs Falkirk (H)
Upcoming Visit: TBD
Notes: During the March 18th visit, www.killiefc.com held an internet supporters match Vs some of the 50 strong German visitors. Our team was called Bazcelona. Match report & pics Here.

By the way Freundschaft is NOT shafting your friends!)

(Killie in Europe HERE)