Jan 2007

Naisy Wonder Show Puts Killie Into the CIS Final

What  a crazy January it was for Killie! We opened the month with 3 straight 2 goal losses, followed by 3 straight wins. Killie’s first fixture of the New Year was Jan 2^nd away to champ’s elect Celtic, where we lost 0-2, and had manager Jim Jefferies sent to the stand, for laughing at the linesman’s call leading up to Celtic’s opening goal. Our 56 year hoodoo continued when Fraser Wright headed against their bar, before they scored a last minute 2^nd goal. Worse was to follow, as a gutless showing in Greenock saw Killie bounced out of the Scottish Cup 1-3 to Morton, after Colin Nish gave Killie an early 2^nd half lead. Killie’s 3^rd straight loss, was another sore one, losing 0-2 at home to Hibs, where they fielded a crop of youngsters in their starting XI, in this Monday night Setanta fixture. The game was also noteworthy for Alan Combe’s first start in the Killie goal, all year, new signing Mohammed Sylla’s debut, and for a Gary Wales Red-Card.

It is also reported that Danny Invincibile now needs a groin op, which would have a 6 week recovery period. So with this in mind JJ swooped for 19 year old Rocco Quinn on a loan from Celtic (they probably felt obliged having crocked "our" Ferdy back in Oct).

Killie’s season was now pretty much at crisis point, having not won in 6 outings, taking 1 point out of 15 in the SPL, having dropped out of the "Top 6", and the Scottish Cup being a non-starter!

The next 3 games were to be crucial to Killie’s season, two win-able SPL matches, and a CIS Cup Final berth being up for grabs.

Well in typical Killie fashion (unpredictable as you know what) they won all 3, with 3 clean sheets on the trot, go figure! Killie beat the Arabs 1-0, at Rugby Park, thanks to a Peter Leven goal, after a great move involving both Hay & Johnson. Quinn (right) also impressed in his Killie debut!

Killie then faced Falkirk twice in 4 days, and maintained their 11 year jinx over them. In the SPL Killie picked up all 3 points, on their travels, thanks to goals from Nish & Naismith, in the first half, as Killie ran out 2-0 winners. This win moved Killie back into the "Top 6" back above the Bairns!

Four days later Killie booked their spot for the 2^nd time in 6 years in the CIS Cup Final (against Hibs), with what can only be described as the “Steven Naismith Show’. Naisy’s wonder showing resulted in a hat-trick, with 2 super strikes, and a spot kick. Alan Combe was also called on to help keep a clean sheet as Killie’s cup dreams stayed alive, in this 3-0 win at Motherwell’s Fir Park.

Prior to the Jan transfer window closing Killie play some more musical chairs sending Stevie "Ruby" Murray & Jamie Adams out on loan to Queens through the end of the 06-07 season. In return Killie sign Queens Willie Gibson, then loan him back to QoS. Andrew Barrowman is then free’ed also, as he also heads down to Dumfries. Eighteen year old David Gray  joins Kilmarnock on Jan 31st 2007,  after leaving Scottish Premier League rivals Dundee United.

Killie finish the month in 6th place in the SPL with 36 points from 26 matches, and with a CIS Cup Final to look forward to on Sunday March 18th.

Feb 2007



Murray & Locke Hold the Pars!

Killie next hosted Rangers on Sunday Feb 11th at Rugby Park and lost 1-3 with Kris Boyd scoring a "hat-trick" against his former employers. A strange game saw Killie concede 2 penalties (the first of which the ref had to acknowledge afterwards that he's blown the call as Simon had cleanly tackled Boyd). Killie themselves missed a penalty (by Leven, as Naisy was off the field hurt at the time). Naismith did get Killie a consolation goal. Killie then headed off to East End Park and opened the scoring again through Naismith (his 5th straight Killie goal!). Killie could only pick up a point as Ford is sent off just before the break in conceding a penalty, as the match finished a 1-1 draw. Before the Pars match Killie sign Ivory Coast striker Aime Koudou to a short term deal, and then scores a "hat-trick" in his first outing, for the reserves. Eric "The King" Skora, (right) also resumed training with Killie as JJ starts his planning for next term!

Killie finish the month in 6th place in the SPL with 37points  from 28 matches.

March 2007



Killie's Magnificent Fans at Hampden

Killie open March with 2 wins to virtually assure themselves of a "Top 6" SPL finish! Firstly a fine 2-0 win at Love St, with Colin Nish netting a double, which was followed by a 3-2 home win over Inverness, After falling behind to an early goal. Jacko netted twice before Naisy scored the winner with a wonder over-head kick. Combe is rested for the Caley match in preparation for the CIS Cup Final the following week. Rolf Harris releases a new Killie version of "Fine Day", as Killie gear up for the Final.
Also of note was the ICT crowd was well over 7,500, (their highest non-Old Firm crowd of the season) as Killie reduced the prices to get some of the "fair-weather" fans back into Rugby Park.

Kilmarnock then contested their 5th League Cup Final, on Sunday March 18th Vs Hibernian.
CIS Cup Final Preview Here & Build Up Here

An estimated 20,000 Killie fans made their way to the National Stadium at Hampden, only to see Killie suffer 1-5 at the hands of Hibernian. Was it stage fright or was it frost bite? Gordon Greer at least scored Killie's first goal in a Final of this competition. Things could have been so very different if only Killie had taken their chances in the first 25 min's, but sadly lost the opening goal to set piece when Jones headed home from 6 yards in the 27th min. After that Combe made a couple of good stops, to keep Killie in it at the half. A second half comeback never materialised, and Killie only had one decent spell after falling behind 0-3. "Killie Till I Die" could be heard ringing around Hampden, after Greer pulled one back, but two more slack defending situations cost Killie dear, as Killie attempted to chase the game. The fifth Hibs goal being a personal nightmare for Alan Combe.

Some good news for Killie was that Inverness's home loss to the Pars confirmed Killie's "Top 6" SPL finish, with 3 matches to spare!

Dons at home on March 31st concluded the month. Killie "hammered" (JJ's expression) the Dons and ended up getting "mugged" in a 1-2 defeat. The Dons scored on Graeme Smith twice with only one shot on target the entire game, due to Fowler-Howler OG. Naisy scored a late penalty, but Killie were truly robbed of something from the match. The SPL then releases the post-split fixtures, and Killie draw the short straw again and will play 18 at home & 20 away matches (for the 2nd season in a row!).

Killie finish the month in 6th place in the SPL with 43 points  from 31 matches.

April 2007

Greer & Nishy Celebrate the Theft Of 3 Points at Fir Park

Killie finish up the regular season (before the "split"), with 2 bizare results! Firstly a 1-0 win at Fir Park, in a game we were really never in! Sub Colin Nish scoring in injury time with a fine header, from a Leven corner. Then a cruel 0-1 loss was suffered at Tynecastle where Killie certainly gave as good as they got for the entire match. Killie went into this match with Stephen Naismith being named March's Young SPL Player of the month, and with a growing treatment room. Unavailable for the Hearts match were: Combe, Hay, G Murray, Fernandez, Lilley, Gibson, Koudou, Invincibile & Magic (who just had season ending surgery). JJ gives Jamie Hammill his debut, and he goes on to put an excellent shift. Eric "the King" Skora is also named to the sub's bench. This was the first time Eric's name had been on a Killie team-sheet since May 12th 2004 in his final loan appearance (from Preston NE) against the Dons.

Killie finish the regular season in 5th place in the SPL with 46 points from 33 matches.

Killie then hosted SPL Champ's elect next at Rugby Park, on Sunday April 22nd. Celtic needing a win to clinch the title. Nakamura had the last say when he curled a sweet strike round the defensive wall and beyond a stranded Alan Combe, in the 92nd min to rob Killie of a deserved point, as Killie fall 1-2. Killie certainly the champ's as good as they got with Colin Nish netting after fine work by Wales. Again there are problems in visiting fans sneaking in to home sections of Rugby Park, and also the "world's greatest fans" wreck hundreds of seats, celebrating after the final whistle. Stephen Naismith after the match then wins his second straight writers SPFA Young Player of the Year.

Killie finish April up at Aberdeen and fall 0-3 to the Dons. The third being a freak goal where Alan Combe had a  quick throw out, strike the back of Mackie's head with the ball, which bounced directly into of his net.

May 2007

 JJ Picks Up His First Old Firm Win!

Killie go on to finish the 2006-07 in fine style with three straight one nil wins!!  This was the best form of any of the teams in the "top 6", post the "split". Firstly Killie pick up a modicum of revenge, for their CIS Cup Final failure, with a fine 1-0 win at Hibernian. O'Leary, Hamill & Gibson all start as JJ opt's for youth. For the record it was Colin Nish who headed home a ball over the keeper in the Hib's goal, for his 14th goal of the season.
Interesting Hibs had not picked up a win in 8 outings since their CIS win over us!
Next up were Rangers at Ibrox, and manager Jim Jefferies picked up his first Old Firm win! A first time volley by Stephen Naismith from a nice headed feed from Big Colin were enough to sink the Gers, as Alan Combe had a second great outing after his Dons "gaff". Aime Koudou makes his first start for Killie, and looked decent, and may have done enough to get a 1 year contract for next term.
All the Monday morning paper talk was about Naisy heading to amongst some places... Ibrox!

Killie then go on to complete their closing "hat-trick" of wins at home to JJ's former employers Hearts at home. Hearts needing a win to keep their UEFA Cup aspirations alive, fell 1-0 to a 82nd min Naisy penalty, (right....his 19th of the season) after Gordon had fouled him. Prior to the Hearts kick-off a moments silence is honored for club photographer Tom Brown, who had passed 2 weeks earlier.
On the player front, it looks like Peter Leven, has joined Graeme Smith in leaving Killie both having rejected Killie's final offers to each of them. However Johnston & Skora (2 year deals)  Locke (1 year) are each re-signed.

Jim Jefferies shares his thoughts on the 06-07 season......"We've equalled the record number of wins for a season, we got our first win for seven years at Ibrox last week and we've been to a cup final. It's time to quit I think - only kidding!  We would be quite happy to start next year with the same targets - trying to get into the top six and another decent cup run."

Killie finish the season in 5th place in the SPL with 55 points from 38 matches.

June 2007

Steven Naismith Makes His Scotland Debut

Gordon Greer (Doncaster Rov), Stevie Murray (Partick T) , Peter Leven & Graeme Smith (Rangers)... are the only "first team" members reported thus far, to be moving on. Magic, Fowler, Clancy, Hay, Skora, Koudou & Locke are all signed up for next term.
Steven Naismith wins his first Scotland "Full" cap, as a late sub in Scotland's 2-0 win over the Fareo Islands. Naisy is now all the talk of the Scottish press, with both sides of the Old Firm being reported as being interested in his signature. Killie chairman Michael Johnston speaks exclusively to the fans via killiefc.com - Here  A fresh bid worth £1.5m (£700K initially) with add-ons was then reportedly made to the Rugby Park club, by Rangers, however Killie rejected this offer!  Rangers then have to cheek to blame Killie for playing out the transfer in the press!

July 2007



"Le God" Returns!

The Killie first team squad reported back for training on July 3, flying out to their Italian training camp at Il Ciocco for a week-long stay. In Killie's travel party is newly signed Craig Bryson (from Clyde) & the recuperating David Fernández. Also French keeper Damien Rascle is brought in on trial. Killie then take on Dumbarton and play to an uninspiring 0-0 draw, without Steven Naismith in their ranks as manager Jim Jefferies tells the press he is now resigned himself to the fact that he will now be moving on.

Killie's new sponsor is also announced, Small World Media, who are an Irvine based company.

Killie then draw 2-2 at Dens Park (Jacko (Pen) & Naisy) followed by a bizarre 1-3 home loss to Notts Forrest after conceding 3 penalties, 2 of which were fouls by Fright!
Big Colin ensured a 2nd half "win" for the Killie. Steven Naismith then hands in his formal transfer request to Killie, and he is then promptly dropped from the 1-0 win over Leicseter City at Rugby Park. Gary Wales (left) scored in the 1st min, as Killie went on to record both their first win and clean-sheet of the pre-season. Sunday July 29th was the annual Killie Festival, and a great day was had by all, although a certain Mr Naismith was ill and could'nt make it... MMMM?

Aug 2007



Ford & Combe Perform Parkhead Heroics!

Killie opened their SPL season at Parkhead on Sunday Aug 5th, and earned a costly point in a 0-0 draw against last terms champions. Jamie Fowler suffered a serious ankle injury, Garry Hay a hamstring injury, and sub David Fernandez, an eye socked bash! Prior to the Celtic match Stephen Naismith withdrew his transfer request, and Momo Sylla, fell out with manager Jefferies, and subsequently would be moving on.

The history books will show that Kilmarnock won 2-1 twice in five days having prevailed after looking like they should have been dead and buried long before two late winning goals were scored. First a 2-1 win over the Arabs was recorded on a Monday night Setanta match. Killie getting late goals from Gibson (on as a sub), and Nish. Hay & Fowler were both missing from the Celtic match. Then it was on to Fir Park where another 3 points were "stolen" with Rhian Dodds netting an injury time winner, after Lillie had pulled Killie even. The Well PA announcer credited Dodds injury time winner to "Dick Turpin".
Rangers were Killie's final Aug opponents, and they put in a fine shift in a 1-2 losing effort. Danny Invincibile (right) scoring a fine goal for the Ayrshire men. Prior to Gers match Killie brought in 21 year old striker Ryan Jarvis on-loan from Norwich, and making way for Jarvis was Paul Di Giacomo, who headed out on loan to Partick. Invincibile also reinjures his groin, and he too would now be missing!
To close out Aug Killie picked up a fine 3-0 win in their first ever visit to Peterhead in the 2nd rd of the CIS Cup. This match was to become even more note-able as it represented Stephen Naismith's last game for Killie. Naisy was on the score-sheet that night (along with Nish & Wright) before his 11:45pm 31/8/7 2 million pound transfer to Rangers.

Killie finish the month in 6th place in the SPL with 7 points from 4 matches.

Sept 2007



Fright Nods Just Over Against The Dons

Killie fans had a miserable day the 1st of Sept 2007, as many fans woke to breaking news that Naismith had been sold, and to rub salt in the wounds Killie lose 0-1 to the Dons at home, having been worth at least a draw. Even worse was the loss of Gary Wales, as Killie's treatment room gets even busier. Killie then head to the friendly confines of Fir Park, and take on Gretna for the first time, and pick up another 2-1 win. A wonder goal from Wullie Gibson, (right)and a first goal for Jarvis (from a perfect knock down from Nish) put Killie into cruise control. Again unfortunately another injury as Ryan O'Leary breaks his nose giving way to debut for Tim Clancy.
Clancy makes one more appearance in a drab home 0-0 draw to the Buddies before he his also lost to a hip injury! Some good news is that "BeckenFowler" did return from an opening day injury. Craig Bryson comes off the bench to make his Killie debut, and nearly wins at the end for Killie. Killie then head to new Douglas Park to play unbeaten 1st Div leaders Hamilton, and put in a shocking 90 min's and crash out of the CIS Cup 0-2. Rhian Dodds limps off after 8 min's giving way to teenager Iain Flannigan, while Bryson make his first start for Killie. Sub Fernandez gets a red card, for 2 quick dissent yellow cards, to compound Killie's misery, in front of over 1,200 unhappy travelling Killie fans.
Manager Jim Jefferies then has to suspend practice the Thursday prior to Hibs away match as Nish and others pick up knocks in training.

A complete summary was....Rhian Dodds (ankle ligaments) Colin Nish (hamstring) David Fernandez (twisted knee) Chad Harpur (ankle), Ryan O'Leary (broken nose), Danny Invincibile (groin), Eric Skora (knee), Gary Wales (foot), Garry Hay (hamstring) and Tim Clancy (hip) on the sidelines.

O'Leary does make the Hibs match, only to get a red card, as Killie concede 3 (2 converted) penalties, in 1-4 loss at Easter Rd. Colin Nish (only fit enough to start from the bench) nets Killie's first goal in over 240 min's of SPL action. Aime Koudou having scored 3 goals for Killie's first placed SPL reserve team makes his first start of the season. Alan Combe makes several key stops including a penalty save to keep the score some-what respectable.
Killie finish the month in 7th place in the SPL with 11 points from 8 matches.

Oct 2007



Jamie and Nishy Celebrate Against Hearts

Killie without Invincibile, Johnston, Wales, Fernandez, Hay Dodds, Clancy (& O'Leary suspended with Locke, Murray& Jarvis only fit enough for a seat on the bench) host Inverness and pick up a point in an entertaining point in a 2-2 draw with Inverness. Koudou scores first goal for the club, and "Big Colin" (right) got his 4th of the season. Other notable points were Simon's luckless "OG" and first team starts for Craig Bryson & Iain Flannigan. During Caley's (after Ford's OG) next corner, one of the Killie Faithfull could be heard yelling at the Killie defence... "Someone mark Simon (Ford)".....
Aye Its still great to be a Killie fan!

Killie then complete two more October fixtures, and finish up the month unbeaten! These matches were away to Falkirk & at home to Hearts. The Falkirk match ended 1-1 with Killie getting off to the worst possible start goingl a goal down after just 2 mins, but not to worry as Fraser "Fright" Wright (left) headed Killie even some 10 mins later. Making their returns were Danny Invincibile & Gary Wales, as Killie remained unbeaten to the Bairns for over 10 years!
Hearts were then emphatically thumped 3-1 at Rugby Park, with Garry Hay returning to the side as captain! A 10 man second half Hearts succumbed to a Gary Wales volley, a Colin Nish penalty (our first of the season) and a Wullie Gibson goal, from a poor keeper clearance. Alan Combe (right) was booked at the 90 min mark, for winding-up the remaining Hearts fans behind his goal, as he went on to kiss his Killie badge on his shirt!

Killie finish the month in 5th place in the SPL with 16 points from 11 matches.

Nov 2007


Rare Nov Bright Spot As Tauil Starts

After an unbeaten Oct Killie then go on a 5 match winless streak that would not end until the home Dec Gretna match.  November's results were a 1-2 loss to Celtic, where Fright pulled Killie even, and then a 0-2 loss at Dundee Utd. In both instances JJ had to have unrepeatable half-time team talks. Alan Combe did save his second penalty of the season in the Arab match.
To finish Nov, Killie hosted an in-form Motherwell and went down 0-1, where sub Koudou missed a sitter in the last min. Also Mehdi Tauil made an impressive first start for the club. Also Jim Jefferies tells the press that top goal scorer Colin Nish has knocked back the terms of a new contract that was offered to him, and he has been linked to perhaps signing a pre-contract with his boyhood hero's Hibernian, in Dec-Jan when the transfer window re-opens.

Killie finish the month in 8th place in the SPL with 16 points from 14 matches.

Dec 2007

Danny & Ferdy Both On Target Vs Gretna

Killie open Dec at Ibrox, and after conceding an early goal, they gave a good account of themselves. Neither Boyd or Naismith scored either, as Killie went on to lose 0-2. Killie's on-going injury worries continue as both Clancy & Hay come back in and out of the squad.
The club announce new 2 year deals for both Simon Ford & Fraser Wright, keeping them at the club till May 2009.
Killie then pick up their 5th straight loss up at Aberdeen, after taking a deserved lead in at the half. In a brutal second half half 5 min period, Ryan O'Leary gives up a dubious penalty, and both Danny & Fright are lost to injury, as Killie eventually went down 1-2, with Ferdy scoring his first goal in over a year.
Killie go into the Gretna home match with just three fit defenders available as they looked to halt a five-game losing streak.  Despite falling behind 3 times Killie do "stop the rot" (JJ) and pick up a battling point in a 3-3 draw. Again Ryan O'Leary gives up another dubious penalty, for Gretna's 2nd goal, however if the truth be told Killie should have been dead and buried at the half, with only the woodwork & Alan Combe keeping Killie in it. For the record Killie's scorers were Danny, Ferdy & Gibbo (with a cross into the net).

On Dec 22nd, Killie travelled to Love St, and draw 0-0 in a very dull encounter. Killie then host on Boxing Day, a free-falling Hibs team, who had only won once since they destroyed us up at Easter Rd. Killie put on their best performance, in weeks, and pick up an impressive 2-1 win, with Hibs only scoring in stoppage time via a dubious penalty. Taouil scored his first goal for the club, with the opener, followed by Colin Nish (right) header , who may be be Hibs bound as he is being courted by them. To close out the year Killie's mini-revival comes to a thundering halt to an in-form Inverness side in a 1-3 loss up there, with Big Colin netting a late consolation penalty. It is also learned that Alan Morgan will be joining from ICT once the transfer window re-opens in Jan.

Killie finish the year in 9th place with 21 points from 20 matches.