My Dad was born in N.I. but moved to Irvine when he married my Mum. He wanted to support a local team and thankfully chose Killie. I'm told my first game was a 4-4 draw (Raith?) Had to be around the late 60,s but I have no memory of the game but do remember running up and doon the steps in what is now the Frank Beattie, where my Dad had a season ticket and my "best coat" that my Mum made me wear, being cold and wanting to go home at half time. 🙂
Another really strong memory is Eddie Morrison punching Ernie McGarr (Aberdeen keeper) and getting sent off.
Eddie was my hero and I was shocked that the ref could even consider red carding him.
My Dads job (long distance lorry driver) took him away a lot, so my Papa took me to my 1st midweek game, a European tie against Slavia Sofia which was also my first visit to the terraces I'd viewed from the stand. Climbing the steps and emerging next to the old scoreboard.... floodlights made the grass a bright green and the white ball seemed extra white. The sights, sounds and smells of that night remain with me today, I can even remember getting the blue bus back to Irvine and getting a poke o chips at Mamas for the walk hame.
Think my Dad got disillusioned during the 70's and the last game I remember going to with him was the defeat by Coleraine. In true Killie fashion we drew the away game then managed to snatch defeat from the jaws of victory by losing 3-2 at home after being up 2-0 at half time.
My Dad never went to another game, but we would discuss some of the more notable results.
After the "lift ower" phase, and years of standing at "my barrier" on the terraces, it became a Saturday thing to visit the Killie Club before wandering into the enclosure just before kick. This was the "hotheads and bampots" era. Loved it, even though we were regularly hopeless. Fair enjoyed our tour of Scottish grounds during the 70's and 80's then the pitch invasion as we got promoted back to the Premier league. Took my youngest daughter to her 1st away game when we won 2-1 at Ibrox! She accompanied me to many games in the 90's, we even cut out match reports and Killie photos then pasted them into a big book, one of which I came across recently. By then I had my own season ticket and was a "Top Ten" agent.
Now living overseas, I still make it over for some games most seasons and have grandkids coming with me now... glorious! The one thing I have not been able to accomplish is watching us play away in Europe. I did make the trip to Belgrade with my daughter and grandson, but something happened to the team before they got there.
Maybe this will be the season that itch gets scratched.
Killie have been, and still are, a recurring thread through the fabric of my life for almost 60 years now.
Loving everyone's tales that inspire more of my memories to return.
Mon the Killie!!