Supporters club takes control of Young Killie operations

May 29 2009 by Clair Fullarton, Kilmarnock Standard

KILLIE’S young supporters club is now under the club’s control after a split in the committee and the resignation of five committee members.

An open meeting was held at the Park Suite last Tuesday when chairman Michael Johnston told the remaining ‘Young Killie’ committee members they were free to continue with their group, but the name ‘Killie’ could no longer be attributed to them.

Instead the new official young supporters group will be under the Killie Futures banner and come under the direct control of community coach Paul McDonald.

The split occurred last month when a vote of no confidence was put forward in a member of the Young Killie committee, who resigned before a vote could take place.

Following this, four members of the committee resigned in protest, and a letter containing various allegations and denials was passed to parents.

Last week, the club stepped in and announced their plans to take over the running of the official young supporters club, which has run successfully, until this split, for the past 10 years.

A parent who attended the meeting said: “There were about 40 parents there, and I felt the general consensus among us was to stay with the current Young Killie committee.

“My personal feeling is this could have been sorted out, without the club basically taking over the running the club. Surely any issues could have been dealt with before it got to this stage?

“Four members who resigned were at the top table with Michael Johnston, the club secretary and Paul McDonald. There was no sign of the existing committee members.”

Killie chairman Michael Johnston said: “Kilmarnock Football Club is fully committed to continuing with an official junior supporters’ club next season to ensure that all young supporters have access to professionally supervised coaching classes, tickets for SPL football matches involving Kilmarnock, both home and away, and other special offers at Rugby Park.

“The club is forming a new committee to run the group, and if any parent is interested in assisting either as a committee member or by offering to help in running events, they should contact Kim on 01563 545305 with their personal details.

“The club would also welcome ideas on how ‘Young Killie’ can be improved.”

A spokesman for the remaining members of the original Young Killie committee declined to comment until further talks with parents had taken place this weekend.