Johnnie Walker's: Kilmarnock Tartan Army members join fight to save jobs

Aug 14 2009 by Ian Russell, Kilmarnock Standard

LOCAL Tartan Army footsoldiers took the fight to save Johnnie Walker jobs to Norway this week.

A big banner highlighting the plight of the Hill Street workforce was unfurled during Scotland’s vital World Cup qualifier in Oslo on Wednesday night.

With the match screened live on BBC2 and other TV channels throughout Europe Killie fan John Gall thought it was the ideal chance to spread the word about drinks giant Diageo’s axe-wielding exercise.

John, managing director of Browning the Bakers, makers of the famous Killie Pie, and a group of his pals, set off for the game in the Ullevaal Stadium on Monday afternoon.

Said John before they left: “We made the banner as big as we could and we hope to have it behind one of the goals. .

“We all feel it’s important that as many people as possible, no matter where, know what’s going on in Kilmarnock.

“There are loads of Killie fans travelling to the game and we’re certain they will all get right behind us and make sure everybody they meet up with is made aware of the Johnnie Walker campaign.

“It’s not just a stunt – we’re there for the football and we will enjoy the game, but we are deadly serious about highlighting Diageo’s plans to shut the Hill Street plant.

“If the Norwegian fans don’t understand what the banner means we’ll be only too pleased to explain it to them!”