Costley quits Rugby Park Board 

(Sept 26th 2002)

By DARRYL BROADFOOT

Bill Costley, the former Kilmarnock chairman and lifelong supporter, finds himself preparing to sever all ties with the Ayrshire club. The millionaire hotelier announced his resignation along with fellow directors Jim Murdoch and Brian Sage, after disagreements over the direction in which the club had been taken under the new regime, headed by Sir John Orr, former chief constable of Strathclyde Police, and the chief executive, David Heath.

David Heath

Costley, a board member for six and a half years, revealed that he intends selling his 40% shareholding in the club, which is valued at around £1.5m "I was disappointed with the executive, both financially and in decision making," he said yesterday. "I am sad to be walking away but felt it was the best course of action to take under the circumstances."

Costley watched from the terraces as a youngster when the club rubbed shoulders with Europe's elite in the 60s, most memorably Eintracht Frankfurt, and was appointed to the board by the time Bobby Williamson led Kilmarnock to Scottish Cup glory in 1997.

By then, he had amassed a personal fortune of millions and invested in the significant shareholding during the club's rise to prominence in the mid-90s after a spell in the doldrums of the second division. 

Costley stepped down as chairman more than a year ago to concentrate on his business, including the building of the Park Hotel adjacent to Rugby Park, and handed control over to Orr.

Jim McSherry

The new business strategy implemented was not without its sacrifices, most notably the removal of former player, assistant manager and, latterly, commercial manager and press liaison officer, Jim McSherry, and as Heath, the brains behind Celtic's Atlantic League blueprint, continued to map out a new future, unrest grew among the existing board members.

The new regime were supported in their actions by the club's majority shareholder, Jim Moffat, and with the board making increasingly uneasy bedfellows, the trio took the decision yesterday to submit formal letters of resignation which were accepted by the chairman.

That development will continue when a new investor is sought after Costley's decision to cash in on his shares. However, the hotel which bears his name will remain part of the club, with all profits being used to strengthen their financial position.

The chairman, Heath and the club's new press officer, Ray Montgomerie, attended last night's meeting of supporters' associations, in the Park Hotel, and attempted to convince them that the future remains bright despite the loss of three more popular figures in a close-knit club.

 Official Club Statement

Sir John Orr 

On Sept 26th 2002 Kilmarnock Football Club issued the following statement from Chairman Sir John Orr via their official web site......."I wish to publicly pay tribute to the significant contributions that Bill Costley, Jim Murdoch and Brian Sage have made to the development of Kilmarnock Football Club and specifically during their time as directors.

"In particular, Bill Costley as a past chairman and a life-long supporter deserves special praise.

"The remaining five members of the board, including vice-chairman and major shareholder Jamie Moffat are fully committed to playing their part to achieve further progress and success for the club."