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20th
April 2005: the visit of Manchester United was a pivotal moment
in Everton’s quest for the final Champions League place. David
Moyes, the manager, had decided to name an unchanged team apart
from one; Duncan Ferguson was to start. The last time Everton
had beaten the Red Devil’s was in 1995 when Ferguson himself had
risen highest to head home the winning goal. This spring night
at Goodison Park was to be no different. On the stroke of the
hour mark Ferguson lost his marker in the box and planted a diving
header into the back of the net in front of the Gladys Street
End faithful. The scenes from Goodison Park were hysterical. As
he ripped of his shirt to reveal the club crest tattooed on his
arm the 40,000 people strong crowd marveled at the hero they have
worshipped for now over a decade. This was the night that a new
legend was etched into the Everton history books.
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Duncan
Ferguson began his career as a trainee at Dundee United. He soon
became noted as a physical and aerially supreme centre-forward,
attracting much interest from top Scottish clubs; one being Rangers.
So in the summer of 1992 Ferguson made a record breaking £4
million move to Rangers. Injuries have restricted Ferguson’s potential
throughout his career and in two years at Rangers he managed to
make only twelve appearances without scoring and failed to win
over the home fans. Joe Royle, the Everton manager at the time,
took a gamble with him and for another £4million brought
Ferguson to Goodison Park. Scoring a goal against arch rivals
Liverpool on Joe's first match in charge, immediately made Duncan
an iconic figure in the blue half of Merseyside. Everton’s financial
problems however took a turn for the worse and Big Dunc, as christened
by the Everton fans, dramatically moved to Newcastle United for
£7million in 1999 after five years of service to the club
and winning an F.A. Cup winners medal along the way. Ferguson
was obviously deeply saddened by the move and let his feelings
known in an interview with a national newspaper where he said
that ‘Everton fans will always be a part of me’ and ‘my dream
is to one day return home’. After his debut for Newcastle in a
F.A. Cup tie in 1999 he turned to a reporter and said ‘I hope
we win the cup, but if we don’t, I hope Newcastle do.’ This love
of Everton shone through in Duncan and after an injury marred
time at Newcastle he got his wish and was sold back to Everton
much to the delight of his Evertonian followers.
Many
have said that if there was a book on Duncan Ferguson it would
be a top seller. His aggressive style of play and short temper
has regularly landed Ferguson in controversy. Whilst playing for
Rangers in 1994, an extraordinary moment of chaos saw Ferguson
head butt Raith Rovers defender John McStay. Consequently Ferguson
was charged with gross violent misconduct and was sentenced to
three months in Barlinnie prison, only the second player to serve
time behind bars for an on-the-field incident. This punishment
saw Duncan Ferguson become a guinea pig in the Scottish F.A.’s
attempt to clamp down on match violence. It is possible to see
this level of violence on the pitch every Saturday afternoon and
this was why Ferguson felt so let down by the Scottish Football
Association. He took the decision to refuse to play for his country
again. He only made seven caps at international level and showed
Scotland what a gem they could have had, rattling the upright
with a sweetly struck bicycle kick on his debut. Since then various
Scottish managers have approached Ferguson in attempt to bring
him out of international exile, but in vain.
More
recently in 2003 whilst playing against Fulham in an F.A Cup tie
he was accused by Luis Boa Morte of racism. This type of accusation
involved police investigations and club reports. Ferguson was
always baffled by the claims and protested his innocence. Ferguson
had recently travelled to Nigeria to attend his ex-striking-partner,
Daniel Amokachi’s, wedding. Amokachi ridiculed the accusations
directed at his good friend as did ex-Everton player Kevin Campbell
and without further ado Ferguson was cleared of all claims.
Ferguson
holds the worst discipline record since the dawn of the Premiership
in 1992. He has picked up eight red cards, countless yellow cards
and is always involved in any fracas. He reacts to small situations
and is therefore often the target for sly comments from opposing
players. However his size and strength scares even the most solid
of defenders, such as his demolition of Rio Ferdinand in last
year’s campaign. Until he retires he will terrorise any defensive
line and will strike fear into opposing players. In his youth
Ferguson was also a nifty boxer, a fact that two burglars found
out when they attempted to rob his Merseyside home. Ferguson caused
himself an injury in grappling with the two trespasses that were
later hospitalised for their efforts.
One
question still remains a point of interest for all Evertonians:
was Duncan Ferguson a Everton legend? It is without doubt that
in my opinion he had been our best player for nearly a decade.
Duncan always used to raise the hopes of fans whenever he was
placed on the team list. It is just unfortunate that a man of
such talent and endeavour never reached his true potential through
consistent injuries and his notorious temperament. However Duncan’s
dynasty will always remain…..good luck to you mate and thanks
for all the glorious memories. Phil R. (22/02/07)
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