NEW DEAL FOR CLARKE
Boss signs new Killie deal and targets bigger crowds as part of his revolution
STEVE CLARKE has handed Kilmarnock a huge boost by penning a bumper new deal – then set his sights on packing out Rugby Park.
The 54-year-old boss arrived at Rugby Park in October on a three-year deal and steered the club from 11th to fifth spot.
Clarke, right, earned rave BY ANTHONY HAGGERTY reviews for his performance and now he’s targeting bigger crowds as he kicks his Killie revolution into top gear.
He said: “I’d like to see six, seven, 8000 people coming regularly to Rugby Park.”
KILMARNOCK boss Steve Clarke is aiming to attract up to 8000 fans to Rugby Park for every home game this season.
The 54-year-old and No.2 Alex Dyer handed the Ayrshire side a massive boost as they penned new and improved contracts with the club.
The duo have been rewarded after helping lead Killie to their first top-six spot in seven years with a fifthplaced finish last season.
Clarke also set a number of club records in his debut campaign with Killie including a points total of 59 which the beat the previous high of 57 in 2002-03.
The former WBA boss and Liverpool assistant also scooped the Scottish Football Writers’ Association Manager of the Year. Now, having brought the feelgood factor back to the town, Clarke has set sights on swelling attendance figures which averaged around 5400 in the league last season.
He said: “This is a consequence of the hard work the players have put in.
“Alex, myself and the rest of the backroom team have worked to shape the players to perform as well as they can and they did that last season.
“The supporters were ready for more good times than bad times. They have had a period of being in the doldrums, a bit like the town of Kilmarnock.
“Anything we do to make their Saturday afternoons or Tuesday nights better can only be good for the town. The support towards the end of last season was growing, hopefully it will grow a little bit more. I’d like to see six, seven, 8000 people coming regularly to Rugby Park.
“That would be an ambition of mine for this season, that we start to draw the crowds.
“My message to the Killie fans would be to look forward to the new season and come along as much as you can.
“It’s difficult as supporters don’t have the money to be there at every game but if they can get to as many as possible and give the team the backing they deserve hopefully we can have another good season.”
Having been linked with the managerial post at Rangers earlier this year, Clarke was delighted to ink a new deal with Killie because he enjoyed the job and the people he was working alongside.
He said: “There was no pressure on us to improve the contract. The club approached me at the end of last season. I have a good relationship with the people above me. The relationship is strong.
“I was grateful and pleased they came to me and offered me a new, improved contract. It tells you you’ve done a good job and it shows they have a little bit of faith in you.
“It’s easy to sign the contract and easy to take the rewards but the hard bit is that I need to repay that faith by doing more good work for the club and hopefully we can do that this season.
“It’s not the biggest club I’ve worked for but I’m enjoying the job and I enjoy going to my work day in, day out and when you get that job satisfaction it is great.
“All you can ask for as a coach is honesty in your workplace. I have never doubted myself as a coach.
“In the early years you are inexperienced but you gain that as you go along. I knew when I took my first job in management at West Brom I was ready to manage and I did a half-decent job and it was the same at Reading.
“If I can do a half-decent job at Kilmarnock then I’ll be happy. I don’t really bother too much about how other people judge me.
“I have high standards and high values myself and if I can reach them or aspire to reach them I will be happy.”
Kilmarnock director Billy Bowie said: “The board is delighted the club has secured the services of both Steve and Alex on new deals.
“There’s a real feeling of unity at the club as we look forward to the new season.”
I’d like to see six, seven, 8000 people coming regularly to Rugby Park STEVIE CLARKE