Season Diary 2004-2005

 

June 2004

Killie announce they will again travel to Il Ciocco in July for their pre-season "camp" in Italy. Pre season friendlies are announced Vs Ayr (A), and Leicester City & Derby Co both at home. Stevie "Baggio" Fulton is invited to train with Killie after his contract expired at the end of last season . . Gary McSwegan still remains unsigned, and looks certain to move on. Killie release their new 2004-05 Kit and put their new "Real Madrid" away looking top on sale right away.

July 2004

Manager Jim Jefferies makes Alan Combe his first signing of the "close season". Gary McSwegan joins Ross Co. Gary Wales (ex Hearts) & Peter Leven (ex Rangers 20 yr old) are signed to one year deals. Killie play 3 amateur teams in Italy and win by a combined score of 31-0. Free agent defenders Oumar Bakari and Mickael Wolski and Eric Joly, (he's the  brother-in-law of Freddie Dindeleux who recommended him to the Rugby Park club) who is with Belgian side Mons, played in a closed-doors 2-0 win over Falkirk. Welsh international defender Darren Barnard also played for Killie in their closed-doors midweek win over Falkirk. However, the left-back, who was at Grimsby last season, was  told he will not be offered a contract at Rugby Park.
Without any of these "new boys" Killie travel down to Scumerset and fall to A*r 5-4 on pens. Killie had led by 2 goals till A*r struck twice in the last 12 mins. Killie's scorers were Lilley and Dargo.

Our killiefc.com POTY (Player of the Year) Bash for 2003-04 to Kris Boyd was then held at the Howard on Sat the 24th of July after the A*r West Sound match.
Manger Jim Jefferies had the entire squad come back to the pub which was very well received.

To complete the pre-season lose 2-3 at home (Boyd & McDonald on target) to Leicester, with Pedro making his return, and then a dull 0-0 draw with Derby Co, Alan Combe having a fine game for the home side.

Aug 2004

Killie Celebrate Opening Day Win at Easter Rd

Killie have their "Open Day" on Aug 1st Pic's are Here. Eric Joly is signed to a one year contract. Triallist Patouillard returns to France because he wasn't offered anything. Bakari signs a 6 month deal but doesn't play as Killie draw 1-1 with the Jags in a closed door game at Auchencruive. Killie then withdraw their offer to Bakari 24 hours later. On the eve of the new season Killie miss out on signing Paul Ritchie as he signs with the Arabs. Baz interviews Killie Chairman Jamie Moffat also on the eve of the new season - Here
Opening day comes on Aug 7th, and Killie give debuts to Alan Combe (who was first class) and Gary Wales, at Easter Rd. Leven & Joly make their debuts as 2nd half sub's. Kris Boyd scores with a deflected freekick, after sub Dargo is fouled to give Killie a 1-0 win over Hibs, and a precious 3 points. More importantly Killie record their first "shut-out" away from Rugby Park since April 27th 2003 when we won 1-0 at Dundee. This was NOT accomplished during season 2003-04, so Killie get off to a flier.
Prior to the Celtic game Killie have a very busy week off the field. Firstly Killie sign Allan 'Magic' Johnston on a three year deal. Johnston says "There were offers from several clubs down south and in Scotland but I wanted to sign for Killie". - More Baz & Allan act quickly and sponsor "Magic" for the 2004-05 season on behalf of www.killiefc.com.
Killie General Manager Davie Mackinnon then holds a Press Conference  to announced that leading Aussie lager brand Foster's will become the official beer at Rugby Park as part of a supply agreement with the stadium and The Park Hotel, which represents a £1M investment in the club - More
Killie then fall 2-4 at home to Celtic, after twice taking the lead, and only fall behind for good after we are reduced to 10 men when Lilley is red carded. The two Gary's were on the score-sheet for Killie McDonald & Wales (his 1st for the club).

Killie then go on to lose 0-3 at Tynecastle, despite playing well in the first half. Next up was the Accies in the CIS Cup and a fine 3-0 win is recorded with Danny Boy netting twice & Gary McDonald scoring the middle goal. This was Killie's first goal in the competition since Dargo's wonder strike in the 2000-01 semi at Hampden! Before the close of Aug Chairman Jamie Moffat announces his shares in Killie are for sale, as the club looks for a new investor. Perhaps Marie Macklin is waiting in the wings (Here). The final Sunday month of the month brings Killie a 1-0 home win over the Pars, with Invincibile (right) getting the games only goal, and Alan Combe making a couple of fine save to help keep Killie in it!

Sep 2004

Kris Boyd Ties An SPL Record With 5 Goals Vs The Arabs

Killie didn't play again until  Sept 11th due to the World Cup qualifiers starting. Craig Samson was absent from the Scotland Under-21 team lines against Slovenia after being arrested for breach of the peace, after he and 9 others sneaked out of the Park Hotel.  Samson, on loan from Kilmarnock to Queen of the South, was Scotland's third choice U-21 keeper, and was subsequently dropped altogether. Killie then get their 3rd clean sheet (this is as many as we had all of last season!) of the new term, as Invincibile (his 4th in 3 games!) & Lilley who opened the scoring help Killie pick up 3 points at Livingston with a great 2-0 away win! Killie then host the Dons in a 2nd Vs 3rd battle, and lose 0-1, with the Dons only goal being an O.G. from Jamie Fowler. Then Killie lost in the CIS Cup at Tynecastle 1-2, with Peter Leven scoring on his first team debut.
Then the Killie faithful were treated  to a match & performance that led to an update of this site's "Classic Killie Matches". Kris Boyd scored 5 times to tie the SPL record, for the most goals in a single game, as Killie beat the Arabs 5-2 at Rugby Park. (Kris also had a "6th" chalked off that should've counted also!)

Killie finish the month with 12 points from 7 matches and are in 5th place in the SPL.

Oct 2004

Craig Dargo Celebrates His 1st Goal of the Season Vs Hibs

Killie open the month with a respectable 0-2 loss at Ibrox, with Boyd hitting the post while Killie were only a single goal behind, but we never really threatened enough in the final third (according to JJ). After 2 more dismal Scottish National team World Cup Qualifying results (Norway H, Moldova A). Killie resumed SPL play at Dundee on Oct 16th. Before the Dundee match Killie announce the passing of Killie legend Jackie McGrory, who was a member of great 60's teams, including the 64-65 Championship Winning side. Killie then sign Simon Ford (right) until the end of December. The 22-year-old centre-back  free agent, who was previously at Grimsby  Then at Dundee Kris Boyd's record of never having been on the losing side for Killie when he was on the score-sheet, ended as Killie fell 1-3 after he opened the scoring. Then there are some draws that feel like wins, and there are some draws that feel like losses. The result against Inverness clearly feels like the latter!  Killie were 2-1 up against bottom of the league Caley at home, who were down to 10 men, with less than 8 mins to play and could only get a 2-2 draw.  This was a disastrous result, despite Stephen Murray & Gordon Greer getting their 1st goals of the season.
The Monday after the Inverness game, Kris Boyd sustains a knee injury in training, and will be out 5-6 weeks! Killie do however do regroup and in Boyd's absence, Colin Nish nets 3 goals in his first 2 starts of the season. His first was at Motherwell where Killie held on to win 1-0, and also give Simon Ford a debut also in an overall gritty Killie performance. To finish Oct Killie thump Hibs at home 3-1 with Nish grabbing a double either side of Craig Dargo's first goal of the season. Ford also plays very well in his second start for Killie.

Killie finish the month with 19 points from 12 matches and are in 5th place in the SPL.

Nov 2004

McDonald Felled at Parkhead Gets No Call!

Killie visited Parkhead to start Nov looking for their 1st win there since 1955! And guess what? Yup you've guessed it, referee Steve Conroy, gave the Tic a dubious freekick just outside the box, and then another dubious penalty kick. Then moments later denied Killie a spot kick of their own, when McDonald appeared to be fouled. Colin Nish did pull one back for Killie in the closing stages, but it was all too late as Celtic hung on, and Killie ran out 1-2 losers. Graeme Smith made is debut for Killie and filled in very well for the unfit Alan Combe. Killie prior to Hearts match, launch their official 64-65 title winning anniversary strip - Here  Combe is also "called-up" for the upcoming Scotland friendly international Vs Sweden. Peter Leven then opens the scoring in an entertaining 1-1 home draw with Hearts. Killie failed to kill the match off and Hearts came back to earn a point. More good news for Leven, as he plays for the Scotland U-21 National team, and then appears set to get a new Killie deal! Then disaster struck an "in-form" Killie get taken apart at Dunfermline as we go on to lose 1-4 , with sub Gary Wales netting his second goal of the season, as Killie's only consolation. Killie also introduce a new 3rd strip an all red kit in the away Pars match. Killie finish up Nov with a dismal 1-3 loss at home to bottom of the league Livingston, with a performance that manager Jefferies described as "the worst of the season". Allan Johnston did score his 1st goal for Killie being the only bright-spot.

Killie finish the month with 20 points from 16 matches and are in 7th place in the SPL.

Dec 2004

Kris Boyd Lets 7 Weeks of Frustration "Out" In The Dec Dee Win

Killie travel to 3rd place Aberdeen to open Dec and lose 2-3, with a battling performance. Killie go down after twice taking the lead. We are called for 29 fouls! Nish is also sent off, and Combe "gifts" the Dons their 2nd goal. Danny & Leven (He needs a nickname!) with a wonder freekick score for Killie. An out of touch Kris Boyd did however return from injury for Killie. French defender Mickel Wolski has signs a one month contract. Worse was to follow as Killie fell 0-3 to the Arabs, and were unlucky not to go in at least even at the half instead of 2 down. Gary McDonald  signs a new deal to keep him with Killie till May 2006. A much improved performance in 0-1 home loss to Rangers, which was a Sunday live Setanta match. Graeme Smith filled in for the injured  Alan Combe in goal and has an excellent match. David Lilley started a 3 match suspension in missing the Rangers game.

On Tuesday 22nd Dec killiefc.com hosted a "live on-line chat" with Davie MacKinnon & Jim Jefferies and a good experience was had by all.
JJ's transcript is Here & Davie Mack's Here.

Killie next hosted Dundee on Dec 27th and do find their form again, to halt their 5 game (games without a win) losing skid in an excellent 3-1 home win! Smith again plays well in goal, while  Invincibile, Ford (who is now staying with Killie till May 05) and Boyd all net for Killie. This was Boomers 1st goal since Oct 16th. Sean Dillon goes out on loan to Greenock Morton & Craig Samson to St Johnstone.

Killie finish the month (& year) with 23 points from 20 matches and are in 7th place in the SPL.

Calendar Year in Review 2004

Jan 2005

Boydie Felled In The Well Home Cup Tie

A happy new year is had by all the Killie faithful as Killie beat Inverness 2-0 at Pittodrie on Jan 3rd to start the new year off in great style. Danny Invincibile scores both Killie goals. Graeme Smith continues to look good in goal for the injured Alan Combe. Luckless Craig Dargo hurts a knee in training prior to ICT game and could be out for a lengthy spell.  French defender Mickel Wolski's one month contract ends (without him making an appearance) and he is "free'ed" by Killie as is Mark Canning. Joly is also told he is free to find another club, and Paul di Giacomo is set to go out on loan to Stirling Albion for the remainder of the season.
Killie then have to play twice in a row Motherwell at Rugby Park, first in the 3rd round of the Scottish Cup, followed by an SPL match. Killie win the first meeting 2-0 thanks to first half goals from Gary McDonald & Kris Boyd. Also Alan Combe returns in goal & David Lilley from suspension. In the Premier Motherwell match, Killie come up trump's again with a first half  Boydie double as Killie record a fine 2-0 win. Naismith misses a sitter, (along with many Motherwell missed chances) but has really come on with his non-stop running and aggressive play over the last several weeks. Alan Combe also looks to be back to his early season form with several fine stops during his last 2 shutouts. Killie's good run comes to a grinding halt at Easter Rd  as we went on to lose 0-3.  Killie then sign 19 year old English U-21 international Fulham central defender Liam Fontaine on a loan deal until the end of this season Fontaine's signing was in part due to injuries to Freddie, Greer, & Lilley's suspension going to Celtic home match to finish Jan.
A spirited Killie fall 0-1 to Celtic, after Danny gave up a hand-ball in the box, with Celtic scoring the games only goal from the spot. Sub Gary Wales was upended near the end of the match, but it was the usual "no call" against the Old Firm.

Killie finish the month with 29 points from 24 matches and are in 7th place in the SPL.

Feb 2005

Naismith Scores His First Goal For Killie

Killie start Feb with what was to be the first of 3 straight matches Vs Hearts! This fixture quirk was caused when Steven Naismith equalised for Killie in the last min, at Tynecastle to earn a money spinning Scottish Cup replay (which was covered by SKY). This was Naisy's first senior goal for the club, scoring after he came on as a second half sub. Naismith had earlier that week signed a new deal to keep him at Rugby Park till 2008. Colin Nish had scored Killie's first equaliser (with a broken hand no less), as Killie went on to earn a 2-2 draw, in front of a noisy 4,000+ traveling Killie support. (The club had helped subsidize buses to Tynecastle!). Prior to the Hearts away SPL match Leven & Samson pick up Scottish U-21 caps, in Belfast. The second part of the Hearts trilogy was a very flat 0-3 performance at Tynecastle, with the only real point of note being manager Jefferies post match comments ..."The only good thing is that it will be a different Kilmarnock on Wednesday - I can promise Hearts that". Unfortunately JJ is made to eat his words as Killie fell 1-3 in the replay in front of a National SKY TV audience, to complete the "Hearts Trilogy". Killie were never at the races, and fell behind early and only got on the scoresheet with a last min penalty from Boyd. Killie also played without Locke & Freddie, as the injuries mount in Killie's treatment room. After the Hearts cup replay youth coach Ian Durrant leaves Killie to head to Ibrox, to take a similar position with the Glasgow club. Ian indicates ... he would be open to returning to Killie perhaps one day as manager! After being bounced out of the cup Killie then again turn their attentions to a "top 6" SPL spot, and face Dunfermline at home. Killie beat the Pars 2-1, with Naismith & Boyd getting the goals for a below strength Killie team. Killie finish the month with a trip to Ibrox in a game that was rearranged to suit the SPL (& Rangers). Killie field 9 men behind the ball concede a lot of possession, and only a mistake by Simon Ford let Rangers go 2 to up, before Kris Boyd pulls one back, as Killie fell 1-2. Alan Combe was clearly man of the match at Ibrox,

Killie finish the month with 32 points from 27 matches and are in 7th place in the SPL.

Mar 2005

Boyd Scores The Arabs Opener

Killie's season really is seeming to unravel as they come undone big-time losing for the second time to bottom of the table Livingston 1-3, after Allan Johnston opened the scoring for Killie. Killie's alarming inability to pick up points was highlighted the following Saturday with a 0-1 home loss to the Dons, after Kris Boyd missed a penalty right at the death of the 1st half, to give Killie a deserved lead. Man of the match was stand-in keeper Graeme Smith, who made several fine saves in the second half.  It is becoming clear that had our form not been decent the first 11 matches of the season, we would certainly be one of the fav's for the drop having picked up only 13 points from their last 17 SPL outings. The following week Kris Boyd makes amends for his missed penalty Vs the Dons, as he scores twice along with sub Danny Invincibile (rignt) in our 3-0 home win over Dundee Utd. This loss moved the Arabs to the foot of the table. (Their manager McCall is fired 3 days afterwards) It was also Killie's first clean-sheet in nine outings, and this stat would not have happened if keeper Graeme Smith had not saved a first half penalty.  Simon Ford undergoes a double hernia operation and is done for the season, and Liam Fontaine is back and forth to Fulham, for treatment on his ailing back. Jim Jefferies "rubbishes" press rumours of him being a candidate for the vacated Dundee Utd job. On Weds 9th March... The one millionth front page "hit was achieved On behalf of baz & I, we'd like to thank you for your on-going support.... Allan...."KTWD"!! The counter was first initiated on Nov 1999 (and we had a 2 year "stint" at rivals.net ). Kilmarnock's premier event of the year - THE KILLIE BALL 2005 is announced.

Killie finish the month with 35 points from 30 matches and are in 7th place in the SPL.

Apr 2005

Leven Nets The Winner From The Spot at Inverness

Killie start April at Dundee and lose 0-1 to the relegation threatened side after a dubious penalty is awarded against Lilley . The following week it is "do or die" Vs Inverness at home to have any remaining chance at a "top 6" finish. Killie slash prices to just a tenner, to try and add some numbers to the gate. Killie scorn a barrel load of chance and lose 0-1, as they slip down the table to 8th place. Only an extra 4-500 take in the match with 4,862 in attendance.
1997 Cup Winning goalkeeper Dragoe Lekovic returns to Rugby Park to take in the Inverness CT home game as a guest of the club. Gordon Greer returns after months on the sidelines as Killie are unlucky only to take a point at Fir Park. Peter Leven (left) scored a wonder first half free-kick, only to have a freak Alan Combe OG cost us as we ended up with a 1-1draw with Motherwell. Then Joe Tonner, 38 our former Killie Nutz mascot is exposed as a paedophile, by the Sunday Mail. Killie then host Dundee in the first game after the "split" and win 1-0 thanks to super-sub Craig Dargo netting in the 86th min after being only on the park for less than 5 mins. The result does mean that Killie's SPL status will remain intact for the 11th straight season. An alarming attendance is noted of only 3,770! Worse news was to follow when the SPL attendance statistics were released, that indicated Killie's gates were down -13%. This 800+ fewer (on av per home game), was the worst drop in the SPL.  Killie the following week traveled to Inverness (for the first time this season) and get a 2-1 win with each team getting a dubious penalty. Killie's winning goal was from Peter Leven, who took over the spot kick (above) duties in the absence of an injured Kris Boyd. Gary McDonald opened the scoring, and was also gave up the penalty for Caley Thistle's goal. Manager Jim Jefferies missed the match, due to being on scouting duties. The last piece of April news, was that Killie unveiled their new 2005-06 home kit. The top would go on sale at the last home match of the season (Vs the Pars on May 21st). Killie also took the initiative to take "pre-orders" of the top via their official website.

Killie finish the month with 42 points from 35 matches and are in 8th place in the SPL, one point behind Inverness for 7th. The 42 points won represent the same total as in the entire 2003-04 season.

May 2005

Dodds, Gary Mac & Naisy Celebrate In The Seasons Final Match

The final month opens with Gen Manager Davie MacKinnon, putting out all kinds of fires in the press, as Jamie Moffat once again steps in to float Killie's monthly overhead. At the same time manager Jim Jefferies shares that Killie are open to listening for offers for top scorer Kris Boyd, mainly because Killie know they can't afford to keep him. Before the last away game of the season at Tannadice, the "Killie Cull" begins, with Neil McGregor being released along with 5 year man Craig Dargo. Craig was a fan fav, but had missed about half the games over the past 3 seasons with various injuries. It is also announced that Danny Invincibile has a stress shin fracture and will miss the last 3 games of the season. The first of those last 3 was the final away match of the season at Tannadice. Down 0-1 at the half, Killie come-back to earn a very creditable 1-1 draw. Sub Kris "I'm for Sale" Boyd hammers home off a rebound from the post from 2 yards out, for his 8th goal against the Arabs this season. This was the first time Killie had trailed at the half, and NOT gone on to lose all season long in the SPL. Prior to the Livingston home match, Killie get; Dodds, Wales, Nish, Hay,  & Graeme Smith, signed up to new 1 year contracts. Also Di Giacomo is signed to new 6 mo deal. Jim Stewart's goalkeeping coach (right) role was not re-newed however. Stewart had a 34 year association with Killie ! Killie then go on to beat Livi 2-0 with Boyd & on the park less than 2 mins & sub Allan Johnston netting Killie's goals. Killie are still waiting on Locke & Freddie's decisions on their contact offers. Dindeleux may have played his last game for the club, as he had a fractured wrist which he picked up with a collision with Boyd in training, that would sideline him for the seasons final 2 matches. Craig Samson is the next "out the door", but Locke (2 years) Dodds,  Murray & Fowler get signed up for next term.
The season finale comes against Dunfermline at home. Killie romp home with an emphatic 4-0 win, their largest margin of victory all season. The first 2 goals, were also firsts of the season for the scorer, captain Gary Locke then Rhian Dodds. Boydie grabbed his 19th and Gary McDonald his 5th as Killie ran out easy winners. A fine finish to an inconsistent year, but this final performance certainly left all the Killie fans with a great sense of optimism for next term. Killie also on the final Saturday of the season, invited & recognised our 1964-65 championship winning team, with the trophy, during the half-time of the Pars match. The "old-timers" got a tremendous reception from all in attendance, and brought a tear to few eyes as well!

Killie finish the season with 49 points from 38 matches and were 7th place in the SPL. This point total represented a 7 point improvement over  the 2003-04 season.

The final of week of May saw Chairman Jamie Moffat relinquish his role as Chairman, and hand the reigns over to Michael Johnson. Jamie's final gift was to pump in an extra half million quid to keep the club afloat, while a final a new financial package was arranged with the clubs creditors.

Alan Combe is voted as this website's "Player of the Year".

Without the safety-net of Moffat's money Killie are certainly in for an interesting 2005-06 season!

Season 2004-2005 Form Guide