Edited extracts of former player & commercial manager Jim McSherry's final "McSherry Files"from the Kilmarnock Standard.......

I SIGNED for Kilmarnock at the age of 18 in 1970 which now seems a lifetime away.
Some of the legends who had played in the championship-winning side five years earlier were still at the club including Andy King, Tommy McLean, Jackie McGrory and the greatest of them all, Frank Beattie.
I was priveleged to play in the same team as these men on several occasions and people could never understand why I idolised the squad of '65.
But I felt they deserved to be revered as they played such an important part in the history of the club, as did the Cup-winning squad of 1997 and so many fine Killie teams down through the years.

The reason I tell you this is that when I attended the Legends Dinner a few weeks ago, never did I think it would be almost my last event as an employee of the club.
Restructure and redundancy are words which form part of modern-day business and while the latter is not pleasant it should always be handled with feeling and dignity.
Unfortunately this has not been the case at Rugby Park over the past few weeks.
Firstly, long-serving club secretary Kevin Collins, one of the most respected men in Scottish football, left after 11 years with the club.

On my return from holiday last week I was told I was being made redundant and so it is with sadness in my heart that I leave Rugby Park.
 

But as well as an employee I have always been a Killie supporter and so I'll be back next season to roar on the team from the stands and as a shareholder I will be watching with interest the developments at the club.
Finally, it has been a pleasure working on the many ventures over the past five years and I want to say thank you to so many people for their help and support.
I won't give names as there are too many to include here and to miss anyone out would not be fair.
My time at Rugby Park has formed a major part of my life and already I miss it badly - but nothing lasts forever.
Thanks to everyone who read and contributed to the McSherry File over the years and please remember one thing - Killie is a very special football club which deserves your support. Please continue to give it.
Jim McSherry ....`It was with sadness in my heart I left Rugby Park'