27/42 - Rugby Park, Kilmarnock

11th May 2019
Ground Number: 27
Ground: Rugby Park, Kilmarnock
Home of: Kilmarnock FC
Match: Kilmarnock V Hibs
Score: 1-0
Attendance: 7484

Due to work commitments it's taken longer than it should have to write our review of Rugby Park. I'm doing so on the morning of the Premiership Play Off Final which, of course, Dundee United are involved in again. So today will be either a really good day or a really bad day. Time will tell!

Rugby Park then became our final ground of this season. A very productive season I feel. 19 grounds covered, 48 goals witnessed and 2153 miles driven. It's been another great season in Scottish football and it felt appropriate to end it with a club who've had a record breaking season thanks, in part, to a fabulous manager who sadly has since departed to become manager of the Scottish national team. I do, of course, speak about Steve Clarke and the remarkable impact he's had on Kilmarnock.

Due to the feel good factor around the club, Rugby Park has been much busier of late than it traditionally is so we found parking a good 15 minute walk from the ground. We hadn't made any decisions where to sit prior to arriving today so first of all we'd find the Club Shop for the pin badge and then we'd decide where to park ourselves for the game. 

On approach to Rugby Park there was a great atmosphere in the air. There were crowds mingling, fans taking photos, songs being sung. It was a clear sign of a club on the up and a club having a great season. We got our regulatory photos and made our way to the shop past the brilliantly done Kilmarnock Wall Of Fame. We loved this simple, yet effective, permanent tribute Kilmarnock have to their stars of the past.

Upon approach to the shop it was clear it was very busy and with only 15 minutes or so until kick off we contemplated coming back later. Thankfully, after speaking with a steward, most people were here to pick up tickets not merchandise so we were able to quickly nip into the shop and pay out £3.00 for the badges and leave. Phew! 

Given our location it may sense to sit in the stand just behind the Club Shop and so into the Frank Beattie Stand we went.  £22.00 was the price of entry here and it seemed a fair price in line with other Premiership clubs we've been to thus far. Through the turnstiles we make our way to the food kiosk and we've been given advance warning that we must try the Killie Pie. So, naturally, that's exactly what we do.

Let me add to that. You MUST try the Killie Pie. It's fabulous quite frankly. Does it beat the Dunfermline Bridie? I'm not so sure. In terms of pies however, it's easily the best on the tour so far. Hot, tasty, full of filling. I could've gone for another to be honest! Pie purchased let's go and find a seat!

Given how busy the place was today we were a tad worried about finding decent unreserved seating but actually ended up finding two free seats just slightly right of the dug outs. We were very happy with our vantage point. Rugby Park today honestly did provide one of the best atmospheres we've witnessed so far. The place was rocking! It's also the only ground where we've heard the manager welcomed out of the tunnel too. As in the full tannoy treatment - "Killie, please welcome Steeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeve Claaaaaaaaaaaaaarrrrkkkkee!" They really do love Steve Clarke! No wonder! What a job he's done. Good luck to their next appointment is all I'll say!

Behind each goal are identical looking stands with a fairly steep rake which look like they offer great views of the game. The stand to our left housed the large away support today whilst the stand to the right was home to the Kilmarnock family section today. Directly opposite us is the East Stand which was bouncing today and seemed to be home to the more vocal of the Killie supporters. This stand doesn't quite run the full length of the pitch but the views from here would be pretty decent too I reckon. As for our view, we're happy with it despite the odd pillar and it seems our stand is home to the hospitality areas and such too.

As for the game it seemed to start at break neck speed as Kilmarnock, still chasing a European place, wanted to get the job done. They had several glaring opportunities throughout the match but it took a penalty, and a contentious one at that, to get the job done. There was a bit of grappling in the box but the Hibs defender was deemed to have committed a foul so a penalty was awarded and with that the game was won. Hibs did come into it a bit more as the game went on but, in all honesty, never looked like equalising. So, Killie held on, the fans on three sides of the ground were delighted and they'd go on to wrap up 3rd place in the style the following week with a win over Rangers to end the season.

We really enjoyed our visit to Rugby Park. Might it be as enjoyable if the club was battling relegation or on a cold Tuesday night in January? Probably not but then you could say that about most grounds. As it was, the club are in a real good place just now, the stadium was bouncing and it was so good to see a town get behind their club. It'll be interesting to see how next season pans out for Killie given the departure of Clarke but there's no doubt if the next manager can continue the good work he's started then Kilmarnock will continue to go from strength to strength.

That's it for this season. We've now got 16 grounds to go (thanks to Cove Rangers promotion) and we'll start all over again in pre-season. See you back here then. Have a great summer.