One to Eleven with Manuel Pascali

This week I caught up with Kilmarnock legend and current Cosenza Calcio player Manuel Pascali. I will be finding out about how his move to Killie came about and his thoughts on the recent Steve Clarke revival. Manu grew up on the streets of Milan as an Inter Milan supporter. His mother he joked was an Ultra at the San Siro. He played football at an amateur level in Italy most of his teenage years.


Pascali played his first ever professional season in the year 2000. Age 19 a young Manu signed for Sant'Angelo this would be his first foot on the footballing ladder so to speak. Alessandria, Pizzighettone and Carpenedolo would follow over a seven year spell in Italy's lower reaches. Predominantly in Serie C the third highest league in Italian football. This is where a young Pascali would learn his trade playing in over 200 games for these clubs scoring 30 goals across a seven year period (2000-2007).

Serie A club Parma would come calling and purchase 26 year old promising midfielder Pascali in summer of 2007. Unfortunately for Manuel the club loaned him straight back out immediately. Heading to Foligno in the same league he had just come from. Pascali featured 32 times that season in the clubs push for promotion to Serie B. They would fall at ultimately the last hurdle in the play off.

The Summer of 2008 -2009

Jim Jeffries Kilmarnock side head to usual Tuscan Mountain training camp Il Ciocco. Manuel Pascali comes on trial and stars in midfield. He returns with the Ayrshire men on trial and features in pre season games at Rugby Park. Scoring the winner in 1-0 win over QPR. Kilmarnock make an enquiry to take him on loan for the season. Parma relegated from Serie A that season eventually agree to a sale an undisclosed fee of a rumoured 125 thousand pounds. Pascali is a Killie player. Signing a three year deal.


Pascali, an unknown quantity to Killie fans, features in his first start at Rugby Park against Hibs. The Italian midfield enforcer looking imperious in the centre of the park goes straight through Hibs right back David Van Zanten. Getting his first of about 800 yellow cards that season the Italian had set his stall out early. Van Zanten stretchered off two minutes gone. Pasca as he was nicknamed by the Ayrshire faithful quickly became a fans favourite. His no nonsense approach and his incredible passion made him a real cult hero.


Pasca would score his first Killie goal vs Hamilton in a 1-0 victory at Rugby Park in August 2008. Making 35 appearances that season a real stalwart in the Killie midfield.

10th January 2009
 
Killie head to Somerset to play rivals Ayr in 4th round of Scottish Cup. Pascali would score the opener in a very eventful tie which Killie should have won. Over the next few seasons Manu would continue to be a midfield menace getting booked 18 times in the 2010-11 season over 39 matches. Three one match bans due to persistently getting booked over the season.

Late September 2011 Killie would lose at Ibrox to Rangers just before their unforgettable demise. Two - nil the score. Pascali is involved in a bust up in the tunnel after handbags on park with Kirk Broadfoot. Killie's current centre back and enforcer. Kenny Shiels referred to Kirk Broadfoot as the "ugly boy from Rangers " up against "the male model from Ayrshire" in his post match radio interview. A fight I'd have paid to see! No love lost between the two bruisers with Kirk Broadfoot claiming "he was in my face saying he was going to kill me". Pascali dismisses these claims by saying Kirk is a "publicity seeking coward".

Two months later in November Kirk and the terminally ill Rangers roll into town. Pascali puts them to the sword, heading in a winner as Killie beat Rangers 1-0 at RP. Interviewed after the game Pascali says it was the "best moment of his career so far".


In 2012 Killie would draw Ayr at Hampden in the semi final of the league cup. Ayrshire would flood Glasgow's south side. Kilmarnock totally dominant lead by Pascali would get a winner in last five minutes of extra time through Dean Shiels. Bedlam as Killie end erupts and celebrate reaching a final the following month. 
Unfortunately in February 2012 it would be heartbreak for Manu as he would break his leg in training whilst over stretching for the ball. He would miss the final and the rest of the season.


March 18th 2012

Killie were at Hampden to face 26 games unbeaten Celtic in the league cup final. Manager Kenny Shiels set his side up and they played their heart out. Killie fans outnumbered three to one by Celtic supporters belted out songs enjoying their day. Captain fantastic Pascali was seen hobbling around on crutches before the game giving encouragement to the boys on the park before taking seat in dug out. Kilmarnock would inevitably beat treble chasing Celtic with a fantastic team move and great finish. Scenes !! The place exploded. Killie would see out the remaining minutes. Champions.

Pascali on the park with his crutches, the fans jubilant and full of anticipation. Despite being injured Pascali was club captain, but he insisted that club legends Garry Hay and James Fowler also lifted it, as he knew how much the victory meant to them. Showing the measure of the man with that act of togetherness and respect to fellow players. The cup lifted above the three Killie men's heads. Goosebumps even writing it just now. Killie would parade it in front of the ecstatic support. Pascali lifted by his team mates on top of shoulders crutches in the air. Brilliant scenes back at Rugby Park as Manu with a Killie scarf wrapped round his head leads the chant "let's all laugh at Celtic".

Pascali would sign a three year deal the week after. Shiels describing him as pivotal and such a big character. The next few seasons weren't quite the same. A lot of unrest after Shiels sacking, turning support against chairman Michael Johnston. Clubs fortunes turned for the worse and we had some pretty horrid times. Pascali would be offered a new short contract but at reduced terms and despite being desperate to stay to get his testimonial he reluctantly moved on.
Pascali would go on to say "Michael Johnston created so much negativity around the club" citing him as one of the reasons he left.

Returning to Cittadella in his home country in 2015 after 7 years in Scotland. He played two seasons achieving promotion in his first to Serie B. He made 37 appearances in his two season stint with Citta scoring 4 goals. Leaving in summer 2017. Now at his current team Cosenza Calcio in Italy's third tier he has gone full circle, back to where it all began as a youngster. Only 3 appearances in the league for 36 year old Pascali this year.

Personally for me a man that i hold in the highest regard. He never once shirked a tackle and gave his all for our club. He helped win us a cup and gave us many fond memories in which we are all grateful. His hard exterior on the pitch was in contrast to his funny and friendly manner off of it. I am sad he didn't achieve a testimonial here. He was certainly worthy of one. His passion knew no bounds for our club. Something rare in a foreign player. He became a Killie local and hero.

Grazie Pasca


Now let's hear from the man himself as I caught up with him this week about his time at Ayrshire's Finest. Enjoy his One to Eleven...

1) Can you tell us firstly how did your move to Kilmarnock come about?
I got in touch with the late Stefano Salvatori who used to play for Hearts under Jim Jeffries. He asked me if i fancied a trial with Killie whilst they were on a preseason trip to Italy. I said yes and then after two weeks I had signed.

2) Did you settle in well at Kilmarnock easily or was it hard to adapt to Scotland at first?
It was pretty easy from my point of view. I found everything i needed and club was very welcoming to me. Although it did take time to get used to the weather though.

3) In your time at the club which player or players would you say were the best you played with?
There were plenty of good players in my time. I would mention Craig Bryson and Alexei Eremenko though. Probably the best two!

4) In your time at Kilmarnock you managed to score fifteen goals. Do you have a favourite?
I would have to say the one against Ayr at Somerset in my first Ayrshire Derby. Scoring the only goal and winning 1-0 at Rugby park against Rangers was so wonderful also.

5) Having worked with Kenny Shiels for a couple of seasons how was he as a manager?
Kenny was a great manager. We had a fantastic time together. A very nice and honest man with a great attitude and love for his work and the club.

6) What was your favourite game to play in for Killie?
Killie against Ayr in the cup semi-final at Hampden. An incredible atmosphere that day and a cracking game for the community.

7) How disappointed were you to be unable to play in the 2012 league cup final?
I was gutted of course after playing every minute of the other cup games. I felt though like i played in that game. I was on the pitch with my team mates and I felt like i did my part. A wonderful day for us all. 

8) Who was your toughest opponent whilst playing in Scotland?
Gary Hooper was a very tough player to play against. Him and Samaras were great together! Both were really strong and fast. On their day they were a real handful.

9) What was your funniest moment at Killie?
Probably all the Xmas nights out with the team!

 10) What do you think of Kilmarnock this year under Steve Clarke?
We are flying. I recently watched the full match against Celtic at Rugby Park and I thought we looked like a proper team. Good players and really well organised. Every player looked like they knew exactly what to do in their position and worked with real togetherness. The plan worked perfectly. Steve Clarke has taken Killie into the top six after years and looks like he really means business. He has signed a great player in Mulumbu. Mulumbu and Jordan Jones are doing very well and even the back four impressed me in that game. A special mention also to Boydie. Looks like he has got Italian blood in him, nearly 35 and still going strong!

11) Finally and most importantly Pasca. Do you see yourself ever returning to Killie as a coach or manager in the future?
I would absolutely love to! KTID! Manu, Manuel... 

The Theatre of Pies

I was hooked like a drug-user the minute I got through my first ever turnstile.

That first smell of Bovril and smoke, the sound of Robbie Williams' Let Me Entertain You over the Tannoy blaring. The excitement of running up the stairs to watch your heroes warm up before the game. Tucking into a burning hot Killie Pie and spilling it all down the brand new jacket your mum told you to put on when you got there...and not wear it in the car so you would feel the benefit of it when you got outside.

Watching the way your idols controlled the ball and their running styles. I used to watch Kris Boyd run in his early days and tried to emulate it myself in the playground the next week at school. Fortunately he was in a pretty good nick at that time or I’d have been rolling down the wing instead, like he has in recent years.

Unfortunate Rangers and Celtic fans squabbling over pretending to be Henrik Larsson or Kenny Miller as we played five-a-side at lunch. I’d call out I was going to be Kris Boyd they looked at me like I was off my heed but I was never contested.

Hearing the Halls of Montezuma play as the teams came out the tunnel on the far side from my seat in the East Stand. Soaking up players names and songs I’d hear from the stands of Rugby Park. I would spend days collecting Panini stickers and setting them out in formation on my living room floor, discussing the upcoming games with anyone who would listen.

Having the experience of being able to go and learn whilst supporting your team was great. I totally loved seeing us play and especially win. For nearly twenty years I have followed Killie and I still get a buzz out of winning on a Saturday.

Losing on the other hand is something I don’t take kindly to. You would think I would be used to it by now, but no. Not just in football, I am pretty desperate to win at anything, so choosing Kilmarnock as my club would prove to be a mental but fantastic decision. I still take losses pretty badly now and it can ruin my full weekend. Thankfully Steve has us immortal in the last few months and I’m bloody loving it.

Luckily enough in my brief Killie life I have never seen us relegated, and we have won two cups. I have watched some excellent players such as Holt, Durrant, Cocard, Boyd, Naismith, Eremenko, Skora, Hay, Mulumbu and our lord and saviour Willie Gibson. [Sacrilege! The good lord Wullie is nameth Watters! Ed.] Willie Gibson still the only man I have ever seen wear a Regatta fleece as an Under Armour top.

I have had some incredible highs, such as Naismith’s hat trick at Fir Park and beating Celtic with that DVT header. To some terrible lows, like losing to Gretna 4-2 at Fir Park with Chad Harpur having an absolute nuke. Being destroyed by Rangers and Celtic. Losing to Ayr. The entire Locke era.

Would It have been easy to go watch Rangers and Celtic with the rest of my pals as a kid.  Yes, it would have been. Do I regret not going..? Absolutely F*cking Not!

Support your local team and ride the wave that is football. You will appreciate the highs you achieve after the agony of the lows you experienced. Be one of the few instead of being one of millions 💙

One to Eleven with Steven Cree

Today we are joined by Actor and lifelong Killie fan Steven Cree...

Appearing at half-time recently to do the draw, he had a shot at the crossbar challenge in front of the travelling Hibees in the Chadwick Stand. Steven, wearing brogues, nearly hit Crosshouse Hospital with his attempt! Afterwards, receiving sarcastic jeers from the travelling fans, he gave a warmly applauded two-fingered gesture back. Hilarious.

You may know Steven for his role as Ian Murray in the hit TV series Outlander, filmed in Ayrshire and various other parts of Scotland. He has also had guest roles in popular television programmes such as Shetland, Vera, Misfits and Silent Witness. Steven has featured in many films such as the animated film Brave in 2012 as Young Macintosh (voice over), starring with Billy Connolly, Julie Walters and Robbie Coltrane. In 2014 he played a part in 300 - The Rise Of An Empire and in American dark fantasy film Maleficent alongside superstar Angelina Jolie.

Following on from that sci-fi film 51 Degrees North and last year's hit Churchill, as Group Captain James Stagg. He played his fellow Scotsman and meteorologist that recommended the famous D -Day landings go ahead a day later than scheduled, ultimately saving thousands of lives and contributing heavily to the outcome of the second world war. Steven is starring in a new science fiction film out the 13th April in cinemas called The Titan. He will play Major Timothy Pike. Make sure you keep an eye out for that.

New feature this week is One to Eleven.
This will involve me asking Steven eleven questions about his own experiences as a supporter of Kilmarnock F.C. and his memories from his younger days.

Let’s get started

1) Who introduced you to Kilmarnock FC?
My dad, Gordon Cree.

2) What was your earliest Killie memory or game?
Can’t remember my first game but in the early days I didn’t enjoy it and always wanted to leave at half-time! I have many fond memories of the 2nd Division days when Tommy Burns came to us. I remember an away game, at Stranraer I think, a fight broke out in a pub and my Dad made my brother and I hide under a table. Innocent days...

3) Growing up as a kid who was your favourite Killie player?
That’s a toughie as there are loads but I was always a big fan of Tam Black! Monty is obviously right up there too.

4) Do you have a favourite Killie strip?
I think the Scottish cup winning strip of 1997 with the classic AT Mays sponsor has to be up there for obvious reasons.

5) Favourite away game supporting Killie?
Beating Rangers 2-1 at Ibrox in our first season back in the Premier League was incredible. I remember Bobby Williamson’s face as he tapped in the winner. The scenes of joy were incredible. Seeing us beat Hibs in the last game of the season a few seasons ago to ensure our survival was fairly magnificent too, if only to see Eremenko absolutely run the show. No one could touch him and it felt like as soon as he got a grip of the game, we could never lose. And of course Boydie popped up with the winner!

6) Favourite Killie song?
I’m particularly liking the Jordan Jones song right now being sung to Gold as that is my karaoke song!

7) What do you think of Killie's recent revival under Steve Clarke?
We’ve all run out of superlatives. I remember the excitement when Burns came to Killie. I remember the glory years of Bobby Williamson, European Football etc, Mixu coming and with the aid of Eremenko we played some of the best football in the league, Kenny Shiels obviously delivered one of our greatest wins ever but to my mind, Steve Clarke is the most exciting thing that’s happened to Killie in all of that time. The team has really been on its knees for a few years. Poor results. Poor crowds. A lot of disharmony at the club with Johnson. Continually just avoiding relegation or the play-offs. A succession of fairly uninspiring managers, no disrespect intended. When Steve Clarke was appointed I think we all hoped for better times but no one could have predicted this. Truly unbelievable and who knows what we could achieve next season with a full pre-season under his belt. It’s utterly remarkable and I think it has given the whole town a lift. Let’s just hope the media stop talking rubbish and trying to punt him off to another club.

8) Who is your current favourite player?
Ooft. I don’t think I have a favourite but I’m obviously loving what Mulumbu brings to the club and Boyd is just on an incredible run. O’Donnell is having an amazing season, Jones is a joy to watch and Greg Taylor has stepped up to the plate massively. I love the whole team!

9) Best memory supporting Kilmarnock?
Winning the Scottish Cup final. Though that memory is blurry as I got so drunk that night I climbed on the back of a stationary van at traffic lights then jumped off when it was doing about 30mph. Ended up in hospital needing 17 stitches in my head and a finger that almost required amputation. I still can’t feel it properly to this day. So that was certainly a ‘memorable’ night”

10) Do you still get to follow Killie often?
I come home from London as much as I can and go to the games as often as possible. Currently not as often as I’d like but I try my hardest. I’m suggesting to my wife we move back to Scotland soon!

11) Your favourite ever Killie XI?
Dragoje Lekovic, Tam Black, Ray Montgomerie, Neil Whitworth, Stephen O’Donnell, Youssouf Mulumbu, Tommy Burns, Alexei Eremenko, Ally Mitchell, Jordan Jones, Kris Boyd.

Finally I asked Steven if he would like to add a message for Killie fans young and old.

“I think all I would add really is how great it is being a Killie fan. I think a lot of fans outside of the old firm would agree, it’s brilliant supporting a smaller town team. We expect very little. When we beat Celtic in the final of the League Cup, it’s so unexpected for us that those victories will be with you for a lifetime. I think it must be a bit boring supporting a team like Celtic where you expect to win every match and every domestic competition. Obviously it didn’t used to be quite like that but it has been for some time now. So when we go on a run like we have recently it’s all the sweeter. Killie have a great history & tradition too, it’s a great club to be a part of. And now I’m sure in years to come people will talk of the Stevie Clarke years as one of the great periods in the clubs history. Arguably, it already is.”

Will anyone ever take the Killie Steven?

"Never, We’ll take Aberdeen soon though!"

Not only a talented actor but a diehard Killie fan. Thank you again to Steven for taking part. Hoping for more like these in the near future.

Scottish Media Agenda

Before I start this article, this is not a paranoid Celtic-esque rant. Many cold hard facts that the Scottish media are biased and out to help Glasgow’s ugly sisters get what they want.

Supporting your team isn’t always easy. My team Kilmarnock have been difficult to watch in the past 5 or so years under Locke, Johnston and McCulloch. Since our cup win under Kenny Shiels and then the strange sacking of him, we have struggled to really make any progress. Dwindling crowds and a resentment against Michael Johnston left the club on its knees.

Scraping by with 3,000 hardy souls going to Rugby Park out of blind loyalty. At some games I wish I had been blind temporarily because of the inept performances we were dishing out. Until the arrival of Steve Clarke in October and the incredible turnaround we have had. Fantastic performances, togetherness again, pride, belief, resilience and confidence. The club is soaring at the moment.

Like many other clubs fans in Scotland out with the Glasgow arse cheeks, you get your highs and lows. Relegation threatens many of the bottom six teams year in year out. Big clubs like the Edinburgh two have gone down and rebuilt themselves and achieved a Scottish cup win and two new fantastic stands.

Scottish and League cup wins in the last seven years or so for Inverness, Ross County, Kilmarnock, St Mirren, St Johnstone, Aberdeen and Hibernian. These days, especially for the smaller teams among that list, will go down in history as one of biggest achievements ever at their clubs. Proving that Scottish football can live without a strong Rangers and certainly gave the rest of the country a great boost.

Recently in the press and continuing at the minute is the praise of Steve Clarke and the turnaround he has created at my club. Whilst it is totally deserved and great coverage for the club, the press based mostly in Glasgow have started their own agenda to brainwash most Rangers supporters into the appointment of Steve Clarke as next Rangers manager. Alex Rae a little hun goblin and closet bear Chick Young pushing his ideas into every maniac stupid enough to believe it.

This is a problem for me personally as I am loving life under Steve Clarke although I know one day he will inevitably go back down south and do well. It is also a problem for Murty who is currently still in the job and these comments are totally undermining him as Rangers manager. Clarke has said quite clearly he doesn’t want to move to another Scottish club and is here for a project for a few years.

The media are good at saying Scotland’s game needs to be more competitive, as it is a whitewash every year for the old firm, whilst unsettling every other teams manager or player in country when they have any success.

Jordan Jones is flying this season and doing really well, so our media are desperate for him to sign for Rangers. Rangers are bidding £80 and a packet of Revels and Kilmarnock are supposed to bend over backwards to accept it. No way! They were even trying to fabricate a story how Middlesbrough supporting Jordan supported Rangers as a kid to appease the knuckle-draggers on sites like Follow Follow in case the slight suggestion he’s a Celtic man comes out.

Kilmarnock are doing well and we as fans are loving it. Clarke is enjoying it and Bowie has come out and told the press to get to France. Not the first time the press in Scotland create an agenda to force through moves. McInnes earlier in the season turning down Rangers was glorious. Clarke and Jones also turning them down at Christmas time also. Kilmarnock pumping them twice in a row absolutely priceless. If we beat them again I think we get to keep them.

Scottish media should be bloody ashamed of themselves. Support Kilmarnock’s revival for the good of Scottish football. Don’t try pick us apart at the first chance you get. The entitled nature of old firm fans is sickening. It is a big two fingers to them that Clarke is still here.

Scottish football is raging that we are doing well and I am loving it. Hopefully other teams out with the old firm can also become as successful as we have been in recent months. A great feeling. I feel every Killie fans pain when I hear these individuals on the radio plotting on how to upset this manager or player so they go to old firm.

In conclusion, support the underdog and don’t accept the nonsense these so called experts are saying. Congrats Billy Bowie for putting them in their place.

Let’s go for Europe

Twists Turns and Class of '93

Killie’s very own class of '93/'94

It would be Ayrshire’s Finest return to the top flight of the Scottish game, since being relegated in 1982/83 season, Kilmarnock fans had endured some difficult times. Falling into the second division for a year in late 1980's.

Kilmarnock in 1992/93 season would be promoted in second spot behind eventual champions Raith Rovers. Amassing 21 wins in 44 league matches. Cult hero Tommy Burns, the player manager, proving instrumental again in Kilmarnock’s success on and off the pitch. Burns had arrived in 1989 and helped drag Kilmarnock up and out of the old second division. Finishing in 2nd spot in the first division by the end of 1992/93 season winning the club promotion.

Burns would be a pivotal figure in '92/'93 season winning Killie promotion, featuring 39 times for the stripes that season. That year, a season which saw a few humpings of Ayr United and Morton and two consecutive 5-0 wins in a row, one of which was against old whipping boys Meadowbank. It would come down to a goalless draw though, at Rugby Park against Hamilton Accies. 13,000 bodies watched on as promotion was secured for Killie, finally back in the big time after over a decade of absence.

The summer of 1993 came and apart from myself being born early pre-season, highlights would include the signing of a certain 30-year-old Alan McInally, on a free from German giants Bayern Munich. Incidentally McInally, son of Killie legend Jackie and resident of the dark side of Ayrshire, struggled to feature much, only mustering 8 appearances before calling time on his career at the end of the season to come scoring zero goals. Further signings that summer would include 36 year old Billy Stark, Andy Millen from Accies and a young Colin Meldrum.

Killie would play their first match in a decade in Scotland’s top flight against Dundee at Rugby Park, winning 1-0 in front of 8,500 supporters. Form would be inconsistent across the season with varying results.

Scenes...
On 23rd August 1993, Kilmarnock played away at Ibrox with nobody giving us a hope in hell, having lost our three previous games. Rangers also hadn’t lost at Ibrox since March 1992 domestically. Kilmarnock supporters flocked to Govan in their thousands taking over the Broomloan Stand behind the goals. Kilmarnock would line up against a Rangers team flooded with internationals including Durrant, Hateley, Steven and Gough.

After an even first half it would be a dream goal for 17 year old Killie supporting forward Mark Roberts with a diving header in the 62nd minute, sticking the Ayrshire side ahead. Unfortunately ten minutes later a young Steven Pressley would rise above Geddes and nod into empty net. Game on.

Time wore on with Killie coming close on occasion. Until a aimless ball by MacPherson is put into the corner down the right and is chased down and won back by Killie a shot from edge of box is parried by Maxwell in the Rangers goal and as if in slow motion Bobby Williamson gets in front of Trevor Steven and taps it into the net.

GOAAAAAAAALLLLL!

96 minutes on the clock. Absolute bedlam in the Killie end which I have watched numerous times on the video and heard many stories from my dad about that day.

Our line up: Bobby Geddes; Gus MacPherson, Andy Millen, Ray Montgomerie, Tam Black; Mark Skilling, Ally Mitchell, Mark Roberts (Ian Porteous 90 min), Sean McSkimming; Bobby Williamson, George McCluskey (Tom Brown, 90 min).

A very hit or miss next eight months follow with Killie floating just above the three place relegation zone. A win over the South side of Symington in the 3rd round of the Scottish cup would be the catalyst for us reaching the Scottish cup semi finals, losing unluckily in a replay to Rangers.

Celtic also fell to the mighty Killie in April '94 after coming to Ruggers and getting pumped 2-0.

Kilmarnock would go into the last two games of the season with Rangers and Hibernian as our opposition. It was a tough task ahead with survival the aim, but Kilmarnock found some consistency and skelped the Bosch 2-0 at Rugby Park in front of 18,102 souls. This would be the final game at the old Rugby Park stadium before moving into the current format.

D-Day
It would come down to match day 44, the final fixture of the season. Killie needing a point to avoid the last of the three relegation places due to crazy league reconstruction which reduced league size from 12 to 10. Killie ventured to Leith knowing they would be in a three-way battle with Partick and St Johnstone to avoid that final relegation place. Having gone down to the wire on final day of season the year previously, drawing 0-0 with Accies to clinch promotion, the Killie boys had some experience under this pressure.

 The atmosphere was nervous and cagey. Killie had contributed 6,000 of the 9,500 support at Easter Road that day, knowing a point would be enough. Fans loud and cheering Ayrshire’s finest on. Tommy Burns played in what would be his final game as player and manager of Kilmarnock that day, joining Celtic, his boyhood heroes, in the summer, replacing Lou Macari.

Burns played only 12 games that season and his final game he would lead the team to the point that they needed. Securing a 0-0 draw and an eighth place finish in the league. Killie would finish with 12 wins and 16 draws. Top goalscorer and future Killie legend Bobby Williamson with only 7 goals. A nervous encounter which I have heard much about. God knows where we would have been if we had gone down that day. Thank god.

Killie 25 years later still never taken by relegation. Pushing forward and back to where we belong.

This team including legends such as Tommy Burns, Gus, Monty and Williamson laid the foundations for our recent glories to happen. The fans turning out in incredible numbers at Ibrox and Easter Road, backing the boys. Hopefully we will see it increase again soon. Aberdeen being the start. We go to Ibrox on Saturday hoping for another 95th minute winner.

That season a period of time many of you will have lived through and appreciated going with your friends and family. My papa (who recently passed away) was in his element at Ibrox that day with my Dad, celebrating Bobby Williamson’s winner. A photo that sums him up, a good Killie man at his happiest, celebrating with his boy.

Thanks for listening
Forever and Ever

He's...Dynamite

Remembering Killie heroes of the past.

This week, we dive into 90's to remember...

Paul “Bunion” Wright

A player many Kilmarnock fans will remember fondly as the hero in our 1997 Scottish Cup winning success against Falkirk at Ibrox. Paul started his career up in Aberdeen at the time Alex Ferguson was manager and made his debut under Sir Alex in 1984. He made 67 appearances for the Dons in his five year spell scoring 16 goals. The striking options at Aberdeen led to him not getting much game time and he decided to try his luck down south.

Paul moved to Queens Park Rangers in 1989-90 season playing only one season at Loftus Road scoring 5 goals for them in 15 appearances. On 11th November a highlight of Paul’s time at QPR was scoring a brace against an incredible Liverpool team at Loftus Road in a 3-2 win. Paul decided a move back up to Scotland with Hibernian may reignite his career north of the border. Alex Miller brought him to the club. Playing 36 games that season scoring 7 league goals. Hibernian finished 9th in league that season.

St Johnstone would become Wright’s 4th club in the summer of 1991. St Johnstone paid a club record fee of £275,000 to bring him to Perth. This would be the start of Wright’s real peak in his career. He would go on to play from 1991-1995 with the Saints amassing 112 games in this period scoring 40 goals. St Johnstone would then sign Billy Dodds in 1994 for a standing club record fee of £400,000.

1995 - 
Kilmarnock come calling

Kilmarnock have bid accepted for Paul Wright for a club record fee of £340,000 some serious cash being thrown around in those days. Kilmarnock also received 300,000 for Shaun McSkimming from Motherwell that year. Wright’s first Killie goal came on 13/05/1995 away at his old club Hibernian in a 2-1 defeat the only goal he scored in his first season at the club. Scored his first brace in a 5-1 win over Raith Rovers at Rugby Park in November '95.

He would go on to play 148 times for the Ayrshire-men scoring 40 goals in his time at Rugby Park.
Paul would cement his name in Kilmarnock F.C. history books in May 24th 1997 in the 112th Scottish Cup Final at Ibrox. 
A scrambled in 20th minute winner in a 1-0 victory in front of a sell out Ibrox Stadium. A goal in which I have seen a million times on video but wasn’t aged to go at the time being nearly 4 years old.

Here he is speaking after the game talking about the goal and about Alex Totten the Falkirk manager.
“I didn’t hit the ball well. As it came to me I didn’t manage to get a good contact, but those are the ones that usually go in. It wasn’t the best goal of my career, but it was the most important and the most satisfying.” Wright embraced Totten at the end and said: “I wanted to speak to Alex, who is a friend as well as a former manager. I’ve scored more goals and played in more games for that man than anybody. I told him I was sorry for scoring the goal.”

A game many supporters I’m sure will have fond memories of going to. Seeing Falkirk getting their equaliser ruled out by the referee and Monty lifting the cup in front of 24,000 Kilmarnock fans would have been glorious.

Upon qualifying for Europe in late nineties, Wright scored a penalty away in Nice in a 3-1 to defeat. He wouldn’t be involved in the games versus Kaiserslautern, but scored twice in home leg versus Shelbourne. Another penalty after a wonder strike from Shelbourne player put them up 1-0. Wright equalised from the spot before a lovely reverse pass from Pat Nevin set him free in the box to lob the goalkeeper from close range and secure a 2-1 victory for Killie.

Paul Wright played through until 2001 before eventually being ousted from the team by a young Kris Boyd. Remembering taking Boyd through drills to improve his touch and finishing ability something in which they both shared in their careers. He would score a hat trick against St Mirren on Boxing Day 2000 which would be his swan song year at Kilmarnock.

Wright moved on in 2001 -2002 season to play with Falkirk, the team he had scored the winner against in Scottish Cup final five years previously.
 Winding down his career he managed only two goals in 12 starts for the Bairns before moving to Morton the following season, where he scored a similar 4 goals in only 13 apps. Wright then had a very brief spell at Larkhall Thistle but never made an appearance. Boots then firmly hung up in June 2003.

Paul moved into coaching with the Kilmarnock youth teams at various levels and worked there for a number of years, developing some of our best youths through to the first team. Wright managed BSC Glasgow under 20’s, a Scottish lowland league team, until recently joining Bonnyton Thistle with another Kilmarnock Legend, Alan Robertson, a man he knew well from his days working at youth teams with us. A well remembered face and a guy who gave his all for the jersey and scored some important goals in a relatively successful period in the late nineties for our club.

He’s blue...he’s white …

Super Ally Mitchell

Remembering Ally

This time we look back at a player many will remember from the 90’s.

Ally Mitchell

Kilmarnock F.C. Legend (Born 1968, Kirkcaldy)

He started playing with his local junior side Ballingry Rovers after playing two seasons then was snatched up by East Fife. Ally spent three seasons at the club playing 87 times contributing a respectable 23 goals from midfield. He spent 3 seasons (88-91) at the Fifers before attracting interest from the mighty Ayrshire Killie in the summer of 1991.

Kilmarnock signed Mitchell in July 1991, paying £100,000 to East Fife for his services.

Ally would be joining a team with future club legends Ray Montgomerie, Gus MacPherson and Tommy Burns within the squad. Ally made his first appearance for the Killie boys against Hamilton at Rugby Park in August 1991. This would be the first of a fantastic career at the club.

Scored his first goal for Kilmarnock away at Stirling Albion in October 1991.  Mitchell became a fan favourite at the club due to his hard work and bustling performances. He was given the nickname “Bully” by the Kilmarnock faithful. At only five foot seven he gave what he got and more.

 A versatile guy he played in a few positions for Kilmarnock over the years. Predominantly a central midfielder or wide player. Ally contributed to Kilmarnock F.C. promotion to Premier League in '92/'93 finishing behind Raith Rovers.  Joined in good company with charismatic Tommy Burns and Shaun McSkimming in midfield with him.

Ally then played in premier league for next 11 years with Kilmarnock, amassing an exceptional 363 appearances for the club. In that time scoring 45 goals and creating many more for his teammates.

Myself having only been born in 1993 and never having seen us been out of the Premier league in my lifetime I can briefly remember an ageing Ally as I started attending games not long after our Scottish Cup success which he was part of.

My dad and papa think most Kilmarnock supporters took well to Ally in his decade and a bit at the club and enjoyed watching him play for us. A player when researching this I didn’t realise had played so many times with the club. A Fantastic servant.

Bully’s arguably most important goal of the 45 he scored in the stripes came at Ibrox on May 2nd 1998. Scoring in what was a very telling game as it would be a winner at Ibrox 1-0 for Killie. Which stopped Rangers clinching ten in a row. Also attempting to achieve Kilmarnock a European place for the following season.

Ally spoke about this Goal saying: “I still talk to people who tell me they can remember exactly where they were and what they were doing when I scored. You don’t realise how many people are affected by something like that. Celtic drew at Dunfermline the next day so our win effectively cost Rangers 10 in a row, which makes it easily the most important goal I’ve ever scored. The whole 10-in-a-row thing tended to overshadow the fact that we were also going for a place in Europe and we got that result for Kilmarnock Football Club, not Celtic or Rangers”
A dedicated professional only interested in one team his own.

In November 1999 Mitchell was given a testimonial match against Everton for a decade's service at Kilmarnock.

In his time at Kilmarnock he played 13 times in Europe against Kaiserslautern, Nice etc and was part of the last team to win now defunct Ayrshire Cup against the great unwashed.

Super Ally would call a halt to his career at our beloved club in 2003 under the guidance of Jim Jeffries at the time. Making a final appearance against Dundee Utd from bench.

He would go on to play with St Mirren a dozen times in an attempt to get game time before returning and finished his career at East Fife where it all began for Bully.

After retiring he had a brief stint at managing Lochore Welfare a local junior club in Fife. This spell lasted a year before parting ways in 2008.

A Kilmarnock Legend a successful and honest player. Who travelled through some of the best moments of recent past with our club.

A tribute to him from limited information I know and found out about him.

We’ve got…Ally, Ally, Ally Mitchell…