Former Everton Centre Forward Duncan Ferguson steps into management.....

The Penalty Box Dancer said:
DUNCAN FERGUSON INTERVIEW

When you walk into Mill Farm, it meets you with an air of success and determination. This club has rose through the ranks marvellously and the walls are decorated as such displaying all the glory. The last time I was here I sat down with Kevin Ward and discussed the future of the club. Today I am sitting down with the manager and the man responsible for this success. The players were back from pre-season and Duncan was sharing a joke with Nick Haycock, his Assistant Manager and the Director of Football Geoff Harrop who doesn't seem to have much involvement with the first team. I spoke to Geoff and he informed me he focuses on youth and handling the contracts of the players in the U23 and U18 teams. Duncan was pleased to see and explained what was happening on the first day back. We eventually sat down in his office, Duncan in his tracksuit sat back in his chair and you could feel yourself consumed by his presence instantly.

"Duncan, thank you for taking the time out to talk to me as a representative of the club. I'd like to start by discussing last season and where you think it went wrong."

DF: We slipped in December and January, Sam Gibson done his back and Kenny McPherson stepped up and he done tremendous considering his lack of experience. We did pick ourselves back up again and managed to finish the season in 5th but it was a difficult couple of months.

"The F.A Cup run was special! I'm still on a high from it all!"

DF: Aye so am I! It was an incredible run from start to finish. Beating Palace at their place and then Arsenal at Mill Farm was special. We had some extraordinary games, getting to Wembley against Spurs and holding them at 1-0 for most of the match was really a good performance for us. I doubt we'll get that far this season!

"It would be something if we went that one step further! What are the aims for this season and what do you think about being linked with some higher managerial positions?"

DF: First of all, let's just rubbish these reports and put it down as nonsense! It's nice to hear your name mentioned around clubs with more prestige but I'm born to be Fylde! This club is special, I'm going to take this club further regardless of how long it takes."

"What about this season?"

DF: I think we are going to be a harder team to beat this season. I can't confirm too much yet but I'm in talks with agents about players coming here and I think you're gonna be pleased.

"What players are you expecting to kick on this season?"

DF: You already look at the quality in Hendo and Vinnie Bytheway, Hendo is 31/32 now but the man just keeps getting better. He takes care of himself and is in great shape, he's still got years left in him. John Jones is going to be a player to watch this coming season and then we have young Kenny McPherson who just wants to play football.

"What about Henderson playing as a striker?"

DF: Hendo's game consists of getting the ball deep and running at players, he will get his shot off as soon as it opens up for him so to play him as a striker wouldn't work for us.

"Jimmy Dube has made progress since he joined the club from Birmingham"

DF: His game has come on especially his shot stopping and composure, when we brought Andy Quy to the club he got to work with Jimmy and they've got a fantastic understanding. I think Jimmy is going to have a great season.

"The favourites for this year's title is Cardiff City, how do you think they'll get on?"

DF: It was one of the biggest shocks in football last season as they were tipped to go up! They've got a great team and I think if they keep their main players they'll be going back up, no question. They have the funds to compete.

"What are the funds like at Fylde?"

DF: This season we have cash and a decent transfer budget, I'm not just gonna spend the money for the sake of spending the money. We'll be strengthening in the right areas and making sure we bring players here who want to fight for this club.

"One last question, if you could have any player back at the club from the past, who would it be?"

DF: Easy! There's only one, Danny Rowe! I've never seen a Centre Forward like him, give him the ball in the 18 yard box and it was only going one way.




​
Click to expand...
Awful chipper for a man who saw his team bottle it last season.

Nice to see Rowe get a mention.
 

The Penalty Box Dancer said:
DUNCAN FERGUSON INTERVIEW

When you walk into Mill Farm, it meets you with an air of success and determination. This club has rose through the ranks marvellously and the walls are decorated as such displaying all the glory. The last time I was here I sat down with Kevin Ward and discussed the future of the club. Today I am sitting down with the manager and the man responsible for this success. The players were back from pre-season and Duncan was sharing a joke with Nick Haycock, his Assistant Manager and the Director of Football Geoff Harrop who doesn't seem to have much involvement with the first team. I spoke to Geoff and he informed me he focuses on youth and handling the contracts of the players in the U23 and U18 teams. Duncan was pleased to see and explained what was happening on the first day back. We eventually sat down in his office, Duncan in his tracksuit sat back in his chair and you could feel yourself consumed by his presence instantly.

"Duncan, thank you for taking the time out to talk to me as a representative of the club. I'd like to start by discussing last season and where you think it went wrong."

DF: We slipped in December and January, Sam Gibson done his back and Kenny McPherson stepped up and he done tremendous considering his lack of experience. We did pick ourselves back up again and managed to finish the season in 5th but it was a difficult couple of months.

"The F.A Cup run was special! I'm still on a high from it all!"

DF: Aye so am I! It was an incredible run from start to finish. Beating Palace at their place and then Arsenal at Mill Farm was special. We had some extraordinary games, getting to Wembley against Spurs and holding them at 1-0 for most of the match was really a good performance for us. I doubt we'll get that far this season!

"It would be something if we went that one step further! What are the aims for this season and what do you think about being linked with some higher managerial positions?"

DF: First of all, let's just rubbish these reports and put it down as nonsense! It's nice to hear your name mentioned around clubs with more prestige but I'm born to be Fylde! This club is special, I'm going to take this club further regardless of how long it takes."

"What about this season?"

DF: I think we are going to be a harder team to beat this season. I can't confirm too much yet but I'm in talks with agents about players coming here and I think you're gonna be pleased.

"What players are you expecting to kick on this season?"

DF: You already look at the quality in Hendo and Vinnie Bytheway, Hendo is 31/32 now but the man just keeps getting better. He takes care of himself and is in great shape, he's still got years left in him. John Jones is going to be a player to watch this coming season and then we have young Kenny McPherson who just wants to play football.

"What about Henderson playing as a striker?"

DF: Hendo's game consists of getting the ball deep and running at players, he will get his shot off as soon as it opens up for him so to play him as a striker wouldn't work for us.

"Jimmy Dube has made progress since he joined the club from Birmingham"

DF: His game has come on especially his shot stopping and composure, when we brought Andy Quy to the club he got to work with Jimmy and they've got a fantastic understanding. I think Jimmy is going to have a great season.

"The favourites for this year's title is Cardiff City, how do you think they'll get on?"

DF: It was one of the biggest shocks in football last season as they were tipped to go up! They've got a great team and I think if they keep their main players they'll be going back up, no question. They have the funds to compete.

"What are the funds like at Fylde?"

DF: This season we have cash and a decent transfer budget, I'm not just gonna spend the money for the sake of spending the money. We'll be strengthening in the right areas and making sure we bring players here who want to fight for this club.

"One last question, if you could have any player back at the club from the past, who would it be?"

DF: Easy! There's only one, Danny Rowe! I've never seen a Centre Forward like him, give him the ball in the 18 yard box and it was only going one way.




​
Click to expand...

Sounds like we are gonna splash the cash, could be the greatest season we've had since the last great season we had which I think everyone would agree was a great season.

No more play offs though, automatic promotion and we need to just give the lads the whole of December off cos they're crap anyway that time of year.
 

The Penalty Box Dancer said:
PRE-SEASON RESULTS

View attachment 138507​
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Billericay always tricky place to visit, plus they'll be a couple of weeks ahead of us in preparations. All the other games pretty much as expected from a team that's a bit rusty trying to go through the gears before the season starts.

Need a couple of players in. Hopefully Ward will release the purse strings rather than snort the FA Cup run money up his nose if you know what I mean.
 
TRANSFERS

PLAYERS IN

Players in.webp​

Patrick Uttridge has signed a permanent deal with Fylde after a successful loan spell last season from Derby County, with 12 months to go on his contract Ferguson made Derby an offer which they accepted and the 23 year old midfielder is now a permanent member of the squad. "It was a no brainer, Uttridge was incredible potential and has great leadership qualities. He was a top player last season and puts in a lot of work, you know you're in a game when he's playing and he dictates the tempo for us."

Sam Gibson signed a permanent deal with Fylde this summer also. The 23 year old defender spent two seasons on loan at Fylde and at a minimal transfer fee, it was fantastic business.

Richard Moore came through the Man Utd youth team but with news emerging he would be let go, Geoff Harrop mentioned to Duncan Ferguson just how good this lad can be and the 18 year old midfielder joins on a 1 year deal. Moore plays similar to Uttridge and can also operate as a Defensive Midfielder which is something Ferguson was looking for. "Richard is another player who demonstrates great leadership, he's 18 and will feature in the first team this season and if he does well enough he could dislodge one of the more senior players."

Michael Tate joins Fylde on a free transfer. The Striker who can also operate on the left and right wing was released by Aldershot this summer after making 26 appearances and scoring 2 goals in League One. At 23 he is still young and it seems Ferguson is looking to give the player a loan spell this season to get more first team experience.

Russell Carey was signed on a free transfer after leaving Aston Villa. The 23 year old striker spent last season playing for Sheffield Wednesday in The Championship scoring 4 goals in 10 appearances. He has impressed on all his loan spells and now has the chance to make a name for himself in League One under Duncan Ferguson.

Colm Goode is a striker who joins on loan from Tottenham Hotspur. The 18 year old netted 12 goals for Crawley Town last season and was awarded their player of the season. "Colm offers another dimension and likes to get the ball down and run at players. He has a great conversion rate and can see him fitting in well at the club."

Darren Morris joins Fylde on a free transfer after being released by Newcastle. The 22 year old right winger has League Two experience turning out for Walsall 41 times last season. The winger will be an understudy to Vince Bytheway.

Ellis McKimm-Forster has seen his loan stay extended at the club for another season.

Many fans are bemused as to why Ferguson has brought in three strikers this window. With talk of Michael Tate going out on loan this season, how would Ferguson manage to accommodate Tyrone O'Neill and Jack Quinn? We have seen some below average performances from Quinn and O'Neill last season and it maybe the shake up Fylde need. It may also ask the question whether Ferguson will change tactic and go with two strikers on the pitch.

PLAYERS OUT

Brett McGavin has left the club after his contract was not renewed. The midfielder made 275 appearances for Fylde scoring 17 goals and getting 20 assists. The midfielder joined Fylde in 2022/23 when the club was promoted to League Two but came straight back down. The 32 year old midfielder felt it was the right time to move on and does so with his manager's blessing. Despite being a Liverpool supporter, McGavin holds Ferguson as a very important figure in his life and states he owes him his life for the career he gave him at Fylde.

Players out.webp
 
Nice to see the cameras down at the farm to see us turn over Spurs, obviously expected the upset.

Just a shame we couldn’t do it in the cup last year, 3-0 definitely flattered them.

The Penalty Box Dancer said:
When you walk into Mill Farm, it meets you with an air of success and determination.
Click to expand...

Not Dunc that’s the air of stale Guinness and swan pasties.
 

The Penalty Box Dancer said:
TRANSFERS

PLAYERS IN

View attachment 138508​

Patrick Uttridge has signed a permanent deal with Fylde after a successful loan spell last season from Derby County, with 12 months to go on his contract Ferguson made Derby an offer which they accepted and the 23 year old midfielder is now a permanent member of the squad. "It was a no brainer, Uttridge was incredible potential and has great leadership qualities. He was a top player last season and puts in a lot of work, you know you're in a game when he's playing and he dictates the tempo for us."

Sam Gibson signed a permanent deal with Fylde this summer also. The 23 year old defender spent two seasons on loan at Fylde and at a minimal transfer fee, it was fantastic business.

Richard Moore came through the Man Utd youth team but with news emerging he would be let go, Geoff Harrop mentioned to Duncan Ferguson just how good this lad can be and the 18 year old midfielder joins on a 1 year deal. Moore plays similar to Uttridge and can also operate as a Defensive Midfielder which is something Ferguson was looking for. "Richard is another player who demonstrates great leadership, he's 18 and will feature in the first team this season and if he does well enough he could dislodge one of the more senior players."

Michael Tate joins Fylde on a free transfer. The Striker who can also operate on the left and right wing was released by Aldershot this summer after making 26 appearances and scoring 2 goals in League One. At 23 he is still young and it seems Ferguson is looking to give the player a loan spell this season to get more first team experience.

Russell Carey was signed on a free transfer after leaving Aston Villa. The 23 year old striker spent last season playing for Sheffield Wednesday in The Championship scoring 4 goals in 10 appearances. He has impressed on all his loan spells and now has the chance to make a name for himself in League One under Duncan Ferguson.

Colm Goode is a striker who joins on loan from Tottenham Hotspur. The 18 year old netted 12 goals for Crawley Town last season and was awarded their player of the season. "Colm offers another dimension and likes to get the ball down and run at players. He has a great conversion rate and can see him fitting in well at the club."

Darren Morris joins Fylde on a free transfer after being released by Newcastle. The 22 year old right winger has League Two experience turning out for Walsall 41 times last season. The winger will be an understudy to Vince Bytheway.

Ellis McKimm-Forster has seen his loan stay extended at the club for another season.

Many fans are bemused as to why Ferguson has brought in three strikers this window. With talk of Michael Tate going out on loan this season, how would Ferguson manage to accommodate Tyrone O'Neill and Jack Quinn? We have seen some below average performances from Quinn and O'Neill last season and it maybe the shake up Fylde need. It may also ask the question whether Ferguson will change tactic and go with two strikers on the pitch.

PLAYERS OUT

Brett McGavin has left the club after his contract was not renewed. The midfielder made 275 appearances for Fylde scoring 17 goals and getting 20 assists. The midfielder joined Fylde in 2022/23 when the club was promoted to League Two but came straight back down. The 32 year old midfielder felt it was the right time to move on and does so with his manager's blessing. Despite being a Liverpool supporter, McGavin holds Ferguson as a very important figure in his life and states he owes him his life for the career he gave him at Fylde.

View attachment 138512
Click to expand...
Sad to see Brett go. We won't see the likes of him again. A real gentleman of the game.
 

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