Duncan Ferguson
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Duncan Ferguson (born December 27, 1971) in Stirling, Scotland. He is a Scottish football player, currently playing for English Premier League side Everton F.C..
He began his career with Dundee United F.C. before moving to Rangers F.C. in a then record deal for £4 million. Unfortunately he never quite made the mark at Rangers and was loaned out to struggling premiership side Everton where again he struggled to make a mark, until the merseyside derby arrived where Liverpool F.C. who were clear favourites at the time provided the opposition. Ferguson scored his first goal for the club and Everton eventually won the match 2-0. He then went on to become a fans favourite to the blue half of merseyside and helped the toffees to win the FA Cup in 1995 against Man Utd 1-0.
In 1998, after and impressive 1997-98 season as captain for Everton he was sold to Newcastle United F.C. for £7m by the then Everton chairman Peter Johnson, without the manager, Walter Smith's permission. In 2000, after an injury-hit two years at Newcastle, he returned to Everton for a £3.75m fee, much to the joy of Everton supporters who regarded Ferguson as their talisman. He immediately found form, scoring a brace against Charlton on his home debut.
Ferguson, at his peak was a inspirational fearless striker with supreme aerial power and courage, he was never a proliffic goalscorer, more a target man with great stamina and a eye for goals in big games. Unfortunately for Ferguson, his career has been blighted by injuries and suspensions, that have prevented him from perhaps, the very peak of his potential.
He played only 7 times for Scotland. He was sentenced to prison after a vicious head-butt on Jock McStay during a game playing for Rangers F.C.. After his court case the Scottish Football Association handed him a 12 match ban, this infuriated Ferguson and he refused to play for Scotland again, winning his last cap in 1997.
In early 2003, Ferguson's home was burgled by a drug addict during the night, however the burglar made a big mistake and came away heavily bruised after Ferguson punched him and grappled him to the floor until the police arrived. It was the second time this had happened as two years previously, two men, were disturbed by Ferguson as they broke into his then home in Rufford in west Lancashire. One of them escaped but the other was restrained by Ferguson until the police arrived.
In 2005, Ferguson scored the winning goal, a trademark bullet header, against Manchester United to give Everton their first win against United in over a decade. The last time Everton defeated United in 1995, Ferguson also scored the winner.
Ferguson was due to leave Everton this summer but after an excellent end to the 2004-05 season he was offered a new contract, albeit on severely reduced personal terms which Ferguson accepted.