Historical cult hero: Everton – Duncan Ferguson
In Tim Cahill, Everton had a cult hero that would celebrate goals by punching the corner flag, but they also had another that hit hard enough to make an unmistakable impact at Goodison Park – Duncan Ferguson.
For most Evertonians, 6ft 4in Ferguson was a shining light in an otherwise dark era for the club, with Joe Royle describing the man mountain as: ‘the biggest thing since Dixie’, making a comparison to Goodison Park legend Dixie Dean.
‘Big Dunc’ first arrived on Merseyside in October 1994 on a short-term loan from Rangers, with the Toffees at a low ebb at the foot of the Premier League table.
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No stranger to trouble, the giant centre-forward was due in court, having been charged with assault for headbutting Raith Rovers player John McStay.
He was jailed for three months for that offence in September 1995, the fourth time he was convicted for assault, but by then, he was already established as a hero of the terraces.
The Scot became an instant hero on his sixth appearance for Everton when he scored a towering header to help them win the Merseyside derby in November 1994.
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The then 22-year-old became the toast of Goodison Park and his transfer was made permanent as he continued to score match-winning goals.
Ferguson helped Everton to their last major honour as he came off the bench in a 1-0 victory over Man Utd in the 1995 FA Cup final, which was decided by Paul Rideout’s winner.
With Everton in financial trouble in 1998, Ferguson was controversially sold to Newcastle United for £8m – the big man was so upset that he wrote a two-page letter to say goodbye to the club.
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He returned to Goodison within two years and ‘Duncan Disorderly’ often won games single-handedly, with memorable matches against Manchester United, Liverpool and Newcastle living long in the memory.
He capped his final Everton appearance with a goal against West Bromwich Albion in 2006 but as well as being a goalscorer, the Scot will be remembered as a ‘hard man’.
In 2001, two burglars broke into his home before being confronted by the Toffees hitman – He detained one until the police arrived and the thief subsequently spent three days in hospital.
