ON the evening of St Andrews Day 1989, the long drawn-out saga concerning the change of directors at Kilmarnock FC finally came to an end. Kilmarnock were struggling in the Second Division, but the new chairman of the club, Bobby Fleeting vowed that the new board would take the club back to where it belonged — the Premier Division. Manager Jim Fleeting and his assistants Jim McSherry and Frank Coulston were given a little more finance to work with, and on December 9, Kilmarnock shocked the world of Scottish football by signing Celtic legend Tommy Burns for a fee reported to be in the region of £50,000. Jim Fleeting stated Tommy’s experience on the field would be invaluable, and that he would like him to use it at the club not only as a player, but also by having an input into the coaching and running of the team. On December 16 — his 33rd birthday — Tommy Burns made his Kilmarnock debut in a league game at Methil against East Fife. It would be an unbelievable day of bizarre events for him and his new club. It all began to go wrong when the Kilmarnock bus broke down at Coatbridge, and because of a blizzard and heavy snowfall in Ayrshire, its replacement was held up from reaching Coatbridge in time. Some players used their own cars and taxis were hired to complete the journey to Fife, with the weather changing from snow to torrential monsoon-like rain en route. Eventually, Kilmarnock managed to get enough players to Methil for the game to kick off 13 minutes late. There was a few hundred Killie fans who managed to battle their way to the game, but for all of the 915 crowd, the game was a nightmare to watch, with the chilly freezing wind and torrential rain persisting relentlessly. After 79 minutes had been played, the referee abandoned the game due to the waterlogged state of the pitch, and also because several of the players were suffering badly from hypothermia in the wintry conditions. East Fife were leading 2-1 at the time. The following Saturday, December 23, Tommy made his official debut alongside another new signing, John Sludden, and they helped Kilmarnock to a 3-0 home win over Arbroath — Willie Watters scoring all three goals — the first hat trick in a league game by a Kilmarnock player since January 1980. Tommy went on to help Kilmarnock win promotion behind Brechin City in that 1989-90 season, and they also won the Ayrshire FA Challenge Cup. A fifth place finish in the first division in 1990-91 followed, and in the 1991-92 season, hopes were high that promotion could be won. But after a 3-1 home defeat from Partick Thistle in early April 1992, manager Jim Fleeting was sacked, and Tommy Burns was asked to be caretaker manager. In his first five games in charge, Kilmarnock won every one without losing a goal — the fifth game being a 4-0 win over Ayr United in the Ayrshire FA Challenge Cup final. The supporters had voiced their support for him to get the job at each of the five games — the most vociferous being in the last two games, a 1-0 win at Hamilton and the Ayr drubbing. Needless to say, after the cup win, he was appointed. Along with his assistant manager Billy Stark, Tommy led Kilmarnock to promotion (and another Ayrshire FA Challenge Cup win) in 1992-93, going up as runners-up to Raith Rovers. Back in the Premier Division for the first time in 10 years, he helped Kilmarnock maintain that status in a memorable 1993-94 season, which also contained another Ayrshire FA Challenge Cup win. He also was robbed of taking them to a Scottish FA Cup final in this season. After a 0-0 draw with Rangers in the semi-final, Kilmarnock went ahead in the replay, but a very contentious refereeing decision allowed Rangers an equaliser, and they eventually won 2-1. In July 1994 however, he left the club to re-join Celtic as manager. It was, admittedly, a bitter parting, mainly due to the illegal and underhand way Celtic FC had lured him away. It could have been done a lot more easily and respectably, but Fergus McCann, the then Celtic chairman, had little time for correct procedures, or clubs such as Kilmarnock. Despite the acrimonious way he left, Tommy Burns was still held in the highest esteem by all true Kilmarnock supporters. Alongside those who took part in the takeover saga, he was one of the leading and major contributors in a period of the club’s history that will forever be remembered. He was an inspiring figure on and off the field, and carried on the great work his predecessor Jim Fleeting had started. It was the infectious attitude and enthusiasm of Tommy that the supporters loved. He gave us back a passion and belief in our club. He made us truly believe that Kilmarnock FC would be a top club again. He was a leading light during a legendary part of our history, and generated a feel-good factor that lifted the entire town. He gave 100 per cent to Kilmarnock FC while at Rugby Park, and he was a genuinely kind and considerate man. He will never be forgotten for his tremendous contribution — a considerable one — to the history of Kilmarnock FC. Thank you Tommy Burns for some great memories. Heaven’s gain is our loss. | 
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