KILMARNOCK Football Club has denied rumours it will invest in crisis-hit Kilwinning Sports Club.

Rumours were swirling last week that the Scottish Premiership side were interested in striking a cash-deal with the community club to use its state-of-the-art training facilities.

Last month the Times exclusively revealed that the Pennyburn-based club had fallen on hard times and were struggling to pay staff ’s wages.

The club’s finances are so dire that voluntary trustees had been paying bills with their own personal credit cards, just to ensure the doors stayed open.

However with cashflow at an all-time low and pressures from competitors, the club revealed it was struggling to survive.

Rumours that Killie were scouting for a new training ground were rife and were potentially offering a life line to the sports facility.

Supporters of Kilwinning Sports Club were hopeful any investment from the football giant could spell the end of its financial woes.

However Killie bosses denied there had been any talks to invest in the stricken club.

A spokesman said: “The club is currently exploring a number of options for a new training centre but Kilwinning Sports Club is not currently on our list for further consideration.”

Club director Jim Hodge said he would still welcome any opportunities to work with Kilmarnock FC.

He said: “Before Killie replaced their grass pitch with a 3G the club were in the final stages of agreeing a deal with then chairman Michael Johnston for Killie to use KSC as their daytime training base.

“KSC are open to discussions with any organisations for the use of KSC facilities that will benefit the community of Kilwinning.”