Derek Ferguson
Encyclopedia
Derek Ferguson is a Scottish football manager and former player.
A creative midfielder, he is best remembered for his time with Rangers
and Heart of Midlothian
and made two appearances for the Scottish national side
. He is the elder brother of current Birmingham City
midfielder Barry Ferguson
. His autobiography, Big Brother, written with Bill Leckie
, was published in 2006.
's testimonial match in 1983, aged only 15. He made his competitive debut in the 1983-84 season
and within a year became a first team regular at Ibrox
.
However, over the next couple of seasons Ferguson gradually fell out of favour at Rangers, a tempestuous relationship with manager Graeme Souness
preventing him from developing as expected. In 1989-90
he was loaned to Dundee
and it became clear his future was not to be at Ibrox.
spent a then club record £750,000 to take Ferguson to Tynecastle
, where he became a mainstay in the Hearts team over the next three seasons. His good performances earned him a move to Sunderland
, with manager Terry Butcher
signing him in a part-exchange deal which saw John Colquhoun
return to Hearts.
paid Sunderland £250,000 for his services in 1995. He spent three years with the Bairns before spending a single season (1998-99
) with Dunfermline Athletic
and a month with Partick Thistle
.
Ferguson next had a short spell in Australian soccer with Adelaide Force
before returning to Scotland to play for a succession of lower league clubs, namely Ross County
, Clydebank
, Alloa Athletic
, Hamilton Academical
and most recently Raith Rovers
.
Ferguson also had a short spell in the 1999-00 season with Portadown FC in the Irish League. He played six games and scored one goal.
and Colombia
.
before becoming Stranraer's assistant manager as part of a new management team at Stair Park with Gerry Britton
. When Britton left his post as manager for the vacant assistant manager role at Partick Thistle, Ferguson was put in place as caretaker manager before being handed a contract as manager until the end of the 2008–09 season. Although having a bright start as manager, relations between the club and Ferguson had become strained due to Stranraer's financial difficulties and the club's on-field performances, which led to him leaving the club after an 8–2 home defeat to Stirling Albion
. After leaving Stranraer he had a short spell as manager of junior outfit Glenafton Athletic
. On 28 October 2010, Ferguson was named as assistant manager of Dumbarton FC. However it was announced on 3 November 2010 that he will be unable to fill that role due to media commitments.
:
A creative midfielder, he is best remembered for his time with Rangers
Rangers F.C.
Rangers Football Club are an association football club based in Glasgow, Scotland, who play in the Scottish Premier League. The club are nicknamed the Gers, Teddy Bears and the Light Blues, and the fans are known to each other as bluenoses...
and Heart of Midlothian
Heart of Midlothian F.C.
Heart of Midlothian Football Club are a Scottish professional football club based in Gorgie, in the west of Edinburgh. They currently play in the Scottish Premier League and are one of the two principal clubs in the city, the other being Hibernian...
and made two appearances for the Scottish national side
Scotland national football team
The Scotland national football team represents Scotland in international football and is controlled by the Scottish Football Association. Scotland are the joint oldest national football team in the world, alongside England, whom they played in the world's first international football match in 1872...
. He is the elder brother of current Birmingham City
Birmingham City F.C.
Birmingham City Football Club is a professional association football club based in the city of Birmingham, England. Formed in 1875 as Small Heath Alliance, they became Small Heath in 1888, then Birmingham in 1905, finally becoming Birmingham City in 1943.They were relegated at the end of the...
midfielder Barry Ferguson
Barry Ferguson
Barry Ferguson MBE is a Scottish footballer who plays as a midfielder for Blackpool.Ferguson has made 82 appearances in European competitions, all for Rangers, which makes him the record European appearance holder at the club. He was also inducted into the Rangers F.C. Hall of Fame...
. His autobiography, Big Brother, written with Bill Leckie
Bill Leckie
Bill Leckie is a Scottish Sports journalist and broadcaster who currently writes for the Scottish edition of The Sun newspaper.Leckie also does commentary on Scottish Football League matches for BBC Radio Scotland and makes regular contributions on Talksport and BBC Radio 5 Live.-External links:*...
, was published in 2006.
Rangers
Ferguson joined his first senior club, Rangers, from Gartcosh United (Gartcosh United) in 1982. He enjoyed an early experience of first-team involvement when picked to play in Tom ForsythTom Forsyth
Thomas "Tom" Forsyth is a former Scottish assocation footballer and manager who played for Motherwell and Rangers. He was born in Paisley, Scotland and moved to Stonehouse, Lanarkshire when he was 6 months old and still lives to this day.-Club:Forsyth started his career at Motherwell before being...
's testimonial match in 1983, aged only 15. He made his competitive debut in the 1983-84 season
1983-84 in Scottish football
The 1983–84 season was the 87th season of competitive football in Scotland.-Scottish Premier Division:Champions: AberdeenRelegated: St...
and within a year became a first team regular at Ibrox
Ibrox Stadium
Ibrox Stadium is a football stadium located on the south side of the River Clyde, on Edmiston Drive in the Ibrox district of Glasgow. It is the home ground of Scottish Premier League club Rangers and has an all-seated capacity of 51,082...
.
However, over the next couple of seasons Ferguson gradually fell out of favour at Rangers, a tempestuous relationship with manager Graeme Souness
Graeme Souness
Graeme James Souness is a Scottish former professional football player and manager.Souness was the captain of the successful Liverpool team of the early 1980s and player-manager of Rangers in the late 1980s as well as captain of the Scottish national team. He also played for Tottenham Hotspur,...
preventing him from developing as expected. In 1989-90
1989-90 in Scottish football
The 1989–90 season was the 93rd season of competitive football in Scotland.-Notable events:Rangers won their third league title in four seasons under the management of Graeme Souness....
he was loaned to Dundee
Dundee F.C.
Dundee Football Club, founded in 1893, are a football club based in the city of Dundee, Scotland. They are nicknamed The Dee or The Dark Blues and play their home matches at Dens Park. Their shirt colour is dark blue. Dundee currently play in the Scottish First Division, having been relegated from...
and it became clear his future was not to be at Ibrox.
Heart of Midlothian
In August 1990, Heart of MidlothianHeart of Midlothian F.C.
Heart of Midlothian Football Club are a Scottish professional football club based in Gorgie, in the west of Edinburgh. They currently play in the Scottish Premier League and are one of the two principal clubs in the city, the other being Hibernian...
spent a then club record £750,000 to take Ferguson to Tynecastle
Tynecastle Stadium
Tynecastle Stadium is a football stadium situated in the Gorgie area of Edinburgh, Scotland, which is the home ground of Scottish Premier League club Hearts. Tynecastle has a seating capacity of 17,420, which makes it the seventh largest football stadium in Scotland...
, where he became a mainstay in the Hearts team over the next three seasons. His good performances earned him a move to Sunderland
Sunderland A.F.C.
Sunderland Association Football Club is an English association football club based in Sunderland, Tyne and Wear who currently play in the Premier League...
, with manager Terry Butcher
Terry Butcher
Terence Ian "Terry" Butcher is an English football manager and former player. He was a highly successful football player and made his name as an uncompromising defender with Ipswich Town and Rangers in the 1980s. He was also a captain of England and won 77 caps in a ten-year international career...
signing him in a part-exchange deal which saw John Colquhoun
John Mark Colquhoun
John Mark Colquhoun is a Scottish footballer who played for Stirling Albion, Celtic, Hearts, Sunderland, Millwall and St. Johnstone.-Playing history:...
return to Hearts.
Later playing career
After two seasons on Wearside, Ferguson moved back to Scotland when FalkirkFalkirk F.C.
Falkirk Football Club is a Scottish professional football club based in Falkirk. It is one of two professional football teams from the town, the other being East Stirlingshire...
paid Sunderland £250,000 for his services in 1995. He spent three years with the Bairns before spending a single season (1998-99
1998-99 in Scottish football
The 1998–99 season was the 102nd season of Scottish league football.-Summary:The 1998–99 SPL season was one that ended in success for Rangers. Dutchman Dick Advocaat was brought in to replace Walter Smith at Rangers and made major changes, bringing in many players.Rangers were...
) with Dunfermline Athletic
Dunfermline Athletic F.C.
Dunfermline Athletic Football Club are a Scottish football team based in Dunfermline, Fife, commonly known as just Dunfermline. They currently compete in the Scottish Premier League....
and a month with Partick Thistle
Partick Thistle F.C.
Partick Thistle Football Club are a professional association football club from Glasgow. Despite their name, the club are based in the Maryhill area of the city, and have not played in Partick since 1908...
.
Ferguson next had a short spell in Australian soccer with Adelaide Force
Adelaide City
Adelaide City is a football club in Adelaide, South Australia. They are also known as The Zebras. They played in the National Soccer League for 27 Seasons but withdrew just prior to the 2003/2004 season. They now play in the South Australian Super League. City won the inaugural Super League...
before returning to Scotland to play for a succession of lower league clubs, namely Ross County
Ross County F.C.
Ross County Football Club are a Scottish professional football team from the town of Dingwall, Ross and Cromarty. Founded in 1929 they currently compete in the Scottish Football League First Division and play their home matches at Victoria Park. Prior to the 1994–95 season they played in the...
, Clydebank
Clydebank F.C.
Clydebank Football Club are a Scottish football club based in the town of Clydebank, West Dunbartonshire, near Yoker. The present club, formed in 2003, is a member of the Scottish Junior Football Association, and currently plays in West Super League Premier Division...
, Alloa Athletic
Alloa Athletic F.C.
Alloa Athletic Football Club are a Scottish football team based in Alloa, Clackmannanshire. They are members of the Scottish Football League and currently play in the Third Division....
, Hamilton Academical
Hamilton Academical F.C.
Hamilton Academical Football Club, often known as Hamilton Academical, or Accies, are a Scottish football club from Hamilton in South Lanarkshire. They were established in 1874 from the school football team at Hamilton Academy. They remain the only professional club in British football to have...
and most recently Raith Rovers
Raith Rovers F.C.
Raith Rovers Football Club is a Scottish professional football club based in Kirkcaldy, Fife. They are members of the Scottish Football League, currently playing in the First Division, having secured promotion from the Second Division as champions in 2009. Rovers have won one national trophy, the...
.
Ferguson also had a short spell in the 1999-00 season with Portadown FC in the Irish League. He played six games and scored one goal.
International career
His early performances and potential ensured he was fast-tracked into the Scottish International squad and in the summer of 1988, aged only 20, he gained his ony two caps against MaltaMalta national football team
The Malta national football team is the national football team of Malta and is controlled by the Malta Football Association. Malta played its first international game in February 1957, and began competing for qualification to major tournaments in 1962. The side's first competitive victory came in...
and Colombia
Colombia national football team
The Colombian national football team represents Colombia in international football competitions and is controlled by the Colombian Football Federation. It is a member of the CONMEBOL...
.
Managerial career
While at Clydebank he was briefly appointed player-manager, while he has also served as a coach at Albion RoversAlbion Rovers F.C. (Scotland)
Albion Rovers Football Club are a Scottish football team from the North Lanarkshire town of Coatbridge, who are currently playing in the Scottish Football League Second Division...
before becoming Stranraer's assistant manager as part of a new management team at Stair Park with Gerry Britton
Gerry Britton
Gerard Joseph "Gerry" Britton is a Scottish former footballer who played as a striker. His most recent role in football was as assistant manager to Ian McCall at Partick Thistle.-Career:...
. When Britton left his post as manager for the vacant assistant manager role at Partick Thistle, Ferguson was put in place as caretaker manager before being handed a contract as manager until the end of the 2008–09 season. Although having a bright start as manager, relations between the club and Ferguson had become strained due to Stranraer's financial difficulties and the club's on-field performances, which led to him leaving the club after an 8–2 home defeat to Stirling Albion
Stirling Albion F.C.
Stirling Albion F.C. are a Scottish football club currently playing in the Scottish Second Division. The club are nicknamed The Binos . They play at Doubletree Dunblane Stadium in Stirling, on the outskirts of the city near the River Forth...
. After leaving Stranraer he had a short spell as manager of junior outfit Glenafton Athletic
Glenafton Athletic F.C.
Glenafton Athletic are a Scottish football club, based in New Cumnock, Ayrshire. Formed in 1930, their history has been characterised by local success, with some national success too.-History:...
. On 28 October 2010, Ferguson was named as assistant manager of Dumbarton FC. However it was announced on 3 November 2010 that he will be unable to fill that role due to media commitments.
Honours
With RangersRangers F.C.
Rangers Football Club are an association football club based in Glasgow, Scotland, who play in the Scottish Premier League. The club are nicknamed the Gers, Teddy Bears and the Light Blues, and the fans are known to each other as bluenoses...
:
- Scottish League championships (3):
- 1987, 1989, 1990
- League Cup (4):
- 1985, 1987, 1988, 1989
External links
- Profile at sporting-heroes.net
- Hearts appearances and images at londonhearts.com