Kilmarnock chairman Michael Johnston hits back

KILMARNOCK chairman Michael Johnston last night rejected claims that the club could be facing a winding up order over an unpaid bill of £16,000.

A report yesterday stated that businessman Craig Stevenson, whose company Braehead Foods supplies the club’s hotel, had instructed his solicitors to act over the sums outstanding. Johnston, however, firmly rebutted this version of events, or that it suggests the Ayrshire club, with debts of £9.8 million, could be under threat of insolvency.

“We had an e-mail from solicitors late on Friday afternoon that I will respond to on Monday and it is a relatively modest amount he [Stevenson] is seeking,” said Johnston. “There are procedures we go through before we pay creditors and we’ll then be in a position to make him a payment.

“It is clear from his own comments that we are not talking about a large amount of money and not particularly aged debt. The bulk of the debt he is claiming is not due for payment until the end of January. The idea of a visit from Sheriff Officers does not cause me any concerns, but what does concern me is that this is bad publicity for the club and creates uncertainty and worry for the supporters and the club’s suppliers.”

The club’s AGM on Thursday has been suggested as being behind Stevenson going public. “You may speculate he is trying to maximise embarrassment for the club and me personally,” said Johnston.