Kilmarnock F.C.

Kilmarnock Football Club, commonly known asKillie, is a Scottish professionalfootballteam based in the town ofKilmarnock,East Ayrshire. The team is currently managed byDerek McInnes, who was appointed in January 2022. The club has achieved several honours since its formation in 1869,most recently the2011–12 Scottish League Cupafter a1–0 winoverCelticatHampden Parkand theScottish Championshiptitle in 2022. The club nickname,Killie, is the Scottish term for the town of Kilmarnock.
The club have qualified for European competitions on nine occasions, their best performance coming in the1966–67 Fairs Cupwhen they progressed to the semi-finals, eventually being eliminated byLeeds United. The club is also one of only a few Scottish clubs to have played in three European competitions (European Cup,Cup Winners' Cupand theUEFA Cup).Additionally, the club have played in theInternational Soccer Leaguefour times –1960,1961,1963and1965, as well as competing in the1995 Korea Cup.Their most recent appearance in European competition football was during the2024–25 UEFA Europa Leagueand2024–25 UEFA Conference League.
Kilmarnock Football Club is currently the oldest football club in theScottish Premiership, and also the second-oldest professional club in Scotland.Home matches are played atRugby Park, a 15,003 capacityall-seater stadiumsituated in the town itself. Kilmarnock took part in the first-ever official match in theScottish Cupagainst the now-defunctRentonin 1873. With a long-standing football rivalry with fellowAyrshiresideAyr United, both teams play frequently in theAyrshire derby, first meeting in September 1910.
The club's foundation dates back to the very earliest days of organised football in Scotland, with speculation over the club's beginnings being in 1868, 1869 or 1872 often disputed.The club was founded by a collection of men and boys who were sporting enthusiasts, with a few of them playingcricketduring the summer months, as well as playingbowls, quiots,runningandgolf.During the winter period, the group lacked active sporting opportunities, and in the Autumn of 1868, the younger members of the sporting enthusiasts who attendedKilmarnock Academyfirst played football in the Barbadoes Green area of Kilmarnock.Football in Scotland at this time was considered "rough" and "disorderly", and, while it was popular, it had never been played in an organised manner before.The group of sporting enthusiasts later became known as the club's "founding fathers", and began playing football with their own set of rules which were more similar to that ofRugby league, rather than association rules, which had become the rules used for a similar game, also known as football, in England in the late 1850s.A committee was formed with the intention of the game becoming more organised, and after raising money, had placed an advertisement in the 2 January 1869 issue of theKilmarnock Standardfor a general meeting of the "Kilmarnock Foot-ball Club" to be held in Robertson's Temperance Hotel on Portland Road in Kilmarnock on Tuesday 5 January 1869.The advert read: "Parties wishing to become members may do so at the meeting, or at the Secretary's, 55 King Street".No official recorded minutes or outcomes of the meeting are known to have existed.
With no recorded minutes of the meeting having taken place in January 1869, it is assumed that the members continued to play amongst themselves and with their own set of rugby-inspired rules.On 25 October 1872, a meeting was held by the committee at theGeorge Hotel, Kilmarnock. Recorded minutes from the meeting highlighted that interest in the game had increased as had the membership, leading to the decision being made to officially constitute the club as "Kilmarnock Football Club", with a set of rules to play the game of football properly to be purchased, as no other clubs were playing "football" in the same style that the club had been playing up until that point.A meeting held by the committee on 29 October 1872 saw the agreement between the club and a gentleman, Mr. Wright, to rent his field nearby for £3, which they did until March 1873.A game was agreed to be played on the field on 2 November 1872, but no result or opponent to Kilmarnock Football Club were ever recorded.In November 1872, the club decided to formally adopt therugby unionrules they had purchased for use in the game.On 7 December 1872, Kilmarnock Football Club played their first known competitive game using the rugby union rules. The game was an 11-a-side game against Kilmarnock Cricket Club Xl which ended in a 0–0 draw.
During a club meeting on 3 March 1873, a letter fromQueen's Parkasked Kilmarnock F.C. if they were interested in attending a meeting at the Dewar Hotel inGlasgowon 13 March 1873 to discuss the formation of aScottish Football Associationplaying tofootball associationrules, with the possibility of purchasing a cup for the winner of a knock out competition to take place later in 1873.Kilmarnock had long previously turned Queen's Park's requests down in the past, however, a favourable letter was returned to the team, informing the club that Kilmarnock were unable to send a representative to the meeting in Glasgow on 13 March 1873 due to having a committee meeting on the scheduled date, but advised that they were willing to join the Scottish Football Association, pledging to pay the 5 shillings membership fee and donate £1 towards the purchase of a cup for the knock-out competition.The first game played by Kilmarnock under football association rules was in the 1873–74 season.The club suffered a drastic decline in membership numbers following a fall out with their landlord at Holm Quarry, after the club wished to move back to Dundonald Road.Kilmarnock Football Club were one of the founding members of the Ayrshire Football Association which formed in May 1877.By the 1880s, Kilmarnock Football Club had established themselves as the premier club inAyrshire.
The club had not been considered eligible for theScottish Football Leaguewhen it was formed in 1890, nor was it deemed eligible to be included in a second division.Kilmarnock Football Club was finally elected to the Scottish League in 1895, and finished their first season in the Scottish League in fourth place out of ten teams.In1920Kilmarnock won the Scottish Cup for the first time, beatingAlbion RoversatHampden Park.This was followed by their second success in1929where they beat massive favouritesRangers2–0 at the national stadium in front of a crowd of 114,708 people.They soon reached another final against the same opposition in1932but this time were beaten after a replay,and the same outcome followed in the1938 finalagainstEast Fife, Killie this time the team on the receiving end of an upset.
After finishing as runners-up during the1959–60 season, Kilmarnock could have been put forward as one of Scotland's entrants for the following season'sEuropean Fairs Cup.Instead, the Scottish Football Association sent the team toNorth Americato play in theInternational Soccer League, serving as Scotland's representative.Kilmarnock remained unbeaten during their group matches in bothNew YorkandJersey City, with wins overBayern Munichand English league champions,Burnley.Kilmarnock returned to North America to play in the International Soccer League final, losing 2–0 to Brazilian clubBangu Atlético Clube.
During the1960–61 season, Kilmarnock reached theScottish League Cupfinal for the second time, where they lost toRangers2–0 and finished as the season's runners-up.After years of being sidelined by the Scottish Football Association, Kilmarnock were put forward for the 1964–65 European Inter-Cities Fairs Cup, losing their first match.The team made it to the second round, losing toEverton1–4 and exiting the competition.
Kilmarnock performed strong during the1964–65 season, winning their first six matches in the season and remaining unbeaten in the league until December 1964.In1964–65Heart of Midlothianfought out a championship title race withWillie Waddell's Kilmarnock. In the era of two points for a win Hearts were three points clear with two games remaining. Hearts drew withDundee Unitedmeaning the last game of the season with the two title challengers playing each other at Tynecastle would be a league decider. Kilmarnock needed to win by a two-goal margin to take the title. Hearts entered the game as favourites with both a statistical and home advantage.
They also had a solid pedigree of trophy-winning under Tommy Walker. Waddell's Kilmarnock in contrast had been nearly men. Four times in the previous five seasons they had finished league runners-up including Hearts' triumph in 1960. Killie had also lost three domestic cup finals during the same period including the 1962 League Cup Final defeat to Hearts. Hearts had won five of the six senior cup finals they played in under Walker. Even the final they had lost was in a replay after drawing the first game. Hearts'Roald Jensenhit the post after six minutes. Kilmarnock then scored twice throughDavie Sneddonand Brian McIlroy after 27 and 29 minutes.Alan Gordonhad an excellent chance to clinch the title for Hearts in second half injury time but was denied by aBobby Fergusondiving save pushing the ball past the post. The 2–0 defeat meant Hearts lost the title by an average of 0.042 goals.Subsequently, Hearts were instrumental in pushing through a change to use goal difference to separate teams level on points. Ironically this rule change later denied Hearts the title in 1985–86.This is the only time to date Killie have been Scottish champions.
Decline in the 1980s brought relegation to theSecond Division, returning to the top division with promotion in1993. In the summer of 1995, Kilmarnock were invited toSouth Koreato play in theKorea Cup.Kilmarnock played theCosta Rica national football team, finishing the game with a draw between both teams.
By the commencement of the1996–97 season, optimism within the club remained low, with little to suggest that the season would see Kilmarnock win the Scottish Cup again, having previously done so 68 years prior.With inconsistent league results, and a home defeat toRaith Roversin December 1996,Bobby Williamsonbecame the new manager of Kilmarnock and began introducing new players to the team.Players such asDavid BaganandAlex Burkewere credited with improving the team's performance, along with Williamson's managerial style and approach.With relegation still a possibility, Kilmarnock climbed out of the relegation zone following a 1–1 home draw in the final league match of the season betweenAberdeen.During the same period, Kilmarnock had been making good progress in the Scottish Cup, progressing to the1997 Scottish Cup finalwithFalkirkheld atIbrox Stadiumin Glasgow on 24 May 1997.25,000 Kilmarnock fans attended with final, withPaul Wrightscoring for Kilmarnock, allowing for Kilmarnock to claim the Scottish Cup for the third time.Following their Scottish Cup victory, the team travelled back to Kilmarnock from Glasgow on an open topped bus, travelling up the town's John Finnie Street where they were met with a barrage of fans celebrating their victory.
Victory in the Scottish Cup secured a place for Kilmarnock in the1997–98 UEFA Cup Winners' Cup, meaning a return to European football for the club following an absence of 27 years.
In the2001–02 UEFA Cup, Kilmarnock travelled toLurganin Northern Ireland to playGlenavon,winning 1–0 following a goal byChris Innes.In the return leg at Rugby Park, Kilmarnock won 1–0 following a goal fromAlly Mitchell.In their next match, Kilmarnock faced Norwegian clubViking FK, securing a 1–1 draw at Rugby Park before suffering a 0–2 loss away from home and exiting the UEFA Cup.Kilmarnock won theScottish Youth Cupin 2004, following a 1–0 victory over Rangers which was held at Rugby Park due toHampden Parkbeing unavailable to host the final.
Kilmarnock reached the2007 Scottish League Cup final,but suffered a 5–1 defeat in the final byHibernian. After sellingSteven NaismithtoRangersfor a club-record fee in August 2007,Killiestruggled in the2007–08 Scottish Premier League, finishing in 11th place with 40 points. In January 2010, Kilmarnock were second bottom of the2009–10 Scottish Premier League, with last placedFalkirkjust two points behind. On 11 January 2010, Jim Jefferies left the club by "mutual consent" andJimmy Calderwoodwas appointed manager. Kilmarnock then achieved a first win in nine years againstCeltic. Continued poor form, however, meant a final day showdown at Rugby Park with Falkirk for SPL survival. Kilmarnock began the game with a two-point advantage over their rivals and a goalless draw on the day was good enough to secure top-flight football for another year. They ended the season with just 33 points, their worst points finish in the SPL.
After Calderwood left at the end of the season,Mixu Paatelainenwas appointed manager for the next two years with an option for a third.Despite being the favourites for relegation that season, Kilmarnock finished the season in fifth position. Paatelainen left the club to become manager ofFinlandand his assistantKenny Shielswas appointed manager. Kilmarnock progressed to the2012 Scottish League Cup finalwith wins againstQueen of the South,East FifeandAyr Unitedin anAyrshire derbyat Hampden. Kilmarnock won the League Cup for the first time, as they defeated Celtic 1–0 in the final;Dieter Van Tornhoutscored the only goal six minutes from time, with goalkeeperCammy Bellnamed Man of the Match.In June 2013, after three years at Kilmarnock, managerKenny Shielswas sacked by chairman Michael Johnston after a "mutual agreement" between the two.
Allan Johnstonsigned a two-year contract and was appointed manager on 24 June 2013, withSandy Clarkas the assistant manager.Clark left his role in the summer of 2014 with the club looking to go in a new direction, and ex-Killie player and former Hearts managerGary Lockewas appointed as his assistant. Johnston was sacked in February 2015 after informing the press of his intention to leave in the summer, before discussing this with the board. Locke was placed in interim charge, before signing a three-year deal in April 2015.Kilmarnock went on to lose seven of their final eight games of the season, but were spared the play-off spot after a 4–1 win overPartick Thistle.
The 2015–16 season would prove difficult for the team. Locke was removed from his position as manager in February 2016, withLee Clarkbeing appointed as his replacement.Despite a small uplift in form, the team finished in 11th place and faced a relegation play-off against Championship side Falkirk in order to stay in the top flight. Despite losing 0–1 in the first leg,Killiefought back and comfortably won the second leg 4–0 (4–1 on aggregate), securing the club's status in the Scottish Premiership for another season. Clark would leave Kilmarnock for a return to England withBuryin February 2017, exactly a year after his arrival.Former Rangers playerLee McCulloch, assistant to both Locke and Clark, was placed in temporary charge until the end of the season, achieving an eighth-place finish. The following season saw another poor start, with an early defeat to rivalsAyr Unitedin the league cup group stages, followed by a disappointing start to the league campaign. McCulloch was sacked in September 2017 with the club rooted to the bottom of the table.
In an unexpected move, Kilmarnock appointed formerChelseaandWest Bromwich AlbioncoachSteve Clarke. It was Clarke's first involvement with the Scottish game in 30 years and his appointment preempted a dramatic upturn in form, with the club ultimately finishing in fifth place, earning him the SFWA Manager of the Year award in the process.The 2018–19 season saw Kilmarnock celebrate their 150th anniversary, and the team continued their strong form in the league, both home and away, culminating in a final day fixture againstRangersat Rugby Park. Kilmarnock won the match 2–1 and the result secured a third-place finish in the league, which guaranteed European football for the first time since 2001. The season's results also set a new record points total for the club and their highest placed finish in the league since 1966. The following day, Clarke was signed by theScottish Football Associationto become the head coach of theScotland national team.
Following the departure of Steve Clarke, Kilmarnock had three managers whose spell in charge was brief, beginning with formerJuventusand Chelsea assistant coachAngelo Alessio. In Alessio's second match in charge, Kilmarnock lost in Europa League qualification toWelsh Premier LeagueclubConnah's Quay Nomads.Alessio was sacked in December 2019, with the team sitting in fifth place.Following his departure,Alex Dyer, assistant coach to both Alessio and Clarke, was appointed on an initial caretaker basis until the end of the season, before all football was abruptly ended due to theCOVID-19 pandemic. Dyer's services were retained by the club and he signed a new contract extension in June 2020.However, following a poor start to the new season, he left the club by mutual consent in January 2021.In February 2021, formerSt JohnstonemanagerTommy Wrightwas appointed as the club's third manager in two years.
On 24 May 2021, following a play−off defeat toDundee, Kilmarnock were relegated to theScottish Championship, bringing an end to their 28-year stay in the top flight.Their 11th-place finish and play-off defeat in2020–21meant it was the club's first season in the Championship, and their first in the second tier of Scottish football since1992–93. ManagerTommy Wrightmade 14 permanent summer signings as he approached his first full season as Kilmarnock manager, before being sacked in December 2021 with the team sitting fifth place in the Championship. FormerAberdeenmanagerDerek McInneswas quickly appointed as his successor. Results improved, and by the end of the2021–22 season, Kilmarnock were promoted back to the top flight of Scottish football at the first attempt, defeating closest challengersArbroath2–1 on the penultimate matchday with a dramatic last-minute winner fromBlair Alston.
In cup competition during the season, Kilmarnock were eliminated in the fourth round of theScottish Cup, in the second round of theLeague Cupand the semi-finals of theChallenge Cup.
Following their first-place finish in theScottish Championshipin2021–22, Kilmarnock returned to theScottish Premiershipafter spending one year in the second tier. At the conclusion of the season, Kilmarnock finished 10th in the Premiership table out of 12 teams, as well as reaching the quarter finals of theScottish Cupand the semi-final of the2022–23 Scottish League Cup.
Kilmarnock competed in the2023–24 Scottish League Cup, ultimately reaching the quarter final stage. They were knocked out of the competition following a 2–1 defeat toHeart of Midlothian.
After finishing the2023–24 Scottish Premiershipin fourth place, Kilmarnock F.C. secured qualification for theEuropa League second qualifying round. Their first game, against Belgian teamCercle Bruggeat Rugby Park on 25 July 2024, ended in a 1–1 draw withDavid Watsonscoring for Kilmarnock in the 70th minute.On 1 August 2024, Kilmarnock played Cercle Brugge atJan Breydelstadionin Belgium, losing to the hosts 1–0.
Following their exit from the Europa League after losing 2–1 aggregate defeat to Cercle Brugge, the team dropped to the UEFA Conference League. Their first match of the Conference League took place at Rugby Park on 8 August 2024 against Norwegian teamTromsø, which ended 2–2, withKyle VassellandBobby Walesscoring for Kilmarnock in the 6th and 90th minute respectively.On 15 August 2024, Kilmarnock secured aUEFA Conference Leagueplay–off spot following a 1–0 victory in the return leg. On 22 August 2024, Kilmarnock travelled toCopenhagen, losing 2–0.Kilmarnock F.C. exited the Conference League on 29 August 2024, following a 1–1 draw to Copenhagen. Kilmarnock were first to score, with aMarley Watkinsgoal in the 16th minute, followed by anown goalbyLewis Mayoin the 68th minute.
Kilmarnock's biggest rivalry is with their South Ayrshire neighbours,Ayr United, and together they contest theAyrshire derby. Between national competitions such as theScottish Football League,Scottish Cup,Scottish League Cupand theScottish Challenge Cup, Kilmarnock have beaten Ayr United a total of 59 times, whilst beating Ayr United 43 times in defunct competitions such as theAyrshire Cup, Ayrshire League, Ayr Charity Cup, Kilmarnock Charity Cup and the West Sound Trophy.
On 28 January 2012, Ayr United and Kilmarnock met atHampden Parkfor the League Cup semi-final. Kilmarnock won 1–0 thanks to a 109th-minute goal fromDean Shiels.This was the first time that the Ayrshire derby had taken place in the semi-finals of a major competitionand it was also the first derby to be played at a neutral venue. The game also achieved the highest recorded post-World War IIcrowd of any Ayrshire derby with 25,057 people travelling to Hampden (Kilmarnock versus Ayr United on 19 March 1938 had a crowd of 27,442).
The Ayrshire Derby fixture was revived in season 2021–22, as both clubs were in the same division following Kilmarnock's relegation to theScottish Championship.
Since June 1906, Kilmarnock F.C. has been owned by the private limited company, The Kilmarnock Football Club Ltd. Since 2014, the majority shareholder of the club is Ayrshire businessman Billy Bowie, who oversees all operations of the club.Kilmarnock became debt-free under Bowie's control in 2017 after several years of financial difficulty.
In May 2018 Kilmarnock made a landmark move by appointing Phyllis McLeish, commercial director of the QTS Group, to the club's board; in doing so she became the first female board member in over 20 years. Later that same month, the club appointed its second female board member inCathy Jamieson, former MP for theKilmarnock and Loudoun districtand a life-long Killie fan. Her appointment came after being nominated by The Killie Trust Initiative, who raised over £100,000 to have a member of the trust on the board.
The earliest known Kilmarnock kit from 1879 consisted of an all-blue jersey with white trousers. The shirt bore a crest which was described as "a hand, index and second fingers upright, thumb outstretched, other fingers enclosed over a palm" (an adoption of the historicClan Boydchief's heraldic crest). The hand rested on a bar over a ball marked KFC. Between 1887 and 1890 Kilmarnock wore black and white striped tops. Thereafter, the club has predominantly played in blue and white striped or hooped shirts with either blue or white shorts. The club have also occasionally played in plain blue and plain white tops; this was suggested by Ross Quigley who, at the time, was one of the first directors of the club, although the kit was later changed to the hooped style in 1920. The club's away colours have varied greatly over time. Yellow is generally regarded as the club's main third colour; but white, red and purple away kits have also appeared in recent years.
Between 2008 and 2014, the club manufactured their kits under their own sportswear brand, 1869. Following this, Italian company Erreá was the manufacturer. Kilmarnock kits were manufactured by American companyNikebetween 2016 and 2020. The current kit manufacturer is Danish companyHummel; it can only be bought from the store atRugby Park.
The club badge is a modernised version of previous club badges. It features a ball bearing a hand in a blessing position, flanked by two red squirrels. The club's Latin motto,confidemus(we trust), is written above the badge (similar to theClan Boydheraldic motto,confido(I trust)). The club adopted the badge in 1992 afterThe Lord Lyondecreed that the previous badge, based heavily upon the town crest, was in breach of ancient Scottishheraldicrules.
In October 2018 the club unveiled a special badge for the club's 150th anniversary.
The club's mascot is a squirrel named 'Captain Conker', named after the squirrels which feature on the club's crest and the coat of arms of theClan Boydof Kilmarnock. In the past, the 'Killie Pie' mascot was also a regular at Rugby Park on matchdays. Previously, the mascot was Nutz the squirrel, played by long-time Kilmarnock fan Ian Downie who died in 2020. Downie had played the club's mascot for 19 years prior to his death.
Kilmarnock first played football matches at the presentRugby Parksite in 1899. Despite this, the venue is actually Kilmarnock's fourth home ground. The Grange, Holm Quarry and Ward's Park all hosted matches before the club moved to Rugby Park in 1877. This was not the present stadium, but one situated close by near South Hamilton Street. This ground was shared by cricket and rugby teams – sports which Kilmarnock had played previously – and the connection with rugby gave the ground its name. This name was taken with the club when they moved to their present stadium.
During the 1994–95 season the stadium capacity was significantly reduced as three new stands were constructed; the Moffat Stand, the Chadwick Stand and the East Stand. Their completion brought the capacity of the stadium to 15,003.The stadium opened on 6 August 1995, in a friendly match against English championsBlackburn Rovers.Mike Newellhit a hat-trick as the home team lost 5–0.
AFIFA2 starFieldTurfartificial pitchwas installed at Rugby Park for the start of the2014–15season. The pitch is capable of hostingrugbymatches as well as football. A new artificial hybrid surface was installed during the 2019 close season. In February 2019 Kilmarnock received approval to install a new safe-standing section in areas of the East and Moffat stands. The installation process was completed in early December of that year.
In December 2022 Kilmarnock announced that consultation had begun on the plans to develop 'Bowie Park Training Facility'with a view to creating a dedicated club training ground where Kilmarnock's men's, women's and academy teams can develop within the same purpose-built environment. Funded byBilly Bowie, the proposal includes the creation of two five-a-side and two full-size pitches – one with an accompanying 500-seat stand – alongside a two-floor training facility building which features a gym, changing rooms, canteen / seminar room, offices and a players’ lounge.
The song "Paper Roses", originally a hit by American singer and activistAnita Bryant, was adopted by Kilmarnock fans as their own club anthem. American singer and actressMarie Osmond, who is famous for recording this song, surprised the fans in February 2013 and performed at Rugby Park along with a meet and greet session, signing autographs for the players and fans.
Note: Flags indicate national team as defined underFIFA eligibility rules; some limited exceptions apply. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.
Note: Flags indicate national team as defined underFIFA eligibility rules; some limited exceptions apply. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.
Information correct as of matches played 23 December 2023. Only officialScottish League,Scottish Cup,Scottish League CupandEuropean Competitionmatches are counted
Kilmarnock's score is shown first in each case
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