Ex Everton gaffer Joe Royle today made an audacious swoop for Everton hard man Duncan Ferguson on a loan deal. Royle said that Ferguson was a big impact player and he understood Evertons reasons for not parting with the big man.Bluekipper.com are lead to believe the deal broke down as he would have only been third cock at the Suffolk club.

Moysey says: “Ipswich made an enquiry, but we told them no.” (11/09/03)

A Friendly Brace

Big Dunc grabbed his second brace in a week to send a message to Moyesy that he can still find the net. Everton ran out 3 - 0 winners in today's (behind closed doors) friendly against Rotherham. Big Dunc weighed in with two second half headers after an oggy had put us one up at half time, hopefully there is something left to prove, starting against his old club Newcastle on Saturday (08/09/03)

Fit

Duncan will play some part against Rangers on Saturday. It has been nine years since Duncan was at Ibrox and he will be determined to put on a show for us and his old club.

Moyes said: "Duncan has worked hard in pre-season. We are pleased he has got himself fit and in a condition to be selected. We will want to be getting as much football into him as we can." (24/07/03)

Rangers Target

Alex McLeish wants Big Duncan. Not to play for him, but to play against him. Why? Because he's big. He wants Duncan to give trialist defenders Emerson Thome and David May a tough time.

McLeish said "I know that both players have coped with this in the past but they have both had injuries and I have to be certain. I don't know if big Duncan Ferguson will be back in the scheme of things but English teams always pose a threat at set-pieces. They are notoriously big so I would like to see David and Emerson tested in this environment".(22/07/03)

What's A Pre- Season?

For the first time in ages it looks like Duncan will complete a pre-season. With his injuries hopefully behind him can we expect the Duncan of old. Let's hope so.

Moysey said:"Duncan is doing really well this pre-season. He's getting a good pre-season under his belt and has taken part in every training session since we started back. He's certainly looking fit and his test results show that."(17/07/03)

Dundee Utd. They Say No!

Dunc won’t be going back to his old club on loan. Ian McCall, a friend of Moyseys says: "I mentioned it in passing to David but it never went any further than that. It's a lot of nonsense - there is no way this could happen. Any possible deal would have to suit us and how could we take him on, given his injury record? Would he be able to go back to them as soon as he picks up a knock, or would we have to pay his wages while he is on the sidelines?" (23/06/03)
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Dunc The Croc

It will come to no surprise to Evertonians that Big Dunc has come near the bottom of the table of crocs. Looking at his games ratio per season, Duncan Ferguson (10 seasons as a pro under his belt), Leeds United striker Michael Bridges (six seasons) and Coventry City midfielder Keith O'Neill (six seasons). Big Dunc scores no mean mean of 25.63 games per season, Irish international Keith O'Neill notches up an average of 19 exactly (21 including international caps), while poor old Michael Bridges weighs in with a meagre 16.66, making him the most injured of the lot. Even Darren Anderton, the man they call Sick-Note has 40.9 matches per season over 10 seasons.

Well it goes to show that Big Dunc is not the worst, he's the third worst injured player! What a croc'. Thanks to Rob -Yorkshire Blue for the info. (05/06/03)

Suspended

Dunc has been found guilty, & will be suspended for the first 3 games of the season. Fergie missing the 1st three games of the season. Nothing new there, then. (03/06/03)

FA Letter

Big Dunc has sent a letter to the FA giving his version of events. It will be midway through June before we know the outcome. (19/05/03)

Charged

As we all predicted Duncan has been charged with violent behaviour by the FA. Duncan has 14 days to request a personal hearing, if not he will get at least a 3 match ban.(09/05/03)

A Blue Video

It has been confirmed that the F.A will ask the video panel to look at the clash of Gudjonsson's head and Dunacan's elbow. If a or should I say when he is banned it will result in missing games from next season.

Bobby FA said:"We will be looking at it on video before deciding what action to take."(01/05/03)

A Big Influence

It was great to see Duncan back on the pitch playing like we know he can. He definitely played a massive part in the comeback against Villa and lets hope there is a lot more from him.

Alan Stubbs said:“We needed to put them under pressure and we knew that Duncan would do that. He won a lot of the balls up there, which created a lot of chances. His presence really unsettled the Villa defence.”(28/04/03)

Trouble Again?

Big Dunc may face FA punishment after being allegedly caught on camera elbowing Aston Villa's Joey Gudjonsson. Dunc who was on top form when he came on as sub, is no stranger to trouble, but Gudjonsson, was seen rolling around in agony at least five times, after being tackled in separate incidents, only to be up running around like a spring chicken seconds later. (28/04/03)

Dunc Makes A Difference!

The Big Yin was only on the pitch for 20 odd minutes, but made a great impact against Villa, winning some great headers, controlling the ball in an instant & laying the ball off to a team mate (something half the team can't do), & looking fit. Looking fit? Well it is early days. Let's not get carried away.
Stubbsey says: “Towards the end, we were more concerned with putting the ball in the box, rather than trying pretty build ups, which would have took time and maybe not get us anywhere. We needed to put them under pressure and we knew that Duncan would do that. He won a lot of the balls up there, which created a lot of chances. His presence really unsettled the Villa defence.” (27/04/03)

Game Off

A frozen pitch at Hyde Utd. has put paid to Dunc's big return. The reserve game against Man City will now be rescheduled. (18/02/03)

Comeback

Dunc's long awaited comeback game will be for the Reserves tomorrow, against Man City. The game is at Hyde Utd, Ewen Fields. Kick off 7.00pm. Hopefully this will be the start of the big man's recovery programme of a couple of Reserve games, before finally joining the 1st team squad. He is likely to partner a young lad called Wayne Rooney. (17/02/03)

Jailed

Bishop the chappie who tried to rob Duncan's house was jailed for 4 years today for trespassing with intent to steal.

Prosecutor Anthony Limont said:: "The incident happened very quickly and Mr Ferguson was very frightened. It being dark he had no way of knowing if this man was with others or if he was carrying a weapon."

Duncan had told police: "I ducked down and lashed out with my fist and struck him on the side of the face." (11/02/03)

Not Ready

Duncan is not ready to play just yet, he will miss this weeks reserve game.

Moyesy said: “Duncan is making slower progress than expected.He will not feature in the game on Thursday. He is finding that the training is making him stiff. It is just general stiffness and soreness from the training we are giving him to try and get him back into the condition we require him to be in.” (21/01/03)

No Charge

There will be no action taken against Duncan after he confronted Carl Bishop who was trying to rob his house last week.

The bizzies said: "Merseyside Police will not be taking action against Duncan Ferguson following the complaint of assault.We have made an informed decision not to proceed given the circumstances that he was faced with a man who was attempting to burgle his home. Mr Ferguson was in the security of his home with his wife and child when this happened. There is no evidence to suggest that he acted unreasonably."

Duncan's mate Kevin Dooley added: “Duncan would like to thank Everton Football Club and the people of Merseyside who supported him through this traumatic experience.”(17/01/03)

Full Weeks Training

Despite the incident at his home this week Duncan hasn't missed any training sessions this week. He just needs some match practice. He is penciled in for the reserve game next Thursday.

Moyesy said:"Duncan has no problem with his old back injury and we are just working to get him up to match pace now." (16/01/03)

Not Again

Carl Bishop last week decided try and nick some swag from Duncan's house in Formby and will be sentenced at Liverpool Crown Court next month. After admitting the offence he has now accused the big fella of assaulting him during the incident. Beyond belief.

Duncan's solicitor Kevin Dooley said:"The incident has caused much distress to Mr and Mrs Ferguson which has been aggravated by a complaint of assault by the burglar against Mr Ferguson which is vehemently denied." (15/01/03)

Dunc Ready To Join 1st Team Squad

Following surgery to free his trapped sciatic nerve, Big Dunc is ready to get back with the first team squad.

Moyesy says: “Duncan has been training well in the last three or four days. He is due to join in with the first team in the next few days and hopefully he will be back quite shortly. He has been out a long time now and he is going to need games and to regain his fitness and for Duncan that will be the most important thing.” (03/01/03)

Dunc Steps It Up

If I had a New Years wish it would big Dunc strutting his stuff in a blue shirt. His rehabilitation is going to be a slow one, but he is ready to push on.

Mick Rathbone said: "Duncan visited a specialist a few days ago and he was very happy with the progress he’s making. It is a long road, but he’s working well to get back to fitness. We’ll step up his rehabilitation in the next week or so.” (19/12/02)

Keep It Up Dunc

Everyone is pleased with the progress Duncan has made after his op. But no date can be given on his comeback.

Mick Rathbone said: “Duncan’s doing very well. He’s working hard and is doing some running, some ballwork, but what we’re wary of doing is putting a comeback date on him, because it’s been done so many times before and it puts him under a lot of pressure."

“The nerve had been squashed for a long time and it had been flattened. It will take a long time to fully recover, but he will be able to play as the nerve settles down.” Good Luck Duncan.(29/11/02)

Be Careful What You Say

Moyes is obviously a Big Dunc fan and he can't wait to get him back.

Moyesy said:" I won't have a bad word said about Duncan Ferguson. He did exceptionally well when I took over last season and he did a lot to keep the club in the Premiership. With a bit of luck, in a month or so he will back to the old Duncan. His operation went well and he is now doing a lot of swimming." (04/11/02)

Duncan In The Deep End

While all Evertonians have had a smirk on their kipper this week (mine won't go away) spare a thought for Duncan. He has started the long haul back to fitness with a few lengths of the swimming pool. Just let us all hope he can come back to full fitness and become the force he once was. Good Luck Big Fella.

David Moyes said “Duncan has now had his operation and he is now well into his rehabilitation.We are just making sure the wound is healing properly, which it is doing, making sure there is no infection. We are happy with the way things are going and he should start working in the swimming pool in the next day or two and that should see him on his way back to fitness".(24/10/02)

Operation Ferguson

Dunc had his back op yesterday. The quack freed his trapped sciatic nerve. Yes we've heard that before. But give 'Basil' his due. He has backed Dunc giving a little insight to the fans, that the big man is gutted with all these injury problems. Maybe if Dunc spoke to us once in a while, the fans wouldn't be so skeptical.
Mick 'Basil' Rathbone, the Toffees Head Physio says: “The operation was a success and hopefully that will be an end to the problem, but now there is a lot of work to do to get Duncan back to 100 per cent fitness.” (11/10/02)

Dunc To Have Operation

We now know the reason why Duncan isn't playing for the Reserves tonight. He is to have an operation to free a trapped nerve in his lower back. Mick Rathbone is hoping this will cure him once and for all. He will be out for up to six weeks.

Mick said: "He is having an exploratory operation to try and free up a nerve where we think the problem is coming from. I think it is worth making the point that he has been trying to play on in discomfort, he’s been giving it everything he’s got and it is fair to say he has been struggling.”

“He is a very tough guy with a very high pain threshold but there is only so much a guy can take. He has been in full training for the last couple of weeks though there is no doubt about it that he is in discomfort all the time.

“He is only 30 years of age and we want to give him every opportunity and if that means keeping him out for six weeks, then we have to because the most important thing from our point of view is to get him 100 per cent fit”.

Good Luck Duncan. (10/10/02)

Duncan Not Fit Again

Duncan has pulled out of tonight's Reserve game with an ankle injury. This is becoming a real sad and sorry state of affairs. We all want to see him back but every time he is close to a recall something else happens. When will it end? There was something in one of the Sundays that Moyesy and Dunc had words on the training ground, to which Moyesy denied. Smiling he said "Nothing could be further from the truth". It makes you wonder.

On the latest injury David Moyes said:" It's disappointing, because we were just getting him back fit again. He did well to get through the match and finish it last week and another day or so would probably seen him ok. But the problem now is that we don't have another Reserve game until Oct 10th"(24/09/02)

Big Dunc Plays The Full 90

We shouldn't get too excited but it was great to see Duncan play a full 90 minutes for the Reserves last night. It must have been a tremendous boost for himself especially after all the rumours and talk that he was finished. I just hope and prey he can prove us all wrong and play a part in the team that David Moyes is creating.

David Moyes is obviously playing his comeback down. He said:"I'm not even thinking about the first team for Duncan yet. We'll see how he is today.He needs fitness. He's not physically fit enough yet to start a Premiership game."(19/09/02)

The End?

The picture to the right is Everton Skipper, Duncan Ferguson IN THE NEW KIT. Problem is we may never see him playing for the Blues in it. The back problem he has had on & off for a couple of seasons is now recurring all the time. The medical staff have said they can give big Dunc another injection, which we have been reliably informed maybe a cortisone injection. These are notoriously dodgy, as they may cure the problem by nulling the pain for now, but can leave lasting damage. Dunc has told the doctor to shove his needle somewhere else. So he is doing some light training instead.

This by all accounts is his last throw of the dice. There seems little anyone can do for him.

Moyesy says: “It is still a concern. We did consider giving Duncan a second injection this week. He said no. He is going to get on with the training. A second injection would be as far as we could go with that injury and I don’t think there is any surgery for this injury either. It is frustrating. It has taken longer than we first thought and I couldn’t put a timescale on how long it will take. Duncan feels comfortable and has done some training in the last day or two but he is still lacking in fitness. He can train some days but not others. He will need to play some reserve games before we know if he is ready and we don’t have another one until next week.”

This sounds like Blair & Bush getting everyone ready for the time when we bomb Iraq. Namely Duncan Ferguson is finished. There have been rumours flying round for a while now, that the big man has seen the Chairman to discuss his future. It seems rather sad, that Dunc has played two 45 minutes in the 9 game friendly program we had. He is still to play in the league this season. If reports are to be believed that Ferguson, has been spotted more than once on the ale in various ale 'ouses on Merseyside. Maybe he has resigned himself to the end. We hope not. (11/09/02)

It is NOT the end

David Moyes has let us all know that Duncan's career is far from over. He said: "I don't see the problem as threatening his career at all.The injection he had is working but we've got to wait until he gets back training and playing for real before we can say for sure. The problem was a worry but it was nothing more than an injury we are looking to cure."

"Duncan has now started a bit of light training but he still needs to strengthen the top of his hamstrings. It's still early days but he's felt no reaction to the work he's put in. Hopefully it won't take him too long to get back and the training he did before the injection should help him in that respect.He looks in great shape. His body weight and body fat level are tremendous."(21/08/02)

Mixed Day For The Big Man

A bit of a mixed day for Dunc. Good news he will still be Captain, bad news he will miss the opening 3 games of the season. Moyesy says: "Duncan was captain when I came in but I don't see why it will change. Davie Weir will take over if he misses the start of the season."

"Duncan has had an injection and we feel we have hit the right spot but he will have to rest for a week to 10 days and then be involved in training and reserve team games before he comes back into first-team contention." (13/08/02)

Is This The End For Dunc?

Dunc has seen the specialists & it's not good. He won't be fit for the start of the season, & there are now doubts about his future. Moyesy says: " He will have a jab, & we will see how his back settles down". (05/08/02)

Not one but Two specialists

Duncan has such a big back that he needs 2 specialists.
Moyesy says: "Duncan is going to see a couple of specialists over his problem and hopefully they can get to the bottom of it and find out exactly what the problem is." (01/08/02)

'Borussia' expected to be fit for Big Kick Off

Big Dunc, now known as 'Borussia', as in Borussia Mucho-bad-back, is expected to make the start of the season despite only playing two 45 minute appearances (and one goal) in the pre-season tour so far. Whilst Moyesy has a concern, he expects Borussia Big Yin to be in the squad for Spurs on August 17th. Get yer act together big fella, the Duke is putting the pressure on.(30/07/02)

Big Dunc to see Specialist

Duncan Ferguson was left out of the game against Hibs last night, because of a bad back. This is the latest in a long line of injuries. It's a standing joke with the fans. There are a lot who bet on how many games the big man will miss in a season. Let's hope he can get fit. We all know that a fit up for it Ferguson is a great asset for the team. Sadly this is a thing of the past.

Moyesy says: “He’s been doing a lot of training, though obviously we would like to get him a bit more. We are going to have to see a specialist because he has started to miss a little bit too much which is beginning to concern me. He doesn’t feel he is quite at the level he wants to be at present. But we still have two-and-a-half weeks before the start of the season.” (30/07/02)