Episode Summary
Hosts
Graham Dunn, Jamie Rooney
David Sneddon
Guest(s)
Release Date
3 April 2025
Duration
73 min
In this episode of By Far The Greatest Team, Graham Dunn and Jamie Rooney are joined by David Sneddon, son of club legend Davie Sneddon, to revisit the unforgettable story of Kilmarnock’s 1964–65 title-winning season — a triumph of resilience, teamwork, and small-town pride.
It was a campaign that built toward one of the most iconic finishes in Scottish football history. On the final day, Kilmarnock travelled to Tynecastle to face league leaders Hearts, needing a two-goal victory to win the title on goal average. Against all odds, they did just that — winning 2–0 and lifting their first and only Scottish championship.
The discussion explores the leadership of manager Willie Waddell, the pivotal role of Davie Sneddon as captain, and the collective ethos that made this team greater than the sum of its parts. The hosts also reflect on the wider context: Killie’s European campaigns that followed, the shifting landscape of Scottish football in the 1960s, and Waddell’s later influence at Rangers, where he would help rebuild Ibrox in the wake of tragedy.
More than a football story, this is a tale of belief, identity, and the enduring spirit of a community that dared to dream — and won.
Takeaways
Kilmarnock’s only league title, won in dramatic fashion in 1965
The decisive final-day victory over Hearts at Tynecastle
The influence and legacy of David Sneddon within the team and the club
Willie Waddell’s management and the value of team spirit
How Killie’s 1960s success still resonates in Scottish football history
Kilmarnock 1964–1965: The Miracle at Tynecastle
In the spring of 1965, Kilmarnock Football Club achieved the impossible. On the final day of the Scottish league season, they travelled to Tynecastle to face leaders Hearts, needing to win by two clear goals to take the title on goal average. They did just that — winning 2–0 and securing the club’s first and only Scottish championship.
Under Willie Waddell, Kilmarnock were a team defined by tactical intelligence, unity, and courage. Every player knew his role, and every performance was built on discipline and belief. Davie Sneddon, the inspirational captain, embodied that ethos — a local leader whose determination mirrored the town’s identity.
The triumph was not just about football. It was about community. In an era dominated by Glasgow’s giants, Kilmarnock’s victory represented the power of ambition and teamwork. The players were heroes of the people — craftsmen, locals, and loyal servants of the club.
Beyond the title, the achievement opened doors to European football, where Killie faced legends like Real Madrid and carried Ayrshire’s name across the continent. The legacy endured long after the celebrations faded, a reminder that greatness is not measured by size but by spirit.
Nearly six decades later, that 1964–65 team remains immortal — proof that dreams can come true, even in the shadow of giants.
Main Topics
Iconic Moments
Willie Waddell’s tactical vision and leadership
Davie Sneddon’s influence as captain and club icon
The 2–0 win over Hearts at Tynecastle to seal the title
The impact of Killie’s European adventures
The cultural legacy of Kilmarnock’s greatest triumph
Final-day 2–0 win at Tynecastle to clinch the title
First and only top-flight championship for Kilmarnock
Davie Sneddon lifting the Scottish Division One trophy
Willie Waddell’s leadership cemented in club folklore
European Cup debut against Real Madrid
Notable Manager
Willie Waddell
Notable Players
Davie Sneddon, Frank Beattie, Jackie McInally, Andy King, Ronnie Hamilton, Campbell Forsyth, Jim McFadzean, Andy Kerr, Matt Watson, Tommy McLean, Willie Toner
Style of Play
4-3-3, Disciplined, Counter-Attacking, Team-Oriented, Structured, High Work Rate
Under Willie Waddell, Kilmarnock’s style of play blended tactical discipline with intelligent wing play and quick transitions — a hallmark of 1960s Scottish football at its best. Typically lining up in a 4-3-3 (often adapting to a 4-2-4 in attack), Killie relied on organisation, work ethic, and clinical finishing rather than individual brilliance.
Defensively solid and compact, Campbell Forsyth provided reliability in goal, supported by a backline that prioritised positioning over pace. In midfield, Davie Sneddon and Frank Beattie set the tempo — calm in possession, relentless in pressing, and capable of dictating play under pressure. Out wide, McInally and McLean gave the team balance and creativity, stretching defences and creating space for the strikers.
Waddell’s philosophy was rooted in collective effort. Every player understood his role, and every match was approached with tactical precision. The team’s famous 2–0 win over Hearts epitomised this — patient buildup, decisive movement, and unwavering belief.
While other Scottish giants of the era relied on star power, Kilmarnock’s triumph came from unity. Their football was honest, efficient, and full of purpose — a reflection of Waddell’s character and the working-class pride of Ayrshire.
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