Duncan Ferguson

Verified Timeline

Lore & Background

Ferguson's first spell at Everton began in October 1994 when he joined on loan from Rangers, with the move made permanent by Joe Royle. He played a key role in saving Everton from relegation and helped them win the 1994–95 FA Cup. The 1995–96 season was less successful due to a persistent hernia problem and a three-month prison sentence for an on-field assault. On 28 December 1997, Ferguson scored a hat-trick of headers against Bolton Wanderers in a 3–2 victory, the first time a trio of headers had been scored in the Premier League. Everton finished that season surviving relegation only on goal difference. He was sold to Newcastle United for £8 million in November 1998, a deal done by chairman Peter Johnson without the knowledge of manager Walter Smith. Ferguson wrote a two-page goodbye letter in the club magazine, expressing his sadness at leaving.

In Their Own Story

Ferguson returned to Everton on 17 August 2000 for a fee of £3.75 million. Two days after signing, he played his first game in a 2–0 loss at Leeds United. On 23 August, on his return to Goodison Park, he scored twice in a 3–0 win over Charlton Athletic after coming on as a substitute. Despite recurrent injury problems requiring surgery, he managed six goals in 13 appearances that season to help Everton avoid relegation. His crucial goals included an equaliser against Manchester City on 8 April, a strike in a 2–3 Merseyside derby defeat to Liverpool on 16 April, and a goal just 47 seconds into the second half against Bradford City on 28 April to secure Premier League survival. The 2001–02 season began promisingly with Ferguson scoring from the penalty spot in Everton's opening match away to Charlton Athletic on 18 August, and another penalty in a 1–1 draw against Tottenham Hotspur three days later.

Reader's Guide

Duncan Ferguson's time at Everton is defined by two key periods: his initial arrival in 1994 and his return in 2000. During his first spell, he was instrumental in the 1995 FA Cup win and scored a historic hat-trick of headers against Bolton in 1997. His second spell saw him score vital goals in relegation battles, including strikes against Leeds, Manchester City, Liverpool, and Bradford. Ferguson played under managers including Joe Royle, Walter Smith, and David Moyes. His relationship with Smith was strained by chairman Peter Johnson's decision to sell Ferguson to Newcastle in 1998 without Smith's knowledge. Ferguson's aggressive style resulted in eight red cards in the English Premier League, where he holds the record for dismissals with Patrick Vieira and Richard Dunne. He is known by the nicknames "Big Dunc" and "Duncan Disorderly".

Did You Know?

• Ferguson scored a hat-trick of headers against Bolton Wanderers on 28 December 1997, the first time a trio of headers had been scored in the Premier League.
• He is tied with Patrick Vieira and Richard Dunne for the most red cards in the English Premier League, each with eight.
• Ferguson received a three-month prison sentence in October 1995 for headbutting Raith Rovers' John McStay in April 1994.
• Despite his reputation, Ferguson is not the top Scottish goalscorer in Premier League history—that honor belongs to Steven Fletcher.
• Ferguson made himself unavailable for Scotland selection from 1997 due to a dispute with the Scottish Football Association.