Following the welcome development of Managing Director Phyllis McLeish issuing a report on activities at the Club, my last update was a reflection on the 5 years I have represented the Trust on the KFC Board, and a call for members to consider applying to be the next Trust Board Director.
So, this time round I thought it would be useful to summarise some key points and update on various aspects from across the Club.
Football Matters
First of all, on the football side, we have seen a strong start to the league, with 4 points out of the 6 in what we knew were going to be tough fixtures, plus a victory in a tough Cup tie which sees us through to the quarter finals.
As has been said on several occasions, the Board and management team were very well aware of the need to rebuild the squad in the summer of this year. The first target when Derek came in was to secure promotion, which was achieved. The next aim was to secure our place in the top league, which was achieved - albeit there were some scary moments at times and some experiences I would not want to repeat - and our semi final at Hampden. Maybe we can feel justice was done for losing that one with our win last Sunday.
Rebuilding the squad has meant saying our farewells to many of the players who contributed to the promotion year and keeping us up last season. A significant number of new signings have come in, with a better balance of signed players and loanees, along with younger players moving from development to first team squad and making their mark.
At the Club AGM, the Manager did say that having Russ Richardson already working on the summer recruitment would be one of our most important roles, and that has been borne out by the quality of players brought in. The period approaching the closure of the transfer window (which in media terms always slams shut rather than closing quietly!) can be frustrating as fans wait for any late deals to be done. At this point, the manager is still keen to bring in another player, but it was undoubtedly the correct approach to do the bulk of business early, allowing the players to gel.
With Tony Docherty having departed to pastures new, the Manager has also refreshed and refocussed his backroom team with Alan Archibald coming in and different roles for Chris Burke and Craig Clark. Having attended not only the first team matches but also the ‘B’ team (who were very unlucky to lose 9-8 in a penalty shoot-out in the SPFL Trust Trophy match) and the under 18s (who have moved back up to Club Academy Scotland Elite status), it has been clear that the backroom team are also very much working together across the various squads, with a more coherent identity running through them all.
I know that the development of young players is close to the hearts of Trust members and it was good to see Bobby Wales and David Watson included in the Scotland under 19 squad.
The Trust is currently working with the Club to identify a suitable date for an ‘On Board in Person’ event with the Manager, where he can outline more on his approach and aspirations.
There have also been a number of changes to the Women’s first team squad, with a number of young players moving up from the Academy, as well as additional signings and we wish them well for the season ahead.
East Ayrshire Council Planning Dept has asked for a further consultation to be undertaken regarding the Training Ground proposal and that will be undertaken. Update HERE
Commercial Summary
- Season tickets are still sitting just below the 5000 mark but we remain hopeful that the strong start will encourage some further take up where we can hopefully eclipse last year’s record breaking target.
- Following some issues being raised about difficulties for fans buying Cup match tickets where there are several family members at one email address, I raised this with the Club so that we can ask TicketCo for a solution which saves fans having to phone or visit the ticket office
- I have picked up on issues fans faced with ticket office opening /closing times ahead of the recent cup match, so that we can improve the experience going forward
- The new strips were very well received and continue to sell well after the initial launch. The away strip, with the unique design based on the chemical construct of penicillin to mark the connection with Sir Alexander Fleming, has attracted attention not only in football circles, but also across the globe in scientific cand education communities – leaving a challenge of what to do next time!
- The leisure wear range has been refreshed and the Killie Ltd items are selling particularly well following its 10th re-stock since the ranges creation.
- Robert Dykes has joined the Commercial team, and will be working to attract new partners and advertisers to build on the established band of sponsors and partners alongside Club Ambassador, Raymond Montgomerie
- Player shirt sponsorships for both men’s (HERE) and women’s (HERE) first team squads are now available!
- Hospitality has also been selling well with most of our opening matches selling out
- Our new front of shirt sponsor James Frew has been joined by sleeve sponsor Red Rock Automation, bottom back of shirt sponsor Blackwood Plant Hire and shorts sponsor Bartercard
- The Club has added Ayrshire Cancer Support as a charity partner
- Last but definitely not least, the Killie Trust Logo will now be appearing on both boys and girls academy strips as well as women’s first team playing kits.
Media and communications
- The media team (Andy Fitzsimmons and Scott Symington) have continued to improve content with ‘behind the scenes’ stories as well as match day content (and occasionally starring in it!), tailoring to the various social media platforms all of which require regular “feeding”!
- As well as men’s first team output, the team have provided updates on the women’s and under 18s matches and will be working with some volunteers on this
- John Barnes is continuing to cover Killie TV with co commentary from former players
- An update on accessing Killie TV was provided by the team, using this primarily for match days, with other content being on freely available. Info HERE
- As well as general pre-season coverage, Sky Sports, West FM and other media outlets featured the Killie Trust’s Cycle Shelter project, funded by Cycling Scotland. This also gave me the opportunity to talk through other aspects of Trust work and funding
- Phyllis McLeish has given an interview to the Times, and I gave an interview to the Herald, both articles being picked up in other media
Killie Community
- The recent Killie Community AGM saw the addition of Gillian Grant from Police Scotland and Linda McAuley Griffiths, Education Director at East Ayrshire Council to the Board of Trustees which will assist the charity to develop new partnerships with public sector organisations
- Ann Clark, Yvonne Howie and Provost Todd have been appointed as Killie Community Ambassadors
- The first ever Killie Community awards ceremony, hosted by Pat Nevin, was held in the 1869 Suite with volunteers, partners and participants recognised for their support and involvement in the past year. More HERE
- This was followed by an event with Pat Nevin talking about his latest book, and he will also be returning to Killie Community to speak to the Football memories group, organised by Ross Mathie on 4 September
- The Football Memories Group continues to attract members some of whom recently enjoyed a trip to the Hampden Museum
- The Killie Community summer programme during the school holidays attracted over 50 kids each week, with great support from the manager and players
- Thanks to National Lottery funding, staffing has been increased to increase the range and reach of programmes on offer
- The Killie Get Together, which began as a “warm space” in the colder months is now running every Wednesday afternoon in the Champions Lounge, open to all who might enjoy a cup of tea and a chat
More information on programmes run by Killie Community and the staff team is available HERE
Killie Trust Activities
- The Trust’s Board meetings have continued a monthly basis, with a focus on plans for the Trust’s 20th anniversary year and future priorities for investment in the Club. Proposals will be brought to members in the near future.
- Thanks to the generosity of monthly subscribers to our funding capaign, the Trust will now provide the Club with finance to install handrails in the Frank Beattie and East Stands to help fans who are less mobile and infirm. Jim Thomson, Trust Chair has a meeting on Wednesday to get this project underway as soon as possible. Thanks also to members who voted to make this project a reality.
- As mentioned earlier, the cycle shelters were installed thanks to funding from Cycling Scotland - an initiative which came from a suggestion by a Trust member.
- The Trust is currently analysing the responses to the recent survey, and a report will be produced and made available when that is completed.
- Expressions of interest were sought from those who might wish to stand for the position of Trust Club Director and that process is being taken forward by the Trust Board.
- The Junior Trust continues to attract new members and we are hopeful that parents and families will also join up so that they can have a say in all trust matters!
- Jim has attended the first of three Youth Academy parents events to give out leaflets and speak about the Trust and the sponsorship arrangement. Further meetings are scheduled next week. I attended a Girls’ Academy parents’ event and gave information about the Trust and explained how the funds were raised to allow the Trust to support the Academy and women’s team. Hopefully we will see some new members joining from this also!
- The Trust continues to support Foodbank collection at home matches which is very much appreciated by Ayrshire East Foodbank
- There will be an online Forum for Trust members on 20th September at 7pm to give an opportunity to ask any questions and discuss current and future activities
- Thanks to everyone who has contributed to the Trust's 'Growing our Club's Future' campaign. It is continuing to raise money which will allow under 16's to attend matches who otherwise might not have been able to, with tickets being distributed through schools. Will it get our season ticket numbers over the 5,000 threshold? Watch this space!
For further information on the Trust or any of our activites, please contact us via email at [email protected] or visit the website - thekillietrust.com.
Contacts:
I meet regularly with SLO Allen Kyle to hear of issues which need to be raised within the Club. Allen deals with and resolves many day-to-day issues for supporters, as well as liaising with opposing team SLOs to ensure smooth arrangements and positive experiences wherever possible.
Allen ‘s full contact details are on Club website as are contact details for Peter Orr, Chair of KFC Disabled Supporters Association. SLO info HERE
Child Protection and Wellbeing Officer Peter Irons and I also meet regularly to pick up on any safeguarding issues. His full contact details are also on the Club website. Further information HERE.
The quickest way to get in touch with me is by emailing directly!
Email: [email protected]
Twitter/ X: @cathyjamieson
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