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Killie Cup Action It's Scottish Cup quarter final action this weekend when Scotland's second oldest club Kilmarnock come North on Friday night @ 7:45 looking for a place in the semi-finals of the second oldest Cup competition in the world. However, it's the oldest trophy as it's still the original trophy that is up for grabs. At 2ft high the silver trophy was not cheap back in the day, costing £56/13 shillings and was commissioned to Glasgow silversmith George Edwards & Sons. The first ever event started in 1873 and the final in 1874 saw Queens Park beat Clydesdale 2-0 in front of 2,500 fans at the original Hampden Park. Incidentally Kilmarnock played in the first ever Scottish Cup tie, losing 2-0 to Renton in 1873. Standing in their way this season are our very own Caley Jags, Scottish Cup winners in 2015. Kilmarnock have won the Cup three times (1920/29/97). The last time they lifted the Cup in 1997, like us, they also defeated Falkirk in the final. The result was 1-0 at Ibrox in front of 45,000 fans with Paul Wright scoring the only goal. See more at The Scottish Cup. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Match/Ticket Info Live on BBC Scotland The Covers Are On ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Venue H2H v Killie Pld Won Drn Lst For Agst + / - Home 25 12 9 4 46 33 +13 Away 26 8 6 12 36 45 -9 Neutral 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Total 51 20 15 16 82 78 +4 Overall, we still hold the edge over Kilmarnock and have met them five times in the Scottish Cup which includes a replay in 2001. This is the first 6th round tie between the cubs with Killie having won two of the previous three 5th round ties. I don't think Killie ever got over being dumped out of the Scottish Cup on the 9th of February 1985 by Highland League Inverness Thistle. Dave Milroy, Gordon Hay and Brian Black were the scorers that ensured the playing surface would be covered with big Kilmarnock bunnets and scarves. What a sight that was. That win earned Thistle an away tie at Parkhead in the last sixteen. 2001 Mar 6th Scottish Cup (Round 4 Replay) 1 - 2 A 6,528 Feb 17th Scottish Cup (Round 4) 1 - 1 H 5,294 2009 Feb 7th Scottish Cup (Rd 5) 2 - 0 H 2,578 2010 Feb 6th Scottish Cup (Rd 5) 0 - 3 A 4,473 2013 Feb 2nd Scottish Cup (Rd 5) 0 - 2 A 3,172 Here's Killie with a late equaliser in 2001 We have the upper hand most recently, although these were all very tight fixtures. Last 4 Competitive Meetings from season 21/22 in the Championship. 2 - 1 (H) 0 - 1 (A) 1 - 0 (H) 1 - 0 (A) On December 3rd last season, Sean Welsh did this in a 1 - 0 win over Killie..... BOOM! Last Time Out Inverness got a welcome three points at Somerset Park despite going behind early on after top Scorer Dipo Akinyemi scored his sixteenth of the season. Sean Welsh levelled soon after then Ayr were reduced to ten men when Daire O'Connor was sent off fifteen minutes before the break. Inverness took their time but eventually got the reward their chances deserved when Jay Henderson popped up at the back post to bury a Nathan Shaw cross. Deserved three points for the Caley Jags after a lean spell and sets us up nicely for a crack at Killie in the Cup. Our own recent form over last five is also disappointing but hopefully on the up: D L L D W Killie went down at Ibrox last weekend as Rangers scored three first half goals. It was a poor defensive performance by the Rugby Park club in the first forty-five and they had the disappointment of a VAR penalty award on the break. In their favour, after a much improved performance, they did win the second half 1-0 when Jeriel Dorsett scored with a header and they also had a penalty claim turned down. Killie find themselves second bottom of the Premiership after a poor run of form and unless much changes they will be vying with Ross County for a relegation play-off spot with Dundee United occupying the automatic relegation slot. Last five results heading downwards: W L L D L The only win in that run was over bottom club Dundee United on 1st February. Latest Team News Our fortunes are slowly turning on the injury front with Deas, Harper, Devine, Delaney and Samuels all returning, but there are still five players missing: Sutherland, Walsh, MacGregor, Ram and Woods. Billy Mckay returned after suspension last week and is chasing the goal scoring record of Dennis Wyness. On the playing surface the covers are on as another big freeze hits the North, -10 around the area already this week. Kilmarnock have found the going tough in the Premiership this season but they are not without some very good players. One of our own Liam Polworth is still at Killie and featured in their last game at Ibrox. Daniel Armstrong is a danger with his attacking flair and he is top scorer with nine goals this season plus five assists. Jordan Jones has returned to Rugby Park and is another tricky customer. Rory Mackenzie is a pocket dynamo with his all action style. In defence Ash Taylor is still there and has contributed at the other end with four goals, a danger at set pieces. By all accounts, Killie will be bringing a decent away support to this one.

Is that what they are singing here. Look at the olde git leading the conga...

Im amazed at the confidence tbh. I'm expecting nothing but will be a bonus if we get a win

I can't call this one. Our home form could be our downfall but, on the plus side, our cup exploits give hope. We need this win to boost the coffers and fan excitement. Extra time and pens anyone?

Fantastic memories

Can't call this game at all, really hope we can sneak it into the semi finals, for morale as much as much needed money into the club, fingers crossed ICT

Not a great new amenity or public facility, but a personal favourite is the Black Isle Brewery bar on Church Street. Great selection of beers - when we are in Inverness we usually visit the brewery shop to load up the car - and the pizzas are really good! We've also had some interesting and fun conversations when sharing a table with strangers. You'll probably all say that it's a tourist trap. Well, when I am in Inverness, I am a tourist

A loss of £800k on turnover of £2m implies costs of £2.8m, a 40% loss, which would be alarming for most companies. In business that means two options, which can be taken forward jointly: 1. Increase revenue 2. Reduce costs. We look to have tried (and failed) to increase revenue (eg concerts) so we must now look at costs. This does not have to mean players and their contracts, but we need to look at all the non playing staff and see what economies are possible. Do we need a staff of 90 odd? There may be “non cash” items in the costs, for example if we are depreciating assets over a defined period, but I would not expect any such items to be substantial. The other key element is cash flow and whether it is positive, or dependent on ongoing loans from Directors. Looking forward, as well as a thorough review of all costs, we should get any realistic prospects tied up on long term contracts if possible so we maximise the chances of decent transfer income. And a win on Friday would also help immensely!

One would expect SG to play down any financial difficulties on national radio. One also recognises that most football clubs have financial difficulties, but that doesn't mean we shouldn't be concerned about the situation with ICT. Let's just remind ourselves of what the official financial report actually stated. The accounts reported a loss before tax of £835K and net current liabilities (debt) of £1.71M which is up 70% from the previous year and from the last Covid free year in 2018/9. The accounts do not report a turnover figure, but from memory, turnover in previous years has been just a little over £2m. Whether you consider those figures as representing a crisis or not is maybe a matter of opinion, but they are certainly a significant concern. The new auditors stated they had "material concerns" about the viability of the club relying on unproven income streams and savings on operational costs. The club waited till the deadline to post the latest accounts and has had no AGM since the previous accounts were posted, also at the deadline. It is not a pretty picture. Personally I don't think the club is in immediate risk of going bust, but unless some major financial windfall comes along, it clearly needs to find someone to pump record sums of money into the club to stop the finances getting even worse than they currently are. One hopes that when the club finally has its AGM later this month, there will be a little more openness about the financial situation than we have had to date. As things stand, unless we can somehow win promotion (or the cup!) this year, cuts to the playing budget seem inevitable. If that happens, getting out of the Championship at the right end will get more and more difficult.

Neither Scot Gardiner or the current Chairman have done a single thing they said they would do since being in situ, so there's nothing to base any trust on. Plan A was the concerts. Plan B seems to be some sort of park and ride scheme using carparks the club doesn't even own, and a battery storage facility being built half way across the city which we only seem to be lending our name to, and which is already facing planning objections. I make no apology for remaining extremely sceptical.

There must be a watching "anorak" who could provide a comparison with other clubs. And this forum is possibly the biggest scaremonger factor in operation. I will always be concerned but my anxieties are eased slightly in the knowledge that somebody has dug us out of a financial hole on a number of previous occasions. Plus SG and peers would not have issued the statement if they did not have a Plan A or Plan B to fall back on and even provided some of the constituents. Lets face it - no matter how well we perform that promotion is the only way out of the mire.

Again it is really satisfying to receive plaudits from those who appeared to be detractors. A bit like the team really.