The Killie Ball 2005

A few seasons ago the Killie Hippo and I came up with a plan to host a dinner dance to boost killiefc.com funds as an alternative to the usual race nights and end of season bashes. There was so much organisation involved that to be honest we kept putting the idea on the back burner...until now that is.

If you read the B&H column in the Kilmarnock Standard, or indeed the online version on this very site, you will be aware that we had decided to raise money to purchase a hospitality table for four at the Park Suite for next season, for use by competition winners or deserving fans (i.e. not us). We came to the conclusion that the best way to raise the substantial sum required was to do it all at once so we revisited the dinner dance idea, sought advice on the matter from some friends, and came up with...The Killie Ball 2005.

Three different plans were drawn up and in the end we opted to go the whole hog and splash out big time on what we hope will become an annual fund-raising event. A lot of hard work has went into the plan so far by a lot of people, and its not over yet, and we have decided that any profit will go to one or all of the following each year -

1. Local boy’s clubs/youth development.

2. Kilmarnock Football Club.

3. Other football and community based initiatives.

The Killie Ball 2005 aims to be the biggest and best off the park event of the season and here’s what you can look forward to:

• Champagne & Canapés on arrival

• A five course banquet served up by The Fenwick Hotel

• Music by the one and only Counselled Out and Diva

• Thousands of pounds worth of prizes to be won at the Killie Ball Casino

• Big name guests and speakers

As mentioned already it is anticipated that the Ball will be a complete sell-out and is proving hugely popular with the local business community. We are indebted for the fantastic sponsorship and support we have received from a wide range of companies and we were surprised and delighted at the response we got from the outset.

All monies raised from this year's Killie Ball (2005) will be split between:

1. David Sneddon Testimonial Fund – Killie legend Davie Sneddon has served Kilmarnock Football Club for over four decades. A testimonial committee is being organised to ensure he receives the recognition he deserves (more details of that later) and we feel it is fitting for some of the Killie Ball cash to start things off.

2. Five local boys' clubs will each receive a cash donation to help with their development of young local talent. Details of the boys' clubs chosen will appear in the Killie Ball programme.

3. Kilmarnock Football Club - As already mentioned, we intend buying a table for four at the Park Suite next season. Through our B&H column in the Kilmarnock Standard we will give Killie fans the chance to sample the club’s excellent hospitality on match days.

We have arranged for 32 tables of ten (at £45 per person) on the night and to be honest the majority of them were booked instantaneously before we got the chance to advertise. We have kept a few aside in case of emergency so if you are interested in booking a table then contact Sandy on 077477 18754, but the way things are going you'd better be fast and we can't make any promises. We could have sold this event out twice over which augers well for the future...be there or be A*r!