Killie TrustKillie Trust

    Killie Trust

    Club Director Monthly Update - December 2020

    Join Opt Out
    Join Renew

    Join Opt Out
    Join Renew

    18/12/2020

    Dear Killie Trust member,

    Welcome to the December Director’s Update where once again I aim to let you know about some of the key developments in the Club and give some information on what is happening behind the scenes, while we can’t come together at matches in the stadium.

     
    Update on Covid-19

    The impact of Covid-19 continues to be felt by clubs across Scotland, and Kilmarnock is no different in feeling the impact of loss of revenue, while fans are unable to attend matches.  At this point in time we are heading towards a significant loss for the financial year, and have continued on the business side to prioritise doing as much as we can to bring money in. 

    The Board is grateful to the Killie Trust for continued financial input which, along with personal commitments of finance from Billy Bowie and Phyllis McLeish, has ensured that we can continue to function.

    We are also immensely grateful to the fans who bought season passes, made purchases in the Killie Shop and/or Killie Club, used Pay-per-View, became shareholders or added to their shares, and subscribed to the Killie Cares Fund, all of which has helped see us through difficult times.

    The Scottish Government has indicated that there will be some funding for football made available, although for Premiership clubs this would be in form of loans. We have no further information on this but hope to hear the detail soon.

    We were disappointed by the outcome of the SPFL tribunal regarding Covid-19 breaches. We were pleased that it was accepted that our stadium arrangements were acceptable. However, the Club ultimately accepted that by following, in good faith, the general Scottish Government guidelines regarding bus seating and matchday meal seating in hotels while travelling to away match, this was not as a whole in line with what SPFL specifically required. We have asked that the SPFL revise and update guidance to all clubs, as we believe others had been following the same procedures.

    The Club was particularly disappointed at the sanctions imposed as we believe these were not proportionate, and we have submitted an appeal. We do not have a confirmed date for the Appeal hearing as yet.

    We have regular monitoring and review of our Covid protocols, which involves the Club Secretary, Health and Safety Officer, Club Doctor, Club Safety Officer, Safety Officer and Stadium staff, with update advice issued to players and staff on a weekly basis.

     

    Route Map for fans' return to football

    Since my last report, we are not any nearer to seeing fans return to the stadium. Directors have participated in calls with the SPFL on discussions with Scottish Government to try to establish a route map for this, particularly given the limited return of fans in EPL.

    Billy Bowie and I held a Zoom meeting with local elected representatives involving the main political parties and covering UK and Scottish Parliaments and East Ayrshire Council. As well as briefing them on the current position in relation to KFC, we sought their support to raise the issue and seek to find a way forward which would give a clearer indication of when and how fans may be able to return.

    This is particularly important as we move into the new year, when we would normally be starting to plan for the following season and our season ticket campaign. As things stand, we would face significant financial issues if fans were not able to return at all this season.

    All of the representatives fully understood the wider impact on the community as well as on the football club itself.

     

    Fan Satisfaction Survey

    Thank you to the 393 fans who took the time to complete the Club Fan Satisfaction Survey. This is the first time we have used an online survey and the feedback has been very useful.
     
    In summary, this is what the survey results told us:
     
    Killie TV
     
    General feedback from fans was that  match commentary has improved with the addition of former players, with overwhelming demand to see this continue.

    • Of the 274 people who replied to the question about the Killie TV support system: 32% Very Positive, 31% positive, 35% neutral, 1% negative, 1% very negative (1%  equates to 7 people)
    • 92% of respondents said the PPV information was easy to find and follow.
     
    Killie Shop
     
    344 fans answered the question about visiting the shop in the past three months and they were asked about the new range in-store and online.

    • 47% had a very positive experience, 34% positive, 17% neutral, 2% negative (equates to 5 people)
    • There was a mix of suggestions on what people would like to see next (including more retro tops, which will be coming soon! )
     
    Match Programme
     
    • 60% of the 392 replies said they had not bought a programme in the past 12 months
    • There was a mix of replies to why people do and don’t buy the programme, which we are analysing further
    • 69% of the 375 replies would not be in favour of the programme being digital-only

     

    Killie Club

    • 264 fans replied with views on the refurbished Killie Club and the standard of the food with 40% very positive, 32% positive, 26% neutral
    • Of the 380 replies, 49% said the addition of the coffee shop element would make them more like to visit the Killie Club, 32% perhaps, 19% no
     
    A number of suggestions made in the survey will be explored  further, including the match programme, as we would like to ensure the content and style appeals across all of our supporters, including our junior fans. 
    Commercial

    Retail

    As outlined in my introduction, the retail operations have been a crucial part of bringing revenue into the Club. During the level 4 lockdown, the shop was not able to open to customers, but continued to take online orders and operate a Click and Collect system. Sales have continued to be good, with a record-breaking sales in the Home & Away jerseys, supported by the great uptake on the Cyber Monday and Black Friday offers, which lead to almost 300 jerseys being sold in the 4-day weekend. You can visit the shop online here.

    The Killie LTD clothing range, which was developed taking account of feedback from fans who wanted a modern, fresh take on apparel that wasn’t heavily club branded has sold over 500 units to date. The Ladies full zip hoody, which was introduced in the line early December has now sold over half of the stock levels. The commercial team have some great plans to enhance this line as we head into 2021.

    The Blue Bricks have been selling extremely well, with almost 250 sold to date. These will start to appear on the wall this side of Christmas, so if you got in there fast, keep your eyes peeled for you brick appearing very soon.

    The launch of our first book in over a decade with Kilmarnock FC: 150 Years in the Making has been a monumental success for us. The book has sold over 600 copies so far and we are on track to have most of our initial stock sold early in January 2021. Fans waiting to get their hands on it needn’t worry, as we’ll make sure there is enough stock as we head into the new year.

    This year we missed our annual Calendar signing, which is always a great event that the Players love as it allows them to interact with our fans. Sadly, due to the global pandemic, we have had to abandon plans for this event. To ensure fans didn’t miss out, we made sure that every copy would come signed and produced the 2021 issue with pre-signed signatures. This will allow fans the chance to show off their favourite player’s signature as it’s pinned on their walls. These are available in the Killie Shop instore and online for £10.

     

    Killie Club

    With the Killie Club again having been impacted by the Covid restrictions, the decision was taken not to re-open when level 4 was reduced to level 3. This decision was taken based on previous experience of numbers using the facility and estimated takings. Going forward and depending on the future limitations as a result of Covid, we will review how best we can use the space – bearing in mind that it was originally developed to provide for a busy matchday, to accommodate evening events and to double up for players meals on training days.

    Killie Cares Fund (formerly Killie Lotto)

    850 people on average are now playing on the Killie Cares Fund online platform. The commercial team is looking at how best to promote this to our supporters in the new year. So keep your eyes peeled for some new incentives that are planned to be rolled out as we head into 2021.

    Killie Heritage Brand

    Another new partnership between the Killie Trust and the Club saw the launch of the Killie Heritage brand, where the Trust has become the latest officially-licensed partner. This has allowed the Trust to begin the sale of limited-edition prints, and have access to photographic archives, to develop more niche items than can be stocked in the shop.

     

    Media and Communications
    As well as working on the Fan Satisfaction Survey, the team worked with the commercial staff on our 12 Days of Christmas campaign. This was designed to thank various sponsors and partners and, as a result of their ongoing support, a number of prize draws were offered to supporters.

    The We Are Killie Podcast with Manager Alex Dyer has been one of the most listened to in the series, and gave fans the chance to find out more about his background and interests as well as his football philosophy.

    In addition to daily social media and website updates, the team has continued to experiment with different feature formats for our Killie TV coverage including Stuart Findlay’s Breakdown of a Game and marking Kirk Broadfoot’s 100 Killie appearances.
     
    Additional input has given more publicity to the Women’s Team. The Head of Media has been working with City of Glasgow College to enable students to be involved in match reporting for Women’s Team, and ensure there is also cover for match photos.

    The Head of Media has also been working with the Killie Trust in relation to the Killie Histories podcast, and how we can ensure that they can be continued and given as much exposure as possible.

     

    Football Department
    The last few fixtures have not been as successful as we would have hoped and the Manager has been working with the players to address this as we move into the busy Christmas fixture list. Discussions are also taking place ahead of the January transfer window. The Board has tried to protect the budget for playing side despite overall finances being tight.  The Football Department is working hard to ensure we are able to have the strongest possible squad available, however it is a reality that, like many other clubs, we do not have the ability to move outside of what has been budgeted.

    The Youth Academy programme has continued in line with Covid restrictions, and we have utilised the Government’s flexible furlough scheme to support staff for whom their usual hours / duties are not available.

    The schools programme takes a break over the Christmas period and will return in January. Staff will continue on furlough either in whole or in part until programmes resume.

    Discussions have continued with the Scottish Football Association on the future shape of youth Academy football, as the requirements of Project Brave are proving challenging financially for many clubs. However, we have not yet received information on the detail of any changes, or the finances which will support youth academies going forward. As a Club, we have made clear that we are committed to having a Youth Academy which will provide best experience we can for young players, and which has positive links with KCST and young teams – boys and girls – going forward.

    After a long association with KFC as a player and Head of Academy recruitment/coach Alan Mahood has left the club to pursue other opportunities and we wish him well for the future. 

    The Women’s team fixtures have now ended for 2020 and will return in 2021.  Several new signings have been brought on board and the team hope to have improved results in the months ahead. It has been good to see more of our fans taking an interest in the women’s team and showing their support on social media. 

     

    Community Engagement
    Covid restrictions continue to make it difficult to be involved in as many community initiatives as we would like. However, the Club was pleased to support and facilitate the annual Bring a Gift event, organised by KFCSA. This resulted in some 651 gifts and £125 in vouchers being handed over to East Ayrshire Churches Homelessness Action to help provide Christmas cheer to local children and young people.

    On the same day, the Killie Trust organised a collection for East Ayrshire Foodbank, which also had a fantastic response.  Seeing everyone work together for the benefit of others, and the generous response of fans in these difficult times, was both humbling and brought a real sense of pride in our Killie family!

    Captain Conker came along to support the event, which was great given involvement of the Killie Trust, KFCSA and KCST in bringing him to the Club!

    More good work is being undertaken by KCST who have organised for hampers to be distributed to people in need as part of their Mission Christmas campaign. Thanks to the numerous club partners who generously donated to these.  I look forward to the activity around this being released over the next few days.

    Sadly, the Players can’t visit the Children’s Ward at Crosshouse Hospital this year with our Charity Partner Crosshouse Children’s Fund (CCF), but the commercial and community team have made sure that they still got some Killie goodies and held a Zoom call on Friday 18th December for some of the Children to speak to a selection of our players.
     

     

    Last but not least…
    As Christmas approaches, everyone at the Club would like to wish you all the best for the festive season and the year ahead. We very much hope that we will be able to be back together as the Killie family in the near future, but meantime please enjoy Christmas safely!
     
    I can be contacted in the usual ways:

    Email: [email protected]
    Facebook: Cathy Jamieson
    Twitter: @cathyjamieson
    Instagram: cathyjamiesonkillie

    Best wishes

    Cathy

    ‹ Back to Blog Headlines

      Killie Trust

      Website Privacy Statement

      Our policy relating to data collection and privacy has fairness at its heart and is never intended to cause objection or complaint and to that end if there is any dubiety we will not store your information. As a business we wish to stay in communication with your and keep you up to date with news, offers and updates on our product which you may find of interest, but we will only do this with your clear and specific consent.

      Standard Privacy Policy

      This privacy policy sets out how KILLIE TRUST uses and protects any information that you give KILLIE TRUST when you use this website.

      KILLIE TRUST is committed to ensuring that your privacy is protected. Should we ask you to provide certain information by which you can be identified when using this website, then you can be assured that it will only be used in accordance with this privacy statement.

      KILLIE TRUST may change this policy from time to time by updating this page. You should check this page from time to time to ensure that you are happy with any changes. This policy is effective from 13th Jun 2018 

      Security

      We are committed to ensuring that your information is secure. To prevent unauthorised access or disclosure, we have put in place suitable physical, electronic and managerial procedures to safeguard and secure the information we collect online and offline.

      Where we collect this information

      As a business we collect data for a number of sources, but our data policy applies to all of the following including personal data collected at reception, check in, exhibitions, on and off-line competitions, guest questionnaires, online bookings, online communications, digital newsletter sign ups from websites and social media, shared promotions with partners and others not listed.

      We confirm that unless specific consent is given by the user the information shared will not be stored beyond the purpose intended. If specific consent is given to use the information collected it will be stored securely and digitally encrypted and password protected. 

      How we use cookies

      A cookie is a small file which asks permission to be placed on your computer's hard drive. Once you agree, the file is added and the cookie helps analyse web traffic or lets you know when you visit a particular site. Cookies allow web applications to respond to you as an individual. The web application can tailor its operations to your needs, likes and dislikes by gathering and remembering information about your preferences.
      We use traffic log cookies to identify which pages are being used. This helps us analyse data, using Google Analytics normally but on occasion other aggregation tools that advise us about web page traffic and improve our website in order to tailor it to customer needs. We only use this information for statistical analysis purposes and then the data is removed from the system.

      Overall, cookies help us provide you with a better website, by enabling us to monitor which pages you find useful and which you do not. A cookie in no way gives us access to your computer or any information about you, other than the data you choose to share with us.

      You can choose to accept or decline cookies. Most web browsers automatically accept cookies, but you can usually modify your browser setting to decline cookies if you prefer. This may prevent you from taking full advantage of the website.

      Links to other websites

      Our website may contain links to other websites of interest. However, once you have used these links to leave our site, you should note that we do not have any control over that other website. Therefore, we cannot be responsible for the protection and privacy of any information which you provide whilst visiting such sites and such sites are not governed by this privacy statement. You should exercise caution and look at the privacy statement applicable to the website in question.

      Controlling your personal information

      You may choose to restrict the collection or use of your personal information in the following ways:
      ●    whenever you are asked to fill in a form on the website, look for the box that you can click to indicate that you do not want the information to be used by anybody for direct marketing purposes
      ●    if you have previously agreed to us using your personal information for direct marketing purposes, you may change your mind at any time by writing to or emailing us or by clicking unsubscribe where available.

      We will not sell, distribute or lease your personal information to third parties unless we have your permission or are required by law to do so. We may use your personal information to send you promotional information about third parties which we think you may find interesting only if you specifically consent to us that you wish this to happen.
      We undertake that third parties will only include businesses that support our business and your stay such as travel providers, visitor attractions, event providers and others directly related to our business offering.

      If you believe that any information we are holding on you is incorrect or incomplete, please write to or email us [email protected] as soon as possible, at the above address. We will promptly correct any information found to be incorrect.

      Our Website and In House Data Collection Policy

      Our email collection policy is fully consent based and in entering your details clear consent is given by the user to receive future marketing materials from ourselves. The following information makes clear our policy on use of consent based email marketing and communications.

      What we collect

      We may collect the following information on a consent only basis:
      ●    name and job title
      ●    contact information including email address
      ●    demographic information such as postcode, preferences and interests
      ●    other information relevant to customer surveys and/or offers

      What we do with the information we gather

      The majority of the information we gather is required for contractual and legal purposes and to allow us to offer products and services as purchased. 
      When consent is given to use the information for marketing and communication purposes it is used for the following reasons:
      ●    We may periodically send promotional emails about new products, special offers or other information which we think you may find interesting using the email address which you have provided.
      ●    From time to time, we may also use your information to contact you using your provided email address for market research purposes. 

      Your information will never be shared with any third parties and at all times you have the right to unsubscribe permanently from our database with a simple click of the unsubscribe information at which time your details will be deleted from the mailing lists and removed from the database permanently with no archived records retained.
       

      Killie Trust

      Website Terms and Conditions

      Your use of the Killie Trust Web Site is subject to these terms and by using the Site you show your agreement to such terms. If you do not accept our terms, please do not use the Web Site.

      Ownership of Web Site

      This Web Site belongs to Killie Trust.

      Headings

      Headings used in these terms and conditions are for convenience only and shall not affect their interpretation.

      Trademarks

      The images, logos and names on this Web Site which identify Killie Trust or third parties and their products and services are proprietary marks of Killie Trust and/or the relevant third parties. Nothing contained in this Web Site shall be deemed to confer on any person any license or right on the part of Killie Trust or any third party with respect to any such image, logo or name.

      Alterations

      Killie Trust reserves the right, at any time and without prior notice, to remove or cease to supply any product or service contained on this Web Site. In the event that such removal takes place we shall not be liable to you in any way whatsoever for such removal.

      Phone Calls and Emails

      Telephone calls using the telephone numbers provided on this Web Site and email correspondence with Killie Trust at the email addresses accessible through, or discernible from, this Web Site may be recorded or monitored. By using such communication methods you are consenting to the recording or monitoring of the same.

      Telephone charges

      The price of calls may vary depending on your telecoms supplier. Please check with your operator for exact charges.

      WEBSITE POLICIES

      Commercial use

      This Web Site is for non-commercial, personal use only. The services contained on this Web Site may be supplied on a commercial basis on payment to Killie Trust or its service or product suppliers of its charges from time to time.

      In the event that you use any of the services contained on this Web Site for commercial use, Killie Trust shall be entitled to charge you at its applicable rates in respect of such commercial use.

      Copyright

      The copyright in the material contained in this Web Site belongs to Killie Trust or its licensed source. Any person may copy any part of this material, subject to the following conditions:

      the material may not be used for commercial purposes;

      the copies must retain any copyrights or other intellectual property notices contained in the original material;

      the products and technology or processes described in this Web Site may be subject to other intellectual property rights reserved by Killie Trust or by other third parties with no license granted in respect of those intellectual property rights); images on this Web Site are protected by copyright as its text by IPR and may not be reproduced or appropriated in any manner without the written permission of their respective owner(s).

      Changes to Terms and Records of Agreements

      We reserve the right to change these terms and conditions at any time by posting changes on the Web Site. It is your responsibility to review the Web Site terms and conditions to ensure you are aware of the latest terms and conditions. Your use of this Web Site after a change has been posted will be deemed to signify your acceptance of the modified terms and conditions. We recommend that you print off and retain for your records a copy of these terms and conditions from time to time and a copy of any terms and conditions relating to any product or service which you apply for online, together with any related application form completed and submitted.

      Any amendment to terms and conditions must be agreed in writing by us, or, if appropriate, by the relevant company or individual supplier with whom you contract.

      Disclaimers

      Whilst Killie Trust has taken due care and attention in the preparation of the contents of this Web Site, this Web Site and the information, names, images, pictures, logos, icons regarding or relating to Killie Trust or our products and services marketed on the site (or to third party products and services), are provided on an 'as is' basis without any representation or endorsement being made and without any warranty of any kind, whether express or implied, including but not limited to, any implied warranties of satisfactory quality, fitness for a particular purpose, non-infringement, compatibility, security and accuracy.

      To the extent permitted by law, all such terms and warranties are hereby excluded. In no event will Killie Trust be liable, whether in contract or tort (including negligence or breach of statutory duty) or otherwise for any losses sustained and arising out of or in connection with use of this Web Site including, without limitation, loss of profits, loss of data or loss of goodwill (in all these cases whether direct or indirect) nor any indirect, economic, consequential or special loss.

      Killie Trust does not represent that the information contained in this Web Site is accurate, comprehensive, verified or complete, and shall accept no liability for the accuracy or completeness of the information contained in this Web Site or for any reliance placed by any person on the information.

      Killie Trust does not warrant that the functions or materials accessible from or contained in this Web Site will be uninterrupted or error free, that defects will be corrected or that this Web Site or the server that makes it available are virus or bug free or represent the full functionality, accuracy, reliability of the materials.

      If any of these Terms and Conditions (or any terms and conditions relating to a product or service referred to in this Web Site) should be determined to be illegal, invalid or otherwise unenforceable by reason of the laws of any state or country in which such terms and conditions are intended to be effective, then to the extent of such illegality, invalidity or unenforceability, and in relation to such state or country only, such terms or condition shall be deleted and severed from the rest of the relevant terms and conditions and the remaining terms and conditions shall survive, remain in full force and effect and continue to be binding and enforceable. Nothing in these terms and conditions shall exclude Killie Trust's liability for death or personal injury resulting from negligence of Killie Trust.

      Intellectual Property Rights

      All Intellectual Property Rights (including, without limitation, all database rights, rights in designs, rights in know-how, patents and rights in inventions (in all cases whether registered or unregistered and including all rights to apply for registration) and all other intellectual or industrial property rights in any jurisdiction) in any information, content, materials, data or processes contained in or to this Web Site belong to Killie Trust or its licensed source. All rights of Killie Trust in such Intellectual Property Rights are hereby reserved.

      Jurisdiction and Law

      Killie Trust makes no representation that any product or service referred to on or through the Web Site is appropriate for use, or available in other locations. The information and other materials contained in this Web Site may not satisfy the laws of any other country and those who choose to access this Site from other locations are responsible for compliance with local laws if and to the extent local laws are applicable.

      These Terms and Conditions and any terms and conditions relating to products or services described in this Web Site shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the law of Scotland. Disputes arising in relation to the same shall, unless otherwise expressly agreed, be subject to the exclusive jurisdiction of the courts of Scotland.

      Links to other Web Sites

      Certain (hypertext) links, advertisements or suppliers promotion will lead you to Web Sites that are not under the control of Killie Trust. When you activate any of these links, you will leave Killie Trust Web Site by opening a new window and we have no control over and will accept no responsibility or liability in respect of the material on any such other Web Site. By allowing links with third party Web Sites Killie Trust does not intend to solicit business or offer any security to any person in any country, directly or indirectly.

      Force Majeure

      Every effort will be made to carry out the contract but its due performance is subject to cancellation by Killie Trust or to such variation as we may find necessary as a result of inability to secure labour, materials or supplies or as a result of any act of God, War, Strike, Lockout or other labour dispute, Fire, Flood, Drought, Legislation, or other cause (whether of the foregoing class or not) beyond the sellers control.

      Killie Trust

      Website Accessibility

      We have tried to make this website as accessible as possible and easy to use for everyone, regardless of circumstance or ability.

      All our page templates comply with the WCAG Priority 2 checkpoints as a minimum requirement. And we make every effort to ensure that all the content on our site meets this standard too. We are making every effort to ensure that we don't exclude any users. For example:

      • We try to use clear and simple language.
      • We use alternative text for all our images 
      • Were possible the HTML we produce conforms to the standard: XHTML 1.0 Strict
      • We have tested the colours we use in the design for contrast.

      We try to publish all our text content as accessible HTML rather than in other formats such as PDF. Where we do publish PDFs or other formats our policy is to make them as accessible as we can.

      The Killie Trust is a trading name of The Kilmarnock Supporters Society Limited. The Kilmarnock Supporters Society Limited is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority. The Kilmarnock Supporters Society Limited is entered on the Financial Conduct Authority Register under reference SP2620RS;
      Registration address C/o Duncan Maclean & Co, 81 John Finnie Street, Kilmarnock, KA1 8BG