Season Diary for 2024-25...

June 2024

Killie go into the close-season with the following players under contract;  Aidan Glavin, Ethan Brown, Ethan Mersey, Ben Brannan, Lewis Mayo, Joe Wright, Robbie Deas, Liam Donnelly, Rory McKenzie, David Watson, Brad Lyons, Kyle Magennis, Danny Armstrong, Fraser Murray, Matty Kennedy, Kian Leslie, Aaron Brown, Kyle Vassell, & Bobby Wales. 

Prior to the start of June both Innes Cameron & Gary MacKay-Steven  pen new one year contract's which will run thru May 2025. Bruce Anderson is brought in on a 2 year deal from Livingston.  Liam Polworth was next to re-sign (on a new two-year contract to stay with the club thru May 2026). Stuart Findlay then gets a new one year loan from Oxford Utd to re-join Killie for a fifth time.

On June 6th Killie unveiled their new 2024-25 kit (pictured right). 

Killie then get the green light to start work on their new training facility. The centre will be named 'The Bowie Park Training Facility', with the highly successful Ayrshire businessman, Billy Bowie - majority shareholder of Killie - funding it.

On June 20th Killie are drawn against Belgian side Cercle Bruges in the Europa League second qualifying round. The first leg will be played at Rugby Park on 25 July before visiting Belgium a week later.

Goalkeeper Kieran O'Hara is re-signed on a one-year contract, and youngster Zander Craik  signs a two-year extension at Rugby Park.

It would be Killie that would have to travel to Parkhead for "Flag Day" before hosting St Johnstone the following week once the 2024-25 Premiership fixtures were released, 

Will Dennis sends out his Killie fond farewells via social media.

Killie played Club Cerro Porteno behind closed doors in Marabella, Spain on June 29th. and fell 0-2 (an OG and a penalty).  However the good news was that  Marley Watkins, had signed a new 2 year deal to return to Killie. 

Killie have reported nothing new on the potential re-signing of Greg Stewart or Corrie Ndaba or the extending of Danny Armstrong's contract. 

July 2024

Killie Host Cerle Brugges at a Sold-Out Rugby Park in the Europa League.

A&L Mechanical Installations Ltd were signed up as the club’s new shorts sponsor for the next two seasons.

Killie return from Marbella in Spain and would play five friendlies before hosting Cercle Brugges (which would be screened live by BBC Scotland)....

• Killie 5-0 The New Saints. (Anderson (3), Cameron & Lyons).
• Queens Park 1-3 Killie (Murray, Vassel & Wright).
• Ayr Utd 3-2 Killie ( Lyons & Deas).
• Auchinleck T 0-4 Killie (E Brown, Lyons, Anderson, & Wales)
• Killie 5-0 Barrow, (Armstrong (2 Pens), Watkins, OG, Murray).
  
  On July 10th Killie sign goalkeeper Robby McCrorie from Rangers for an undisclosed fee to a two year contract. Robby make his debut at Somerset giving up "a howler" for their opener.  Then on July 30th Killie confirm the re-signing of Corrie Ndaba to a three year contract for an undisclosed fee to Ipswich Town.
  
  The Killie faithful would sell-out (both home & away) all of their available tickets for Europa League clash with Cercle Brugges
   
  The Connah’s Quay disaster may have only been five years ago, but with the good feeling around Rugby Park, it feels much longer. There have been downs and ups since then, and the Ayrshire team are still riding the wave of their latest ascent up the table.

So to to the home leg of the July 25th Europa League Qualifying round tie, The confidence gained from last season’s overachieving did not appear to have evaporated over the summer and Killie didn’t look out of place against one of Belgium’s best teams.

Killie almost made the perfect start in torrential rain when Danny Armstrong was seemingly felled in the box. Referee Martin Dohal pointed to the spot, but the ball had gone out of play earlier in the move and the heart rates slowly returned to normal.

The intensity, perhaps helped by the slick surface, lasted most of the first half but failed to produce many big chances for Kilmarnock.

Cercle had a couple though. They were a threat on the counter and Robby McCrorie - making his competitive Kilmarnock debut - had to make two good saves to deny them.

First, Abdoul Kader Ouattara got onto a Thibo Somers flick on to nod at goal from close range, with McCrorie showing good reflexes to turn behind.

Then, the Killie stopper flapped at a corner which Jesper Daland fired back at goal, with the ball glancing off McCrorie’s face before going over the bar.

The Belgians made a strong start after the interval and that enterprise was rewarded when Olaigbe took a delightful touch just inside the box to work a shooting chance, before curling into the top corner.

Killie thought they had found an instant reply when Stuart Findlay powered home a header, but Matty Kennedy’s corner kick had drifted out of play,

Vassell connected with a Liam Polworth cross and watched on agonisingly as his looping effort grazed the post and went wide.

But Killie levelled when Kyle Vassell’s flicked header cannoned off David Watson and into the top corner. Big Kyle was subsequently voted Killie's "Man of the Match".

In the final 15 minutes, it seemed like only one team would win as Killie threatened to create history. If they had found a winner, it would have been deserved.

Killie finished on top with a flourish with substitute Fraser Murray in the thick of things, drawing a good save from Warleson and rippling the top of the net with a free-kick.

For the record McCrorie & Anderson made their competitive match Killie debuts. 

It meant everything is to play for in the second leg, to be played at the Jan Breeder Stadium on Aug 1st 2024. 

On July 30th Killie confirm the re-signing of Corrie Ndaba to a three year contract for an undisclosed fee to Ipswich Town.  Corrie however was carrying an injury and would not play until the end of Sept. Additionally, Killie were drawn away to Motherwell in the League Cup round of 32. 

August 2024

Killie Knock-Out Tromsø IL of Norway in the UEFA Conference League 

Cercle Brugges would beat Killie 1-0 (and 2-1 on aggregate) at the Jan Breeder Stadium on Aug 1st 2024. with over 3,000 killie fans in Belgium. Killie would now host Tromsø IL of Norway in the UEFA Conference League the following Thursday Aug 8th at Rugby Park. 

Before the European exertions Killie would have to travel to Celtic Park where they lost 4-0 on their "Flag Day" as the Premiership got up and running for season 2024-25. The score somewhat flattered Celtic with their 3rd goal being a wicked deflection off Mayo and their 4th was deep into stoppage time. Killie had signed on loan 19 year old defender Ollie Bainbridge from Sunderland who made his Killie debut at Celtic Park. 

It would be Bobby Wales' (right) first Killie goal in added time that would set up a winner takes all second leg with Tromso in the Conference League third qualifying round after the first leg finished all square at 2-2. 

Killie had led after just six minutes through captain Kyle Vassell, but Tromso turned the scoreline on its head thanks to goals from Jakob Napoleon Romsaas and Lasse Nordas.

Both of the goals were very poor from a Killie defensive point of view.

Prior to Wales' dramatic leveller, Kilmarnock had been awarded a penalty when Joe Wright was clattered by goalkeeper Jakob Haugaard but referee Menelaos Antoniou overturned his decision following a VAR intervention.

It was up to Wales to save the day in the 92nd minute, sweeping home a loose ball from a corner to send Rugby Park into raptures.

It would then be an Adama Sidibeh double that helped St Johnstone coast past 10-man Kilmarnock at Rugby Park to pick up their first win of the new Premiership season.  Joe Wright was red carded after two yellows in the opening 16 minutes. It got worse for Killie in the second half when they were denied a penalty before conceding one two minutes later, with Benjamin Kimpioka converting.

Kilmarnock would advance into the Conference League play-off round as they superbly edged out Tromso in Norway after Sunday's "red-Card" man Joe Wright found the net  with a first-half deflected header from an Armstrong corner. Big Joe's 11th-minute goal proved decisive to send the Scottish side through 0-1 on the night (and 2-3 on aggregate). .

The 300-strong travelling Killie support watched on as a robust defensive display ensured their side a spot in the final qualifying round where Killie would face FC Copenhagen, (who had just beaten Czech side Banik Ostrava on penalties). 

Del Said About Tromso: ..."They thought they had one foot in the next round, I felt that last week. I thought there was an overconfidence, we spoke about that."

Killie wore their new third kit (for the first time) for in this never to be forgotten away victory in Europe!

Prior to the FC Copenhagen away first leg it would be Motherwell who sneaked by ten-man Kilmarnock 1-0 (AET) to reach the last eight of the Premier Sports Cup. Killie battled for much of the second half and then extra-time with ten after Stuart Findlay's second yellow card after 51 min's. O'Hara would make his first start in goal at Fir Park.

Killie's hope of European progress suffered two late blows in Copenhagen in the first leg of their Conference League play-off tie.

The Ayrshire side produced a spirited performance before David Watson was deemed - after a VAR intervention - to have fouled former Celtic winger Mohamed Elyounoussi in the 75th minute. (right). 

Kevin Diks tucked the spot kick away, before Rasmus Falk scored with the final kick of the game in stoppage time to punish the battling visitors.

Jack Burroughs would make his Killie debut in Denmark at right back after being brought in on a season-long loan from Coventry City.

Sandwiched in between the Copenhagen tie's was a Sunday trip to Pittodrie  Down an early goal Killie were within nine minutes of the break, where Killie looked to have responded to a likely Derek McInnes ear-bashing at half-time, but their hopes of a comeback were dented again by the dismissal of captain Brad Lyons for the midfielder's dangerous tackle on Sokler. Killie's chances were all but ended when Gueye rose again to flick in a Jamie McGrath header 11 minutes later, as the Dons ran out worthy 2-0 winners. Corrie Ndaba was used as a late sub, for his first appearance of the season. 

O'Hara continued in the Killie goal as McCrorie  remained on the side-line (sub's bench actually) with a minor hip injury. A real sickner for Robbie as he had just been "called-up" by Steve Clarke for the upcoming European Nations League Scotland matches. 

The Dons match was the third straight domestic match that Killie ended the game with only 10 men!

Bobby Wales joins David Watson in being called-up for the Scotland U-21's. 

Killie's attempt to upset Copenhagen fell just short as the Danes snatched a draw at Rugby Park to end the Ayrshire side's European journey.

Marley Watkins first-half strike put buoyant Kilmarnock just one goal behind on aggregate, but Killie were unable to capitalise on any dominance and soon saw their dreams dashed in the second half by a Lewis Mayo own goal.

Although the hosts played well for large spells, they relied on two wondrous saves from Kevin O'Hara to keep them ahead in the first half which also saw Denis Vavra hit the post from distance.

The majority of the 8,000+ Killie fans sang their hearts out from the 85th min onward in appreciated of the teams European efforts.

Del Said on Killie's Euro Exit:  "I’m extremely proud of this group. I think we were six games in Europe with unbeaten at home against three-seeded teams. We've lost two games away from home against Copenhagen and Bruges. We've actually acquitted ourselves well"

Killie have no (in or out's) last minute transfer window deadline deals to close out August. 

McInnes tell the press that everyone at the club "Is flat out" at the moment and says that the International break can't come soon enough. Del was really hoping that Killie could pick up a "positive result"  (against Hibs on Sept 1st) going into the break

September 2024

Bruce Nets His First Killie Goal To Salvage a Home Points Vs Hibs

After a brutal month of August where Killie played 9 fixtures and also travelled to Belgium, Norway & Denmark, Killie would only play 3 fixtures in September. This was due to being knocked-out of the League Cup an an International break.

 On Sunday Sept 1st on the advent of the much-needed International break, it would be Bruce Anderson who converted for the hosts from the penalty spot deep into added on time, after being fouled by Jordan Obita to earn Killie their first point of the season and cancel out Joe Newell’s freak opener for Hibs with the match ending at 1-1.  Also of note was Corey Ndaba making his first start of the season.

Del said in his Hibs Post-Match: “So when you come from 1-0 down with so few minutes left, it feels like a good point."

Killie Celebrate their Come-Back Point in Paisley.

On Sept 14th the Buddies would host Killie, where Joe Wright got his marching orders just before half-time after the VAR cameras caught him striking St Mirren defender Shaun Rooney in the midriff at a corner kick.

The red card was Killie's fourth in five Premiership outings. However, Ayrshire's Finest  managed to earn a share of the points after Jonah Ayunga's second-half own goal, to make the final score 2-2. 

Toyosi Olusanya's header had put St Mirren in front after seven minutes, but Marley Watkins responded quickly.

The hosts went ahead again from the spot when Joe Wright was punished for a handball and captain Mark O’Hara tucked away the soft VAR awarded penalty.

St Mirren could count themselves lucky to retain their full compliment since Rooney and Mikael Mandron both risked red cards.

In the final throes, James Scott tapped in what he thought was a stoppage-time winner for the Paisley side, but the effort was ruled out for a high boot on David Watson on the goal-line.

Del said "The moment of madness from Joe Wright is unacceptable, He'll be fined two weeks wages for his actions. If the referee has deemed that as a punch, it is ill-discipline. If the referee has seen what I think I saw, it is enough for a red card." Wright was subsequently suspended for the next 3 matches.

The Buddies (A) point was enough to lift Killie off the bottom of the table into 11th, while bottom of the League Hearts who go on to fire Steven Naismith.

The Prestwick Pirlo Scores a Stunner Against the Arabs

To close-out Sept Killie would host the Arabs in a match that would end 3-3. A draw seemed unlikely after Killie substitute David Watson's stunning intervention seemed to have turned the match on its head.

Watson, who came on at half-time, cancelled out Louis Moult's opener just after the break with a quite outrageous finish, executing an outstanding overhead kick from a deep Armstrong cross. Not long after, he raced into the penalty area unchallenged to poke home Matty Kennedy's shot to cap his own immediate impact.

Robbie Deas hit the woodwork twice for Kilmarnock, before and after Watson's second, with the latter attempt falling perfectly for Marley Watkins to nod in the hosts' third.

United had edged the opening half and it was an excellent move that brought the opener by Will Ferry.
The turnaround was incredible after the break as Killie overwhelmed United, however it all turned again, though, when Craig Sibbald pulled one back from distance with a thunderous shot. It was initially disallowed by referee Craig Napier for a foul in the box in the build-up, but then overturned after VAR intervened.

United capitalised on that lifeline very late on in stunning fashion as they threw everything at Killie.  Stephenson went down very easily under Fraser Murray's "challenge" and, after another dubious VAR check, Graham converted the resultant penalty to deny Derek McInnes side. Replays show Murray had played the ball before any contact with Stephenson. 

Killie Manager Derek McInnes revealed Stuart Findlay will undergo tests after suffering a torn calf muscle, which would put Big Stu on the sidelines for a number of months. 

Killie finish the month in 11th position in the Premiership with 3 points from 6 matches. Of note however is that Killie have won three points from losing positions (all in their last 3 Sept matches)  in the Premiership this season, no team has recovered more.

October 2024

Matty & Brucie Celebrate A Dramatic Late Dens Park Comeback!

Entering October 11th place Killie would have 3 away matches, and a home fixture against Rangers, so a daunting task lay ahead of them!

In October's first game little did we know there was still more to come from Killie at Dens Park, given three of the four meetings between Killie & Dundee finished 2-2 last season, it felt almost predictable when Killie grabbed their 88th-minute equaliser, via sub Anderson. However Matty Kennedy' (his second of the match) finish from a sublime Bobby Wales assist gave Killie a remarkable 3-2 first league win of the season.  

Killie's remarkable late rescue act at Dens Park was the first time Killie have come from two goals down to win a league game away from home since August 1991.

On that occasion 33 years ago Killie defeated Meadowbank Thistle 3-2 thanks to a Bobby Williamson double and Ally Mitchell goal.

Marley Nets the Rangers (H) Winner!

It would then be a Marley Watkins late strike at Rugby Park that would earn Killie a deserved Scottish Premiership victory over a low-key Rangers. The forward was too strong for John Souttar as they challenged for a dropping ball in the penalty area and his shot took a slight deflection off the defender on the way past Jack Butland. The 87th-minute strike earned Killie their first home win of the season and moved them up to seventh place in the Premiership.

Right from the off, the visitors appeared unsettled by the gusting winds from Storm Ashley and an aggressive press from Killie. 

Long balls to Kyle Vassell were proving fruitful for the hosts, who really should have taken an early lead. Butland made great recovery save at the feet of Watkins, while Matty Kennedy failed to get a touch in front of goal as Corrie Ndaba delivered a fabulous cross.

Kennedy miscued a couple of chances and Deas (having been previously  fractionally offside with his fine first-half header) .was guilty of a fresh-air swipe, but Killie were rewarded for their determination and endeavour when Watkins made the late breakthrough.

The 87th-minute strike earned Kilmarnock their first home win of the season and moved them up to seventh place in the Premiership.

Derek McInnes said after the match: “There were no real scares. I felt quite comfortable throughout the game.”

Corey's Efforts Not Enough at Dingwall

Killie then threw away a wonderful chance of earning a third win on the trot (away to Ross Co) after once again shooting themselves on the foot. Liam Donnelly was sent off after 60 minutes with Killie 1-0 up (a cracking Ndaba shot) and looking comfortable in the Highlands. However, the red card - of which there can be no complaints over - turned the tide in favour of Ross County, who managed to snatch all three points.

Killie probably didn’t deserve to lose on the balance of the play. Had they kept 11 men on the park it could’ve likely been a different story.

This was Killie's FIFTH red card in the Premiership for the season after only 9 games. Del would tell the press the following week that fines had been introduced at training to improve the discipline of the players on the park. 

Vass Smashes Home the Tynecastle Winner

To close out October Killie would come from behind at Tynecastle to hand new Hearts head coach Neil Critchley his first defeat. The hosts dominated the ball and looked well worth their lead when Alan Forrest struck near the end of the first-half.

But in a five minute spell, Killie made the most of poor Hearts' defending to hit twice - first through Matty Kennedy and then through Kyle Vassell. With the win Killie moved into the Top 6 for the first time this season. 

Killie finish the month with 12 points from 10 Premiership matches and were in 6th place.