Kilmarnock FC will tke part in the South West Challenge Cup against a mouthwatering collection of “real” football teams. The tournie will beheld at several grounds in North Devon between Mon 19th and Sun 25th July.

ACCRINGTON STANLEY FC.
BARNSTAPLE TOWN FC.                        
BIDEFORD AFC.
DONCASTER ROVERS FC.
EASTLEIGH.                      
HAVANT & WATERLOOVILLE FC.
ILFRACOMBE TOWN FC.  
KILMARNOCK FC. 
LEYTON ORIENT FC.
RUSHDEN & DIAMONDS FC.
SHREWSBURY TOWN FC.
TRURO CITY FC.

Find out more at www.southwestchallengecup.co.uk

Do we want this man to be Killie manager next season?

More importantly, does Michael Johnston want him?

I suspect like many considerations it will come down to money.

Calderwood has an out. He can insist that the club make funds available for players. He has expressed such a desire already, but we must suspect what really lies behind the posturing is “will a bigger or richer club want me”. The club also have an easy out. Johnston says there were around 50 applications for the manager’s job when Jeffries left, so it’s no problem for us to find someone else; and there is the added excitement of the availability of Killie favourite, Gus MacPherson, who was let go by the Buddies at the end of the season.

But what do the fans want? It may be an insignificant consideration in the chairman’s mind or it may be uppermost in his deliberations, but fans nevertheless want to feel connected and that they can hold some influenece.

I know some fans want Calderwood to stay, but few that I speak to. I get the impression that he is viewed as a “career manager”, a lot like Jeffries, who will only commit to Killie until something better comes along. It’s a mere job, with no special conenction or loyalty. Same as everyone you might say. Same as the feted Tommy Burns you may say. And at least Calderwood immediately started using the term “we” when referring to Killie, a perceived failing of Jim Jeffries.

Nevertheless, despite these qualifications, I still consider that the club needs a boost now more than ever. A boost that can only come with a “special one” that can make the fans and players feel they are part of something bigger, something wonderful. A community manager: one who has charisma and charm and passion and can communicate this to players, club-employees and fans at all levels.With the best of intentions, this ideal is far removed from Calderwood. Maybe at Aberdeen he could regain his place in the firmament, but at Kilmarnock I think he’s a fallen star.

I also can’t see how trainee-manager Ian Durant would catalyse a revival. It worked with TB, but he had that common touch, and the situation with the club and community were very different in those days.

Is this ideal manager out there? Would ex-player MacPherson fit the bill?

We shall see how it pans out. Hopefully by the time we get a new manager in place we will still have a few players for him to choose from!

The final game of the season and Killie are 2 points from the bottom. Falkirk are propping up the SPL and we face them tomorrow at Rugby Park in what looks certain to be Kyle’s (and probably several others’) last game for us. As long as we don’t lose we will be safe. If we lose we are down and perhaps gone.

Call me a morose and ungrateful after the great comeback at Pittodrie, but I almost wish we hadn’t won, but drawn that game. If we were level or only 1 point above Falkirk I would feel that the team would treat tomorrow’s game with the necessary respect. As is stands I worry that – sub-consciously – the players might disregard the promptings of the management and feel that their job has been done. Instead of trying to win the game, they might feel a level of comfort with a draw and end up losing a sucker punch of a goal right at the end.

Let’s get a good crowd through the gates to support the team. No moaning, no carping. Just a collective force of will to make sure those on the park do the business. It’s do or die time.

Message to the Killie players:

Remember that to lose by just one goal will mean disaster. We need to win this match.

One last fight – right to the end of the game, right to the final whistle.

Never give in, even if you are ahead.

Don’t defend a lead, but take the game to them for the full 90 mins. Give every last effort until you cannot stand up!

You can do it guys.

We’ll be there with you.

After a poor first half ending 1-0 down, Killie pulled it back in the second half through Kelly and Kyle.

A different team in the 2nd half saw Killie create a bundle of chances which were squandered, then Kelly scored to level it, then super sub Owens crossed for Kyle yo bullet home the winner. Killie thoroughly deserved their win in the end. Combe also made a good save to keep the score intact.

Fanatastic result. Falkirk played out a poor 0-0 draw with St. Johnstone and we are now 2 points above the Bairns going into Saturday’s decider.  We need a draw. Falkirk need to win.

2 wins in 12 games, both wins against aberdeen. Strange one.

WE NEED TO PLAY FOR THE WIN ON SATURDAY, NOT THE DRAW.

FALKIRK NEEDED A WIN AT THE SAME TIME LAST SEASON AND GOT IT, PUTTING ICT DOWN.

FIGHT FIGHT FIGHT KILLIE.