MVP: LlW

Team DPs: 132

KIL are rivals to 3 teams.

Season 41 - a new midfield

Some facts about the real life Kilmarnock(wikipedia)

* Oldest professional club in Scotland

*Kilmarnock took part in the first ever official match in Scottish football against the now defunct Renton F.C in 1873.

SESL info

Season 50

After spending all of my SESL career at ARB, I took the reins at Rugby Park in season 48 so I am embarking on my third season.

We inherited asquad that were defending Champions but were declining and so work was needed to get back to the top. Last season saw us grab the overachiever award after finishing 5th from a T17 prediction of around 10th.  A similar league showing this year would be welcome as we continue to rebuild. 

At the back we have an age 2 GK and 2 age 2 DFs who are high rated and will continue to be the backbone for a couple of seasons. Up front Moukoko, McCluskey and Mitchell will run the attack.  Another 20 goal showing for Moukoko who see him top scorer for the club so that's a mini target to aim for. 

Having secured the sponsor auction lot for 3 age 0s by the end of the season, we have the incentive to continue to bring in youth to continue the squad rebuild.

A top 6 league finish and perhaps a cup semi or final is the aim. 

Season 47: Prediction from Andrew SRA


Season 46: Prediction from Andrew SRA

KIL: Disaster start for much fancied Killie as Clarkson starts with a duck. This won’t last long though. Quality keeper and deep defence will keep out most attackers. Midfield is massive with Cameron (MA 3/30) and Martinelli (MA 3/29) enough to scare anyone. Also sports a powerful wing option and Eamonn Brophy (FW 2/25) will also come through. Lots of resources and enough OTF. Highest SL 459. 
Prediction: 5th

Season 45: Prediction from Andrew SRA
KIL: Shock opening loss will not dent hopes at Rugby Park.
Massive squad and experienced
Clarkson will be looking to keep the trophy.
Weak point is slight lack of DFs in depth. 
Prediction: Champions again (despite losing already!)

Season 44: August 2019
2nd place in Div 2 finds KIL back in Div 1
As for cups - done nothing for 20 seasons and than BANG!   Two top 10 finishes in both cups. 
Need to see more of that.  And plan to go deep in both cups in season 44.
Expect to stay in Div 1.

Season 44?  Lets be having you!

Andrew SRA predictions Aug19:  
KIL: Div Two runners-up are strong, well resourced and with high morale. Rugby Park hopes are already high having beaten rivals HEA and a solid draw against MON. Great Keeper and even better set of sweepers. DF is quality and deep with a midfield of NFL team size. Court (FW 4/27) will need replacing soon.T-11 2nd best and T-17 3rd best. 
Prediction: Runners-up

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year 2019: SEASON 43 - Jim Clarkson

March 2019 and it's noted only 3 out of last 13 seasons has SESL KIL been in Div 1!  
That is a stat that shall change this season with the clear aim of promotion out of Div 2 the plan.

As for cups - done nothing for 20 seasons!   And can't see that changing as league games will be the focus.
Any cup matches will be viewed as extra gate money and a chance to rest the first team.

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October update, SEASON 42 - Alisdair Gibson

The season began well with a series of wins and free-scoring (or as free scoring as it would ever be under this manager) but this tapered off dramatically after the MSA bit hard into the squad. The decision was taken early on not to focus on the cup competitions and to save EL for the leagie campaign. This would prove to be a reasonable plan as even with the shallow form we were able to make the play-off, although the aggregate defeat over two legs was not unexpected. The new season brings the need for squad building and there will be a definite focus on training up youngsters to plug the gaps in the playing staff. The Board expect miracles but the manager would be happy with another shot at the playoffs.

May update, SEASON 41

A calamitous run-in of no goals in nine out ten game meant relegation was hell-for-leather dive into Div 2. The early season promise and picking up  points disguised the inherent weaknesses in an unbalanced squad which was a hangover from the previous season. The lack of finances will be addressed this time but trading out of the problem has never been very successful as the mamanger does not have the golden touch when it comes to deals. Probably because the value of players is pretty much a mystery (regardless of mark bolland's sterling work in producing the latest figures!) and so the policy is for the club to train there own, but that is not always the best use of resources. There will be further meetings with the Board to set the strategy for the year. I can guess it will be score more goals, and don't let as many in at the other end.

year 2018, SEASON 40

The manager seems to be reverting to his old ways and the team has become mediocre. The away form has been poor last season and the tactics need looked at. The squad is ageing in the midfield and strikers so both need rebuilding. The lack of firepower is a worry as a lack of goals cost us a few matches this year - the chances were created but not put away. This year seems much the same which means it might be another close run thing to avoid the playoffs unless their is serious investment. The Board have been willing to spend in the past on more than the sherry so hopefuly that still holds true in January. The cups are just a distraction when the team has a small squad and I reckon it will be same again in 2018.

year 2017, SEASON 39

Last year was ultimately case of near but no cigar! The disappointment was sharpened by some bad luck, a couple of dud results and a resurgent Clydebank. Anyway, it was still a postive overall, and the aim this season will be to maintain the high standards set by the club. That will not be easy with such experienced managers in the league, but some prudent investment should pay off to strengthen the fading parts of the squad. The Gk position has been sorted but it might mean a few rocky results early on, and a tiring strikeforce needs help but hopefully goals will still come.

year 2017, SEASON 38
Been 10 seasons since KIL were last in Div 1.  KIL back at the top table in SESL!
Staying in Div 1 now has to be the aim.
GK are old and a younger back-up GK is needed as a top priority in season 38.
Cash is low also.
DF is weakest link in roster.
FW has SL but older players still seeking CP.

December 2021

I'm enjoying life at the team I support in real life and will continue to try to improve them. 

In the real world, I am about to move jobs again - just waiting for a confirmation of a start date so hopefully by Jan/Feb I will be making the change. 

We were considering moving house but the new job along with my wife also changing jobs means we will probably stay put for a bit longer.  We will know more at the next season update. 

Hoped for the new year include the aforementioned new job, and for travel to get back to normal! :) 

 

 

 

October 2020: season 47

Jim Clarkson:  boldly announce we are going for the Div 1 title this season!
Be bold.
Said it in bold text.
yep, BOLD.

 

Finally concentrating on league play this season and using cup to rest EL.

Just 2 DF's to start the season, but plenty cash to add a couple of DF's from auction in next few weeks.

3 x DM will do ok in meantime.

Five key players all to see 10 CP each in season 47.

Ideally a further 10CP will be sought at auction for a FW SL boost.

KIL squad fairly healthy overall but 2 big GKs a water so may trade 1 away around mid season.

 

SESL managerial record:

S47: Div 1: KIL ......... pending
S46: Div 1: KIL 2nd
S45: Div 1: KIL 3rd
S44: Div 1: KIL 1st
S43: Div 2: KIL 2nd
S42: Div 3: HAM 1st
S41: Div 2: MON 1st
S40: Div 3: MON 1st
S39: Div 1: SM 1st
S38: Div 1: SM 5th
S37: Div 1: SM 8th
S36: Div 2: SM 4th

INVINCABLES:
That Championship Season - Season 44.  KIL win Div 1
Played 30 league games - Won 25.   Drew 5.  Lost 0

30

25

5

0

93

21

80

March 2019: season 43
Jim Clarkson swoops in to the KIL managers chair having been head hunted from Hamilton.

Need:  a GK.  a DF.  a FW.  The basis of a good team is there though thanks to Alisdair.
Also need:  some luck of a cup run to earn extra gate receipts.

4 seasons at SM and it was time to move on with DEV & DUM breathing down my neck!

2 seasons at MON and it was time for a challenge at HAM who finished 14th in Div 3.
So the only way is up!

1 season at HAM and it was time for a re-building at KIL

KIL will get promoted back to where they belong for season 44.


Jim Clarkson a graphic designer from south of England

Random facts:  he eats Nutella, and can complete a rubix cube!

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Early 2017 Alisdair Gibson takes over as manager having left Greenock Morton. having taken over from Dave Smyth, steered a bouyant side to second in Division 1 in season 38, a turnaround from struggling with rebuilding a poor Morton.

Update 2018 a poor second half to the season left a sour taste in the mouth but I took some comfort in my writing! The western is on the second draft and the plan is to have the subsequent drafts completed by this time next year. So hopefully.....it will be completely finished by this time next year.

Season Update MAY 2018 #2 another poor season....it's like a broken record! The third refraft of the western is going ok alongside the extensive house renovations (which brings the sobering realisation that we have Arsenal tastes on a Lincoln City budget).

Update Ocotber 2018 Division 2 proved to be hard but at least the manager seems to be starting to learn! This season there may be some experimentation with line-ups and taking of some risks - not something the maanager is noted for. The western is on the fourth draft and there will be some serious rewrites of a few sections once it is completed. Ever onwards!

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2017: Who am I?

KIL 2 titles in 2 seasons and back in Div 1 for season 38.

Dave Smyth joined SESL Feb 2016, after initially joining trainee league ODFL on 2/1/16

Resident in New Zealand. 

Plan to play attractive with Pressing & Counter Attack, although Michael Moffat (4/28 MA) is a key transfer signing this season, so may try Ball Control with a big midfield.

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Who am I?
Arnold Yzermans, 45 years of age, born and raised in Rotterdam and loyal supporter of Feyenoord.

Married, 3 kids (all boys) and a pet rabbit.

Playing PbeM for some time now. Don't recall the exact year I started, but it is over 15 years ago with an electronic football league, which was at the time literaly played by e-mail. Can't recall the league name byt managed a team with the name Disney Athletic. Chip being my main player.

Started SESL in the 3rd division with East Stirlingshire. Work took the best of my time and I dropped the league to return after some time at Dundee, which was an unlucky and short spell.

In real life next to football, rugby and cycling (which I do myself) are main sport interests. Next to that I am a decent percussionist. Also worth mentioning is the fact that I am still a fan of the footballmanager series (playing Neftohimik 62 (Bulgaria) 3rd season), pro cycling manager and the Paradox games like Victoria, Crusader Kings and Europa Universalis

 

Arnold Yzermans Milestones   (also at SRA season 25-26)

MANAGER HISTORY
Team	Season	Division	Table	Points
EST	3	3	8	45
EST	4	3	7	52
EST	5	3	6	47
EST	6	3	12	34
EST	7	3	16	25
KIL	31	2	9	42
KIL	32	2	12	31