1988–89 Kilmarnock F.C. season explained

Club:Kilmarnock
Season:1988–89
Chairman:Bob Lauchlan
Manager:Eddie Morrison until November 1988[1] Jim Fleeting from November 1988[2]
League:Scottish First Division
League Result:13th
Cup1:Scottish Cup
Cup1 Result:3R
Cup2:Scottish League Cup
Cup2 Result:3R
League Topscorer:Willie Watters 12
Season Topscorer:Willie Watters 13
Prevseason:1987–88
Nextseason:1989–90
Highest Attendance:5,387 (v Ayr United, 27 August)
Lowest Attendance:1,584 (v Forfar Athletic, 18 March)
Average Attendance:2,488[3] (up 642)

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.[4] Jim Clark initially took over as caretaker[5] before the club hired Jim Fleeting for the rest of the season.[6] 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.[7] 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.[8] [9]

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.[10] A second bid was launched in January by a consortium led by the manager's brother Bobby Fleeting.[11]

Scottish First Division

See main article: 1988–89 Scottish First Division.

Match results

Match DayDateOpponentH/AScoreKilmarnock Scorer(s)Attendance
113 AugustQueen of the SouthA2–2[12] 1,587
220 AugustPartick ThistleH0–1[13] 2,442
327 AugustAyr UnitedH2–0[14] McGuire(39), Marshall(60)5,387
43 SeptemberClydebankA2–2[15] 1,418
510 SeptemberAirdrieoniansA1–5[16] Cook(70)2,016
617 SeptemberClydeH1–2[17] McDonald(12)1,745
724 SeptemberDunfermline AthleticA0–3[18] 5,379
81 OctoberGreenock MortonH3–4[19] 1,865
98 OctoberForfar AthleticA2–2[20] 685
1015 OctoberMeadowbank ThistleA2–0[21] Montgomerie(81), Cook(89)1,185
1122 OctoberRaith RoversH1–1[22] Wylde(9)1,965
1229 OctoberSt JohnstoneA0–2[23] 2,329
135 NovemberFalkirkH0–2[24] 2,561
1412 NovemberAirdrieoniansH0–3[25] 1,958
1519 NovemberClydeA2–0[26] McFarlane(31,45)1,028
1626 NovemberDunfermline AthleticH2–2[27] Gilmour(57pen), Brannigan(65)2,761
173 DecemberPartick ThistleA1–0[28] McFarlane(37)2,624
1810 DecemberSt JohnstoneH0–3[29] 2,501
1917 DecemberRaith RoversA0–0[30] 1,514
2024 DecemberMeadowbank ThistleH1–0[31] Watters(28)2,391
2131 DecemberClydebankH1–0[32] McLaughlin(5)2,760
223 JanuaryAyr UnitedA1–4[33] Faulds(46)8,585
237 JanuaryFalkirkA0–2[34] 3,972
2414 JanuaryQueen of the SouthH2–1[35] 2,264
2521 JanuaryForfar AthleticH2–1[36] Watters(37,74)1,813
2618 FebruaryClydeH0–0[37] 1,953
2725 FebruarySt JohnstoneA2–2[38] Watters(49), Reilly(83)2,393
281 MarchGreenock MortonA2–2[39] Watters(75), Harkness(80)1,807
294 MarchAirdrieoniansH1–1[40] McLaughlin(82)2,376
3011 MarchAyr UnitedA1–2[41] Montgomerie(20)5,476
3118 MarchForfar AthleticH2–2[42] Harkness(8), Faulds(14)1,586
3225 MarchDunfermline AthleticA0–0[43] 5,906
331 AprilFalkirkH0–0[44] 3,870
348 AprilMeadowbank ThistleA2–1[45] 866
3515 AprilRaith RoversH1–2[46] Harkness(16)2,218
3622 AprilGreenock MortonA0–3[47] 1,623
3729 AprilPartick ThistleH0–0[48] 2,932
386 MayClydebankA2–3[49] Harkness(1), Stewart(21)1,811
3913 MayQueen of the SouthA6–0[50] 1,570

Scottish League Cup

See main article: article and 1988-89 Scottish League Cup.

RoundDateOpponentH/AScoreKilmarnock Scorer(s)Attendance
R217 AugustForfar AthleticH1–0[51] Gilmour(55pen)1,523
R323 AugustHibernianA0–1[52] 10,000

Scottish Cup

See main article: 1988–89 Scottish Cup.

RoundDateOpponentH/AScoreKilmarnock Scorer(s)Attendance
R328 JanuaryQueen of the SouthA2–2[53] 2,941
R3R1 FebruaryQueen of the SouthH0–1[54] 5,623

See also

References

General

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

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

Specific

External links

Notes and References

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