Popular Post Souleycouley93 Posted February 23, 2021 Popular Post Report Share Posted February 23, 2021 I have been doing some chats with ex players/manager and Killie related personalities recently on my Instagram page. @NiftyGD_ We have already done Peter Canero and DVT, this week I caught up with Ex Killie Boss and part time comedian Lee Clark to discuss his time as Killie boss, his trip for Rolls at Troon Beach and his regrets on leaving. Hopefully you enjoy. 1. You joined Kilmarnock back in February 2016 can you tell us how did that move come about ? Did they contact you or did you apply for it after Gary Locke moved on? Well I was at a game down at Huddersfield Town when i got a call to ask would i be interested in the Kilmarnock Job. Obviously i was keen on it so the contact was made with the club and i met the board in the Park Hotel that week and within 3 or 4 days i had been offered the job which i happily accepted. 2. When you came in to Kilmarnock what did you know of Scottish football and Kilmarnock FC in general? I knew a lot about Scottish football and the players playing in it. I signed numerous players from Scotland when down south and watched many games. Scott Afrield from Falkirk was one who peaked my interest and also at the same time i was watching Craig Bryson from Kilmarnock who went to Derby, but I only had funds for 1 and got Scotty. So I had watched plenty of games up there in Scotland. 3. After joining you faced an uphill struggle in the first few months not to dissimilar to what we as a club are facing at the moment. What did you think of the squad you inherited when you first arrived ? My first few games in charge were extremely tough. After my first game v Dundee which ended 0-0 I think we had Celtic, Aberdeen and then Ross County - who were all in the top 6 at that time. So it was certainly a difficult start. The squad well tbh it was basically the Hearts Reserves !!!!! Ha ha no serious though some good guys and good pros but they weren’t very athletic /mobile/ fit, but these were the players i had and had to get a tune out of to stay up. Kris Boyd & Gary Dicker proved very important players for me as the senior players and leaders in the dressing room they believed in my work and pushed it in the dressing room and on the training ground. 4. Killie eventually finished 11th place that season and faced a 2 leg play off against Falkirk. After losing the first leg 1-0, what do you remember of that night ? After the first leg, even though we were 1-0 down i remained positive. The reason why was that we were the better team in that 1st leg without being great. We missed some sitters, Tope Obadeyi in particular. We did however give away an awful goal late on but after game i sensed a determination from the players to turn it round at RP. 5. You famously or infamously took the boys down to Troon beach on the day before the 2nd leg playoff at home which thankfully worked what was the thinking of that trip ? Also what kind of roll did you have ? Jeez yeah the trip to Troon Beach was not a pre-planned one. We went in to train at RP the day before the 2nd leg of the play off and I went down to the dressing room about 45 minutes before training was due to start and It was quiet, Too quiet for me! Myself ,Lee McCulloch & Peter Leven had planned the session for a day of a little shape and set plays. I went back up into my office and just told the staff to get the keys for the club minibus and that i needed to get these lads to relax. What was a 30 minute session going to achieve the day before the game. They certainly were not going to get fitter. So i kept the energy they had built up for the game the next day, I wanted us to make a quick start and guess what we did. Regarding the Roll I had a square sausage roll it was beautiful and the game turned out beautiful too ?? 6. Kilmarnock went on to batter Falkirk 4-0 in the glorious sun at RP, you were certainly happy with a few runs up the touchline, how did you feel on the lead up to that day ? You also had drafted in a very young Greg Taylor that day a novice at left back which paid off big time longer term for the club. Like i said in the previous answer. I really needed the lads to come out of the traps quickly and have a fast start and we certainly did that. I was calm and tried to relax the players as we knew we were capable of turning it around. You are right though i enjoyed that day immensely! The crowd were exceptional in noise and in numbers. Greg Taylor playing was an absolute no brainer because in the last game of season vs Dundee United i had put some of the youngsters in for 2 reasons: 1 to get a look at them. 2 to save the legs of some of the senior players. In what was a poor performance Greg stood out for me head & shoulders above everyone with his quality of performance but also his temperament So playing him in the play offs was not really a big gamble for me. 7. That Pre season you brought in 11 players in the one day notably Souleymane Coulibaly and Jordan Jones that both turned out to be decent players for the club. Also you brought Ajer/Woodman/Longstaff on loan in the January, what did you think of some of those guys as players ? With Jordan Jones - i liked his pace, and how direct he was and his personality. I had to work really hard on him defensively but he listened- he was a great kid. Souleymane - we needed to bring in a goalscorer and an other option to Boydy and i felt for our budget that he would do the trick. Never in my wildest dreams did i think 6 months later he would make the club in the region of 1 million pound profit. Ajer Woodman Longstaff- i knew they were quality signings and have demonstrated it since. Playing at very high levels. 8. You decided to leave the club in February 2017. Joining the now extinct Bury FC, Do you regret that decision? and what was you’re reasons for going there? I left to go to Bury to be back in the English game with thought process of doing well there and maybe getting a chance in Premier League. The first part went well i saved them from relegation with 14 games remaining when i took over- similar to Killie position. 2 seasons after changing the squad I got small messages about the issues inside the club.Players were unhappy with timings of salaries etc and i left in the October. I regret leaving RP 100% to this day. I could and should have carried on the positive moves we were making. Also id have liked to have been in charge when BB was in sole charge to make the changes i wanted to make .Which were quite difficult in my time with the tight budget restrictions placed on the club. 9. Do you have any funny moments or stories from you’re time at the club ? I had many funny/happy moments it was a great year for me personally. The club was great, the support was superb and I loved living in the area. Funny moments were in my early days getting used to some of the Scottish sayings. An example being the first away trip coach driver on the way up to Aberdeen turns to me and says “you Ken Gaffer?” I replied no mate my name is Lee ? Also When talking about leaving a player out Lee McCulloch warned me “he would be greeting and chapping ma door “I had no clue what he was on about !!? 10. What are you now upto these days ? Do you plan on getting back into full time management soon ? I am currently the Director of Football at Newcastle Blue Star in non league,I am basically helping a friend out. This entails me mainly helping with sponsorship for the 1st Team and over seeing the development of Academy set up as we have teams both boys & girls from Under 5’S to Under 23’s. I will not manage at this level as i do not know other teams or players. I am waiting for my next opportunity in full time football as a manager again. Final thoughts Lee In the light of our recent form and circumstances do you have anything to say to the Killie fans reading this interview. Any feelings still for our club? Finally I say to the Killie faithful to stay strong/positive and to keep believing. You now have a strong and good management team at the club. I know personally as I played alongside Tommy at Newcastle back in the day and I was also assistant manager at Norwich City when Tommy was the GK coach and Paul Stephenson was the 1st Team coach. Tommy is a great guy and has had great success in the Scottish game. Obviously i am very close to Paul as we grew up together and worked closely with each other at Norwich,Huddersfield and Kilmarnock.He is a top coach and more importantly at this moment a real positive person around the place. Regarding my feelings, well I bloody loved my time at the club and I still look out for the results every week, I made a mistake in leaving when I did, But my time there will always be special to me. Who knows maybe I could return one day under different circumstances to finish the job. MON THE KILLIE!! Best of luck Lee Clark 50 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
skygod Posted February 23, 2021 Report Share Posted February 23, 2021 (edited) 19 hours ago, Souleycouley93 said: Players were unhappy with timings of salaries etc and i left in the October. It's funny how often managers distort the circumstances of their leaving a club - he was sacked after just eight months with Bury second bottom! Good interview. Although he was a bulls**tter, he was a positive character who did alright for us. Remember his cryochamber? Edited February 24, 2021 by skygod 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Souleycouley93 Posted February 23, 2021 Author Report Share Posted February 23, 2021 1 minute ago, skygod said: It's funny how often managers distort the circumstances of their leaving a club - he was sacked after just eight months with Bury second bottom! Good interview. Although he was a bulls**tter, he was a positive character who did alright for us. Remember his cryochamber? Funny guy kept us up and wanted to try his arm back down south. Doubt we will see him again back here but speaks positively about club. Always very knowledgeable about things going on. Good luck to him 8 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TLC Posted February 23, 2021 Report Share Posted February 23, 2021 Never had a problem with Clark. Inherited a mess from Locke and did his job in keeping us up and then improved us the following season. He seems to take flak for his transfer record, but as that interview discusses he did bring in some real quality as well. 5 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gjkillie007 Posted February 23, 2021 Report Share Posted February 23, 2021 Had an eye for a player that's for sure (Ajer, Woodman, Jones, Coulibally). We could do with them now. Comes across though as a "fake it till you make it" character though. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bonbon19 Posted February 23, 2021 Report Share Posted February 23, 2021 I think this demonstrates that , putting aside Clark’s minus points , he at least had contacts that got us a higher calibre of loanees Bonkers crazy in other areas but an enthusiast 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
killiehippo Posted February 23, 2021 Report Share Posted February 23, 2021 Excellent interview mate 6 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post Big sexy Posted February 23, 2021 Popular Post Report Share Posted February 23, 2021 That was a good read mate well done .i liked clark he seems to be looked upon as a bit of a joke but theres been far worse than him 13 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ngonge88 Posted February 23, 2021 Report Share Posted February 23, 2021 That game against Falkirk is one of the most dominant performances I've seen us in the Premier league... outwith SSC certainly. And for that I'll always think of Clark fondly 9 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John M Clark Posted February 23, 2021 Report Share Posted February 23, 2021 I have always thought that some of the pundits on here gave LC a bit of a raw deal. He never let this get to him and from this interview he has retained a true feeling for Killie. He gained some money for the club, and when you consider the three quality loan players he brought, Ajer ,Longstaff & Woodman, he certainly wasn't selling them "snake oil " he was selling them Killie. LC yes you would get a piece at my door any day. 5 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Prahakillie Posted February 23, 2021 Report Share Posted February 23, 2021 1 hour ago, Souleycouley93 said: Also When talking about leaving a player out Lee McCulloch warned me “he would be greeting and chapping ma door “ Jamie M? ? 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Souleycouley93 Posted February 23, 2021 Author Report Share Posted February 23, 2021 7 minutes ago, Prahakillie said: Jamie M? ? Very possible. Freddie Woodman didn’t need to get up the road for the school run. 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
piffer Posted February 23, 2021 Report Share Posted February 23, 2021 I liked Lee Clark. He was a captivating character. There was never a dull moment with him in charge. His throw in rant at meet the manager, signing a team in a day, putting the players in the freezer. I think he had a lot of good ideas but a very scattergun approach. E made mistakes as everyone does but he was pretty quick to realise them and tried his best to remedy. Signed some crackers who will be remembered fondly but some shockers who served up some of the worst individual performances in recent memory. 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Trumpetree Posted February 23, 2021 Report Share Posted February 23, 2021 Good read that Souley - although not asking him the sauce question for his roll in sausage (red, broon, or none at all) is a glaring omission ? 5 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wrangodog Posted February 23, 2021 Report Share Posted February 23, 2021 It was a crazy season, never dull and he did bring in some good players, plus the odd right back. No matter what happens I will never forget that playoff day. Excellent interview. ? 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scouser2 Posted February 23, 2021 Report Share Posted February 23, 2021 Good interview , in the early days thought he was a good appointment with decent ideas and contacts....but did become apparent sometimes his way of talking covered up for other weaker areas in day to day managing .. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bbk Posted February 23, 2021 Report Share Posted February 23, 2021 His decision to leave brought us SSC and that is the only thing I will give him any credit for! -22 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ngonge88 Posted February 23, 2021 Report Share Posted February 23, 2021 5 minutes ago, Bbk said: His decision to leave brought us SSC and that is the only thing I will give him any credit for! Not Jones or Coulibaly? Giving Greg Taylor his debut. He wasnt great but certainly not the worst. 5 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
muza1962 Posted February 23, 2021 Report Share Posted February 23, 2021 1 hour ago, Ngonge88 said: Not Jones or Coulibaly? Giving Greg Taylor his debut. He wasnt great but certainly not the worst. They tell me he liked a wee bevvy! A big bevvy even. -2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
carpetfitter Posted February 23, 2021 Report Share Posted February 23, 2021 When all is said and done - he kept us up. Fair play. And that Falkirk second leg was memorable - a cracking day. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Comeonkillie Posted February 23, 2021 Report Share Posted February 23, 2021 I clearly remember the feeling of relief in play off 2nd leg. Big Josh squared the ball to Greg Kiltie in the first few minutes to score the opener. I knew then there was little chance we would lose in front of a massive home crowd. Great day. 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kfc_superteam Posted February 23, 2021 Report Share Posted February 23, 2021 My only issue with Lee Clark was that he seemed to ignore the right back position 7 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post Souleycouley93 Posted February 23, 2021 Author Popular Post Report Share Posted February 23, 2021 3 hours ago, Trumpetree said: Good read that Souley - although not asking him the sauce question for his roll in sausage (red, broon, or none at all) is a glaring omission ? Just for you mate. 14 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Souleycouley93 Posted February 23, 2021 Author Report Share Posted February 23, 2021 Also said my namesake Souleymane Coulibaly would promise him a hattrick every week to no go in the cryochamber. -125 degrees. 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Big sexy Posted February 23, 2021 Report Share Posted February 23, 2021 41 minutes ago, Souleycouley93 said: Just for you mate. Knew it.the only answer it should be 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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