Jim Fleeting (1955 – 2026)

Kilmarnock Football Club was devastated to learn of the passing of former manager Jim Fleeting, aged 70.

A hugely influential figure in the club’s modern history, Jim managed the Rugby Park outfit between 1989 and 1992.

Jim famously signed Tommy Burns for Killie for a fee of around £50,000, with the Scottish football legend going on to lead the club as Fleeting’s successor upon his departure in ’92.

Burns played an integral role in promotion to the First Division while Jim was still manager before guiding the club to the top-flight in 1993 at the end of his first full season in charge and fighting off relegation the year after. This helped Killie cement their spot back among Scotland’s elite clubs for the first time in a decade.

Jim would go on to coach at Partick Thistle and Scotland Women before taking on an important role in the development of future coaches for the Scottish FA at the National Sports Centre in Largs. He retired from this position in 2018 and was credited with helping the likes of Jose Mourinho on their path to becoming one of the world’s top coaches.

A centre-half by trade, he started his professional career at Norwich City after being picked up from Kilbirnie Ladeside. Prior to joining the the junior side, Jim was part of the Knockentiber Amateurs side who won the Scottish Amateur Cup in 1973 for the first time. He spent time on loan in Florida, USA with Tampa Bay Rowdies before joining Ayr United. After five years in South Ayrshire, he moved onto Clyde and Greenock Morton. His first foray into management came at Stirling Albion in 1988, however, his time was cut short there when Killie came calling.

The thoughts of everyone at Kilmarnock FC are with Jim’s family, Irene, Gemma, Barry and Julie, at this difficult time.