Live Chat With DM

Welcome to 2005 with B&H! Here is the second transcript of the recent live internet chat on killiefc.com. This time it is General Manager Davie Mackinnon (no, not Danger Mouse!) who was grilled by a host of fans on varying subjects, and even better it meant more time in the pub, sorry, more time with our families for us at Crimbo…

I thought we were trying to attract people to the football, why did the police stop ticket sales at 1pm before the recent match against Rangers?
The match commander on the day has the ultimate decision on ticket sales. The club would obviously like to sell tickets right up until kick off, but realise that safety may be compromised.

When does the current strip deal with TFG end? The sooner the better as far as I am concerned, as current strip is extremely poor.
The TFG contract is in place until 2007 - what we are considering is having a fans forum, possibly through the Supporters Association to meet with TFG to discuss any issues.

In what ways are Killie being marketed to both the media and general public in Ayrshire that will attract higher attendances, and more revenue to the club?
I believe the way to market the club should be via schools and the community. When I arrived the community coach role had gone and I was able to resurrect it with Paul McDonald. He has done tremendous work in East Ayrshire in particular and we have also managed to get the players back into the community. Our recent free coaching offer was taken up in 16 towns and each one had at least two players visit. We regularly, on the media side, send out press releases and photographs, sometimes with success.

Can the fans contribute to the money required for the training pitches at Troon?
It is the early days of negotiations to get the site and once we do there will be a huge amount of work to bring to the correct standard. It would be great if fans contribute financially but we would also benefit by manual support once the project gets off the ground.

Are the bank satisfied with our current financial arrangements and when do the bank carry out their next review of the overdraft limit?
I speak to the bank sometimes on a daily basis and they are very supportive. At the moment we are going through a tight bank limit but this has been forecasted by myself and agreed by the bank as the cash contribution from both the hotel and the Sports bar over December will be very helpful. It is a long job to get things back in line as the interest payments at present are high but our strategy of developing non football revenue is the correct one as TV money and gate receipts at present don't cover football expenses. No formal bank revue is planned, but we are in no doubt that the current overdraft limit cannot be exceeded.

Are we going to bring back Kids for a Quid next year?
It may be something that is considered but for the moment we have a strategy of re-establishing ourselves in the community by encouraging free visits from schools and clubs. Baz and Hippo have helped bring a few thousand free kids to various games and the club have been able to bring an equal amount through Ayrshire Schools. Today for example I visited Gargieston Primary with Paul McDonald and expect their 300 pupils to come as our guests to the game against Dunfermline.

With the new Sports Bar up and running, how are finances expected to pick up in the next year? Are Killie a team in danger of administration?
Administration is a word that has never been used at this club. Unlike other clubs, who seem to be going into administration as a soft option. It can’t happen here, as it would mean losing profitability.

Regarding training facilities, was there not a possibility of working with Irvine Sports Club as they already have reasonable facilities?
We do at present have an arrangement with Irvine for two days training a week and Jim and Billy balance these facilities with Auchencruive and Glasgow Science Park.

What is the position with McLelland’s Cheese our sponsor as I see they have been sold to some French company for a huge amount of money?
I met with the new managing director on Sunday and he has confirmed our two year contract remains in place. In fact he has indicated that he may want to extend the deal!

How difficult is it dealing with the press what with their bias towards all things old firm? Does it influence potential advertisers, investors etc seeing a team's name in print or not?
Dealing with the press hacks me off sometimes, especially when we present them with great stories and see the sports editors cut them to six lines! I speak to around half a dozen press guys every day and to be honest they only get excited if a story has an old firm angle. They tell me that the old firm sells papers, but I for one am bored of reading about insignificant crap.

Is there any likely hood that the club shop in the town centre will be there for long into the new year?
It was a commercial decision to have a Xmas shop and it has been very successful. I'd like to develop shops in North and South Ayrshire as well as Kilmarnock but we will thoroughly evaluate the situation before committing to anything.

Concerning the New Year fixture fiasco where we have to travel miles and miles to the frozen north, what was the SPL's response to your complaint?
Having shouted about it, I am now on a fixtures committee. Twelve team leagues make it very difficult to schedule acceptable fixtures but I have managed to ensure that New Year fixtures take priority. We are also looking at a new league structure which would ensure meaningful fixtures to the last kick of the season. Fingers crossed!

What are your views on the Killie Trust? Does the club plan to work closely with the trust in order to achieve both sets of organisations' aims?
The board are 100% behind the trust and the chairman has donated 10,000 shares to get things going. I know it is their intention to have a strong trust with a seat and input in the running of the club. Hopefully the Trust will become strong enough to grasp that opportunity.

Any chance of a highland tour pre-season?
Every pre-season tour must at least pay for itself so if you can get it set up then feel free to e-mail me at dmackinnon@kilmarnockfc.co.uk to make arrangements. Is 10% ok?

Do you think that if we made more of each game, like more of a build-up and an event of some sort before game like a band or specialist act it may encourage more people to come and support the team?
We have a very small working staff at Rugby Park and quite honestly we would take any help in organising anything appropriate. Maybe something that the Trust could get involved in.

Is the club going to have to pay back the money that Jim Moffat (right) has put into the club recently (namely £100,000) and if so, when?
Of course the club will pay the money back. Jamie has been very supportive during tight times but he can’t be expected to continually bail out the club indefinitely.

Is anything happening with the Chairman and board situation? It seems to have been dragging on for too long and no one seems to be pushing the club forward.
Not being a board member, I do not have first hand information, but I understand Jamie Moffat is still talking to potential investors.

Have Killie ever considered lowering Rugby Park's capacity to say around 15,000 by removing seats from both end stands and replacing them with executive boxes?
No consideration has been made but I believe the SPL should look at introducing standing areas as atmosphere would improve. I hope that we can propose a trial over the next year.

Do you not feel the sale of club merchandise and strips in particular should be available in mainstream sports shops, to give the club more exposure and perhaps pick up the odd floating fan that likes the goods?
We have approached several mainstream shops to stock Killie merchandise but the reality is that the market just is not there. For example, Asda recently stocked strips but have been unable to sell enough to make it worth their while. As I said previously, the best plan is to open more retail outlets under the Killie brand in Ayrshire.

Does the club realistically think it can pay back £12m of debt, or are we going to be paying off the interest forever and just plummeting further into debt?
It is a huge task but I believe the way we are tackling it through more off-the-field income is the correct one. Do I hear £10m for Kris Boyd anyone?

At the time did you realise the importance of your penalty against Cowdenbeath?
Well put it this way, if I'd missed who knows what would have happened. One thing is clear, I wouldn’t be General Manager now! Thanks for taking the time to pose the questions and a big thanks to Baz and Hippo for giving us this opportunity to communicate with the fans. Have a great Xmas and a superb New Year…come on the Killie…Davie.

Jim Jefferies On-Line Chat Interview HERE

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