1988–89 Kilmarnock F.C. season

The 1988–89 season was Kilmarnock's 87th in Scottish League Competitions. After a poor run of results, manager Eddie Morrison was sacked in November 1988.[8] Jim Clark initially took over as caretaker[9] before the club hired Jim Fleeting for the rest of the season.[10] Less than two months into the job, he sensationally sacked centre half Kenny Brannigan who was sent off for head butting former teammate Derek Cook three minutes into the league game with Queen of The South.[11] Despite a 6–0 victory in their last game, the club was relegated to the third tier at the end of the season for the first time on a goal difference by just one goal.[12][13]

Kilmarnock
1988–89 season
ChairmanBob Lauchlan[1]
ManagerEddie Morrison until November 1988[2] Jim Fleeting from November 1988[3]
Scottish First Division13th[1][4]
Scottish Cup3R[5][4]
Scottish League Cup3R[6][4]
Top goalscorerLeague: Willie Watters 12[1][4]
All: Willie Watters 13[1][4]
Highest home attendance5,387 (v Ayr United, 27 August)[1][4]
Lowest home attendance1,584 (v Forfar Athletic, 18 March)[1][4]
Average home league attendance2,488[7] (up 642)

Off the field, the club were subject to two takeover bids during the season. In September, Largs businessman Hugh Scott offered £500,000 for a controlling interest in the club.[14] A second bid was launched in January by a consortium led by the manager's brother Bobby Fleeting.[15]

Scottish First Division

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League table

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Pos Team Pld W D L GF GA GD Pts Promotion or relegation
10 Meadowbank Thistle 39 13 10 16 45 50 −5 36
11 Ayr United 39 13 9 17 56 72 −16 35
12 Clyde 39 9 16 14 40 52 −12 34
13 Kilmarnock (R) 39 10 14 15 47 60 −13 34 Relegation to the Second Division
14 Queen of the South (R) 39 2 8 29 38 99 −61 12
Source: RSSSF and statto[16]
Rules for classification: 1) points; 2) goal difference; 3) number of goals scored.
(R) Relegated

Match results

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Match Day Date Opponent H/A Score Kilmarnock Scorer(s) Attendance
1 13 August Queen of the South A 2–2[17] Gilmour(51), McGuire(70) 1,587
2 20 August Partick Thistle H 0–1[18] 2,442
3 27 August Ayr United H 2–0[19] McGuire(39), Marshall(60) 5,387
4 3 September Clydebank A 2–2[20] McGuire(5), Cuthbertson(73) 1,418
5 10 September Airdrieonians A 1–5[21] Cook(70) 2,016
6 17 September Clyde H 1–2[22] McDonald(12) 1,745
7 24 September Dunfermline Athletic A 0–3[23] 5,379
8 1 October Greenock Morton H 3–4[24] Cook(4), Martin(60), McInnes(?) 1,865
9 8 October Forfar Athletic A 2–2[25] McGuire(22), Gilmour(50) 685
10 15 October Meadowbank Thistle A 2–0[26] Montgomerie(81), Cook(89) 1,185
11 22 October Raith Rovers H 1–1[27] Wylde(9) 1,965
12 29 October St Johnstone A 0–2[28] 2,329
13 5 November Falkirk H 0–2[29] 2,561
14 12 November Airdrieonians H 0–3[30] 1,958
15 19 November Clyde A 2–0[31] McFarlane(31,45) 1,028
16 26 November Dunfermline Athletic H 2–2[32] Gilmour(57pen), Brannigan(65) 2,761
17 3 December Partick Thistle A 1–0[33] McFarlane(37) 2,624
18 10 December St Johnstone H 0–3[34] 2,501
19 17 December Raith Rovers A 0–0[35] 1,514
20 24 December Meadowbank Thistle H 1–0[36] Watters(28) 2,391
21 31 December Clydebank H 1–0[37] McLaughlin(5) 2,760
22 3 January Ayr United A 1–4[38] Faulds(46) 8,585
23 7 January Falkirk A 0–2[39] 3,972
24 14 January Queen of the South H 2–1[40] Derek Walker(38), Watters(87) 2,264
25 21 January Forfar Athletic H 2–1[41] Watters(37,74) 1,813
26 18 February Clyde H 0–0[42] 1,953
27 25 February St Johnstone A 2–2[43] Watters(49), Reilly(83) 2,393
28 1 March Greenock Morton A 2–2[44] Watters(75), Harkness(80) 1,807
29 4 March Airdrieonians H 1–1[45] McLaughlin(82) 2,376
30 11 March Ayr United A 1–2[46] Montgomerie(20) 5,476
31 18 March Forfar Athletic H 2–2[47] Harkness(8), Faulds(14) 1,586
32 25 March Dunfermline Athletic A 0–0[48] 5,906
33 1 April Falkirk H 0–0[49] 3,870
34 8 April Meadowbank Thistle A 2–1[50] Harkness(36), Watters(79) 866
35 15 April Raith Rovers H 1–2[51] Harkness(16) 2,218
36 22 April Greenock Morton A 0–3[52] 1,623
37 29 April Partick Thistle H 0–0[53] 2,932
38 6 May Clydebank A 2–3[54] Harkness(1), Stewart(21) 1,811
39 13 May Queen of the South A 6–0[55] Watters(39,47,54,69,87), Reilly(61) 1,570

Scottish League Cup

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Round Date Opponent H/A Score Kilmarnock Scorer(s) Attendance
R2 17 August Forfar Athletic H 1–0[56] Gilmour(55pen) 1,523
R3 23 August Hibernian A 0–1[57] 10,000

Scottish Cup

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Round Date Opponent H/A Score Kilmarnock Scorer(s) Attendance
R3 28 January Queen of the South A 2–2[58] Watters(10), Speirs(90) 2,941
R3R 1 February Queen of the South H 0–1[59] 5,623

See also

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References

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General

Rollin, Jack (1989). Rothmans Football Yearbook 1989–90. Queen Anne Press. ISBN 0-356-17910-9.

Ross, David (2001). Everygame-The New Official History of Kilmarnock Football Club. Kilmarnock Football Club. ISBN 0-9541653-0-6.

Specific

  1. ^ a b c d e f Rollin (1989), pp. 704.
  2. ^ Alex Milligan (11 November 1988). "Jardine Tipped As Manager". Kilmarnock Standard. p. 88. Retrieved 18 August 2023 – via Newspapers.com. 
  3. ^ Alex Milligan (2 December 1988). "I Want That League Flag". Kilmarnock Standard. p. 88. Retrieved 18 August 2023 – via Newspapers.com. 
  4. ^ a b c d e f g Ross (2001), pp. 271.
  5. ^ Rollin (1989), pp. 747–48.
  6. ^ Rollin (1989), pp. 741.
  7. ^ "Average Home League Game Attendances". www.fitbastats.com. Retrieved 10 November 2022.
  8. ^ Dick Currie. "Eddie gets chop". Daily Record. p. 33. Retrieved 11 April 2023 – via Newspapers.com. 
  9. ^ "Jim has mammoth task on his hands". Kilmarnock Standard. 11 November 1988. p. 88. Retrieved 11 April 2023 – via Newspapers.com. 
  10. ^ John Docherty (25 November 1988). "King Killie!". Daily Record. p. 45. Retrieved 11 April 2023 – via Newspapers.com. 
  11. ^ Jim Kean (16 January 1989). "I'm No Thug!". Daily Record. p. 34. Retrieved 22 August 2023 – via Newspapers.com. 
  12. ^ John Docherty (15 May 1989). "Dop-Kick! Six-hit Killie sent down by penalty". Daily Record. p. 37. Retrieved 11 April 2023 – via Newspapers.com. 
  13. ^ Alex Milligan (19 May 1989). "Relegation is no great surprise – It's been coming for years". Kilmarnock Standard. p. 88. Retrieved 11 April 2023 – via Newspapers.com. 
  14. ^ Alex Milligan (30 September 1988). "I Want Control For My Money". Kilmarnock Standard. p. 80. Retrieved 22 August 2023 – via Newspapers.com. 
  15. ^ Ian Russell (3 February 1989). "Takeover-New Bid For Rugby Park". Kilmarnock Standard. p. 80. Retrieved 22 August 2023 – via Newspapers.com. 
  16. ^ "Scottish Division One 1988-1989 Season Summary". statto.com. Archived from the original on 21 December 2014. Retrieved 10 April 2012.
  17. ^ Ian Russell (19 August 1988). "Killie pay penalty". Kilmarnock Standard. p. 72. Retrieved 18 August 2023 – via Newspapers.com. 
  18. ^ Alex Milligan (26 August 1988). "Kilmarnock 0 Partick Thistle 1". Kilmarnock Standard. p. 80. Retrieved 18 August 2023 – via Newspapers.com. 
  19. ^ Alex Milligan (2 September 1988). "Ayr Raid Grounded". Kilmarnock Standard. p. 80. Retrieved 18 August 2023 – via Newspapers.com. 
  20. ^ Alex Milligan (9 September 1988). "Killie Had Their Chances". Kilmarnock Standard. p. 88. Retrieved 18 August 2023 – via Newspapers.com. 
  21. ^ Alex Milligan (16 September 1988). "Killie defence cracks wide open". Kilmarnock Standard. p. 80. Retrieved 18 August 2023 – via Newspapers.com. 
  22. ^ Alex Milligan (23 September 1988). "Defence Missing". Kilmarnock Standard. p. 72. Retrieved 18 August 2023 – via Newspapers.com. 
  23. ^ Alex Milligan (30 September 1988). "Dunfermline 3 Kilmarnock 0". Kilmarnock Standard. p. 80. Retrieved 18 August 2023 – via Newspapers.com. 
  24. ^ Alex Milligan (7 October 1988). "No change in fortune". Kilmarnock Standard. p. 72. Retrieved 18 August 2023 – via Newspapers.com. 
  25. ^ Alex Milligan (14 October 1988). "Point taken". Kilmarnock Standard. p. 80. Retrieved 18 August 2023 – via Newspapers.com. 
  26. ^ Alex Milligan (21 October 1988). "Two points: But a long way to go". Kilmarnock Standard. p. 88. Retrieved 18 August 2023 – via Newspapers.com. 
  27. ^ Alex Milligan (28 October 1988). "Yet another disappointment". Kilmarnock Standard. p. 88. Retrieved 18 August 2023 – via Newspapers.com. 
  28. ^ Alex Milligan (4 November 1988). "Utter Rubbish". Kilmarnock Standard. p. 80. Retrieved 18 August 2023 – via Newspapers.com. 
  29. ^ Alex Milligan (11 November 1988). "Kilmarnock 0 Falkirk 2". Kilmarnock Standard. p. 88. Retrieved 18 August 2023 – via Newspapers.com. 
  30. ^ Alex Milligan (18 November 1988). "Airdrie Took Chances". Kilmarnock Standard. p. 88. Retrieved 20 August 2023 – via Newspapers.com. 
  31. ^ Alex Milligan (25 November 1988). "Big Mac Double". Kilmarnock Standard. p. 88. Retrieved 20 August 2023 – via Newspapers.com. 
  32. ^ Alex Milligan (2 December 1988). "Kilmarnock 2 Dunfermline 2". Kilmarnock Standard. p. 87. Retrieved 20 August 2023 – via Newspapers.com. 
  33. ^ Alex Milligan (2 December 1988). "Head man MacFarlane". Kilmarnock Standard. p. 80. Retrieved 20 August 2023 – via Newspapers.com. 
  34. ^ Alex Milligan (16 December 1988). "Saints Crush Killie". Kilmarnock Standard. p. 80. Retrieved 20 August 2023 – via Newspapers.com. 
  35. ^ Alex Milligan (23 December 1988). "Alan To Rescue". Kilmarnock Standard. p. 56. Retrieved 20 August 2023 – via Newspapers.com. 
  36. ^ Alex Milligan (30 December 1988). "Near Thing". Kilmarnock Standard. p. 31. Retrieved 20 August 2023 – via Newspapers.com. 
  37. ^ Ian Russell (6 January 1989). "Hard Work Pays Off". Kilmarnock Standard. p. 43. Retrieved 20 August 2023 – via Newspapers.com. 
  38. ^ Ian Russell (6 January 1989). "Killie Dumped". Kilmarnock Standard. p. 44. Retrieved 20 August 2023 – via Newspapers.com. 
  39. ^ Alex Milligan (13 January 1989). "Never At The Races". Kilmarnock Standard. p. 72. Retrieved 20 August 2023 – via Newspapers.com. 
  40. ^ Alex Milligan (20 January 1989). "Watters Snatches Winner". Kilmarnock Standard. p. 80. Retrieved 20 August 2023 – via Newspapers.com. 
  41. ^ Alex Milligan (27 January 1989). "So Cool Watters". Kilmarnock Standard. p. 72. Retrieved 20 August 2023 – via Newspapers.com. 
  42. ^ Alex Milligan (24 February 1989). "Clyde In Control". Kilmarnock Standard. p. 88. Retrieved 20 August 2023 – via Newspapers.com. 
  43. ^ Alex Milligan (3 March 1989). "Well-Earned Draw". Kilmarnock Standard. p. 80. Retrieved 20 August 2023 – via Newspapers.com. 
  44. ^ Alex Milligan (10 March 1989). "Morton 2 Kilmarnock 2". Kilmarnock Standard. p. 80. Retrieved 20 August 2023 – via Newspapers.com. 
  45. ^ Alex Milligan (10 March 1989). "McCulloch Inspired". Kilmarnock Standard. p. 80. Retrieved 20 August 2023 – via Newspapers.com. 
  46. ^ Alex Milligan (17 March 1989). "Ayr Grabbed The Chances". Kilmarnock Standard. p. 88. Retrieved 20 August 2023 – via Newspapers.com. 
  47. ^ Alex Milligan (24 March 1989). "Killie Blew It". Kilmarnock Standard. p. 88. Retrieved 20 August 2023 – via Newspapers.com. 
  48. ^ Alex Milligan (31 March 1989). "Action Man McCulloch". Kilmarnock Standard. p. 80. Retrieved 20 August 2023 – via Newspapers.com. 
  49. ^ Alex Milligan (7 April 1989). "Good game but still no goals". Kilmarnock Standard. p. 72. Retrieved 20 August 2023 – via Newspapers.com. 
  50. ^ Alex Milligan (14 April 1989). "Narrow Win For Killie". Kilmarnock Standard. p. 72. Retrieved 20 August 2023 – via Newspapers.com. 
  51. ^ Alex Milligan (21 April 1989). "Defence Go Mad". Kilmarnock Standard. p. 88. Retrieved 20 August 2023 – via Newspapers.com. 
  52. ^ Alex Milligan (28 April 1989). "Best Forgotten". Kilmarnock Standard. p. 88. Retrieved 21 August 2023 – via Newspapers.com. 
  53. ^ Alex Milligan (5 May 1989). "Long Rangers". Kilmarnock Standard. p. 80. Retrieved 21 August 2023 – via Newspapers.com. 
  54. ^ Alex Milligan (12 May 1989). "Clydebank 3 Kilmarnock 2". Kilmarnock Standard. p. 88. Retrieved 21 August 2023 – via Newspapers.com. 
  55. ^ Alex Milligan (19 May 1989). "Watters Five Not Enough". Kilmarnock Standard. p. 88. Retrieved 21 August 2023 – via Newspapers.com. 
  56. ^ unknown (18 August 1988). "Kilmarnock 1 Forfar 0". Daily Record. p. 42. Retrieved 21 August 2023 – via Newspapers.com. 
  57. ^ Alex Milligan (26 August 1988). "Hibs 1 Kilmarnock 0". Kilmarnock Standard. p. 80. Retrieved 18 August 2023 – via Newspapers.com. 
  58. ^ Alex Milligan (3 February 1989). "Last Gasp". Kilmarnock Standard. p. 80. Retrieved 21 August 2023 – via Newspapers.com. 
  59. ^ Alex Milligan (10 February 1989). "Worthy Winners". Kilmarnock Standard. p. 80. Retrieved 21 August 2023 – via Newspapers.com. 
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