PH The future of the famous 'Killie Pie' is under threat

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It follows the outbreak of pastry wars between Kilmarnock FC and its match day caterers, Brownings Bakers, over who owns the award-winning delicacy. The bakery, makers of the pie repeatedly named the best in the SPFL Premiership, angered the Ayrshire club's board by applying to trademark the fans' favourite. In response, the club informed the firm's managing director, John Gall, that they will be severing their 13-year relationship with his firm on May 31. Kilmarnock FC has now instructed trademark attorneys Marks & Clerk to fight the Brownings bid to call the 'Killie Pie' their own.

The organisation which rules over trademark disputes, could take up to a year to make a decision on the matter meaning the traditional match-day name will disappear while the case rumbles on. Yesterday, Mr Gall said he would be withdrawing all sponsorship from the club and announced plans to rebrand the pie until the end of the legal dispute.

I am just going to rebrand the product until the court case is settled John Gall, Brownings Bakers

He said: "I was advised by trademark specialists last year that I had a right to trademark the name 'Killie Pie' because we owned it. "We made the application just to make it official and ensure nobody else could use the name. Then two weeks ago, I received a letter from the club stating they would be terminating their contract with us." He added: "They said it was because we had made the trademark application in bad faith. I'm disappointed. I am a supporter of the club and I have put over £1million into it over the years.

"But they have made their position clear and there is no way back so, I won't be supplying them with pies next season."

PH It follows the outbreak of pastry wars between Kilmarnock FC and its match day caterers

PH The bakery's managing director, John Gall, said he would be severing ties with the club

He added: "I am just going to rebrand the product until the court case is settled and we will announce a new name next month. Our biggest customer for the 'Killie Pie' is Aldi and they have told me that they don't care what it's called as long as it's made by Brownings. "If we win the case nobody else will be able to use the name so the club couldn't sell something called the 'Killie Pie'." Kilmarnock FC is set to argue that the 'Killie Pie' was manufactured by local butcher, W W Wales before Brownings became involved and their ownership of the trademark 'Killie' gives them rights to it. In a statement, the club, who are fighting relegation from Scotland's top flight, said: "The Killie Pie was first made not by Brownings but by other local bakers who won a best football pie in Britain award.

PH Kilmarnock FC is set to argue that the 'Killie Pie' was manufactured by a local butcher