Welton Toffee
Player Valuation: £40m
Here's an abridged version of my English coursework from last year. Hope it's OK for a Dunc bio
Duncan Ferguson was born on December 27th 1971 in Stirling. He grew up playing football on the streets and for his school team at Bannockburn High School. His talent was soon recognised and he was signed by his local side before moving to Carse Thistle then Dundee United. He secured his first professional contract in 1990 and was soon playing first team football. In 1993 Fergie realised a childhood dream and signed for Rangers for a British record fee of £4m.
His Rangers career was short and far from sweet. After an altercation during and SPL game, Ferguson head butted Raith Rovers’ defender John McStay. No action was taken at the time but a Raith fan reported to the police that they had witnessed an assault. Duncan was duly charged and also handed a 12 match ban by the Scottish Football Association. The Scottish media were far from sympathetic and did almost everything possible to ruin Duncan’s life. He’d had enough and knew he had to get away. Rangers’ manager Walter Smith allowed him to join Everton on a 3 month loan deal.
He made an immediate impact on Merseyside. November 21st 1994 saw Ferguson line up in his first ever derby match against Liverpool. It was also Joe Royle’s first game in charge of Everton. Dunc proved himself straight away. In the second half Andy Hinchcliffe swung in a corner and Fergie rose above the Liverpool defence and nodded in a trade mark header. Ferguson became an instant legend as Everton beat their rivals 2-0. After continuing his goal scoring exploits and lifting Everton off the bottom of the Premiership, Evertonians were desperate for their new idol to stay. Similarly, Duncan was loving his loan spell. In December Joe Royle splashed out £4m and signed Ferguson from Rangers. He continued to enjoy impressive form although a suspension meant that Dunc missed Everton’s successful FA Cup semi-final against Spurs. After an injury Duncan proved his fitness just days before the final and was included as a substitute in Joe Royle’s squad at Wembley. He was brought on as a second half substitute and helped to guide Everton to their fifth FA Cup victory.
Five days after the Cup final Dunc found himself sitting in Glasgow Sheriff Court awaiting his punishment for the head butt incident. He was handed a three month jail sentence. The football world was stunned. Ferguson’s appeal was unsuccessful and on October 11th he received the devastating news. He was sent to jail. Evertonians sent thousands of letters to Dunc whilst he was in prison. In return he wrote an open letter to Evertonians thanking them for their support. He also promised to reply to every single letter personally. After his release Ferguson made himself unavailable for the Scotland national team. Although he didn’t say why, there is no doubt that he felt hurt by the S.F.A. betraying him. This was a decision that probably cost Duncan the chance of really developing into a world class player. However, he stuck to his principles and never played international football again, despite the efforts of many Scotland managers!
In late November 1998 Evertonians, Dunc and even the Everton manager Walter Smith were shocked to learn that Dunc had been sold to Newcastle for £7m.The Everton chairman went behind Smith’s back to do the deal . Nobody else at the club wanted it to happen, least of all Dunc. In an emotional farewell message he said “I will never, ever forget the Everton fans.”
By the end of August 2000 Dunc was back. After falling out of favour at Newcastle he was made aware of interest from Everton. Without a second thought he resigned for Everton for £3.75m. His second spell at the club was somewhat of a rollercoaster ride. He scored plenty of goals but Ferguson was frustrated by many persistent injuries keeping him out of the team for lengthy spells.
The 2004/2005 season was a successful one for Everton and Duncan. He was used mainly as a substitute and scored some vital goals. The defining moment of the season was the home game against Manchester United. Duncan gave a majestic performance to inspire the blues to victory. Just like he had done ten years earlier in the corresponding fixture, he headed in the only goal of the match. The goal was voted Everton’s goal of the season and the match will be remembered as his finest performance in a blue shirt. He received a standing ovation as he left the pitch and Evertonians remember this as their greatest game of the 21st century.
Ferguson’s last season for Everton was a frustrating one. Injury and suspension kept him out the team. He struggled with form and fitness but did manage to end on a high against West Brom, scoring a last minute equaliser. Dunc released his second farewell message to the Everton fans. “I would like to think that the passion I have for Everton is equal to that of all the magnificent fans.”
Duncan Ferguson was born on December 27th 1971 in Stirling. He grew up playing football on the streets and for his school team at Bannockburn High School. His talent was soon recognised and he was signed by his local side before moving to Carse Thistle then Dundee United. He secured his first professional contract in 1990 and was soon playing first team football. In 1993 Fergie realised a childhood dream and signed for Rangers for a British record fee of £4m.
His Rangers career was short and far from sweet. After an altercation during and SPL game, Ferguson head butted Raith Rovers’ defender John McStay. No action was taken at the time but a Raith fan reported to the police that they had witnessed an assault. Duncan was duly charged and also handed a 12 match ban by the Scottish Football Association. The Scottish media were far from sympathetic and did almost everything possible to ruin Duncan’s life. He’d had enough and knew he had to get away. Rangers’ manager Walter Smith allowed him to join Everton on a 3 month loan deal.
He made an immediate impact on Merseyside. November 21st 1994 saw Ferguson line up in his first ever derby match against Liverpool. It was also Joe Royle’s first game in charge of Everton. Dunc proved himself straight away. In the second half Andy Hinchcliffe swung in a corner and Fergie rose above the Liverpool defence and nodded in a trade mark header. Ferguson became an instant legend as Everton beat their rivals 2-0. After continuing his goal scoring exploits and lifting Everton off the bottom of the Premiership, Evertonians were desperate for their new idol to stay. Similarly, Duncan was loving his loan spell. In December Joe Royle splashed out £4m and signed Ferguson from Rangers. He continued to enjoy impressive form although a suspension meant that Dunc missed Everton’s successful FA Cup semi-final against Spurs. After an injury Duncan proved his fitness just days before the final and was included as a substitute in Joe Royle’s squad at Wembley. He was brought on as a second half substitute and helped to guide Everton to their fifth FA Cup victory.
Five days after the Cup final Dunc found himself sitting in Glasgow Sheriff Court awaiting his punishment for the head butt incident. He was handed a three month jail sentence. The football world was stunned. Ferguson’s appeal was unsuccessful and on October 11th he received the devastating news. He was sent to jail. Evertonians sent thousands of letters to Dunc whilst he was in prison. In return he wrote an open letter to Evertonians thanking them for their support. He also promised to reply to every single letter personally. After his release Ferguson made himself unavailable for the Scotland national team. Although he didn’t say why, there is no doubt that he felt hurt by the S.F.A. betraying him. This was a decision that probably cost Duncan the chance of really developing into a world class player. However, he stuck to his principles and never played international football again, despite the efforts of many Scotland managers!
In late November 1998 Evertonians, Dunc and even the Everton manager Walter Smith were shocked to learn that Dunc had been sold to Newcastle for £7m.The Everton chairman went behind Smith’s back to do the deal . Nobody else at the club wanted it to happen, least of all Dunc. In an emotional farewell message he said “I will never, ever forget the Everton fans.”
By the end of August 2000 Dunc was back. After falling out of favour at Newcastle he was made aware of interest from Everton. Without a second thought he resigned for Everton for £3.75m. His second spell at the club was somewhat of a rollercoaster ride. He scored plenty of goals but Ferguson was frustrated by many persistent injuries keeping him out of the team for lengthy spells.
The 2004/2005 season was a successful one for Everton and Duncan. He was used mainly as a substitute and scored some vital goals. The defining moment of the season was the home game against Manchester United. Duncan gave a majestic performance to inspire the blues to victory. Just like he had done ten years earlier in the corresponding fixture, he headed in the only goal of the match. The goal was voted Everton’s goal of the season and the match will be remembered as his finest performance in a blue shirt. He received a standing ovation as he left the pitch and Evertonians remember this as their greatest game of the 21st century.
Ferguson’s last season for Everton was a frustrating one. Injury and suspension kept him out the team. He struggled with form and fitness but did manage to end on a high against West Brom, scoring a last minute equaliser. Dunc released his second farewell message to the Everton fans. “I would like to think that the passion I have for Everton is equal to that of all the magnificent fans.”