Mick Ferguson
Encyclopedia
Michael John "Mick" Ferguson (born 3 October 1954 in Newcastle upon Tyne
) is an English former professional footballer who played as a striker. He spent the best years of his playing career at Coventry City
. Although his career was plagued by injury, he managed a decent strike-rate at most of the clubs he played for.
's scouting system, broadened under Jimmy Hill
's management to be able to identify young talent anywhere in the country.
In his first spell at the club he scored 51 goals in 127 league games over a six-year period. In 1977 he was top scorer with 13 league goals, but the following season he and Ian Wallace
formed a devastating strike partnership scoring 37 league goals between them;
Ferguson's share was 17 from 30 games, including three hat-trick
s. Ferguson was a key member of what was Coventry's most exciting top flight team. Playing alongside Ian Wallace
, Bobby MacDonald, Tommy Hutchison
, Terry Yorath
and Graham Oakey
Ferguson was often unplayable in the air, while surprisingly skilful for such a big man on the floor. He is one of 30 players selected for Coventry City's Hall of Fame. During this period he was considered for inclusion into the England international squad, though the call-up never came.
Everton
paid £
280,000 for him in August 1981, but little more than a year later he moved to Birmingham City
, initially on loan. In those months on loan he scored enough goals to be the club's top scorer for the season, but injuries interrupted his career and he played only two more league games for them. He was allowed back to his old club Coventry City on loan in March 1984; the three goals he scored in what remained of that season were enough to save Coventry from relegation from the top flight, ironically at Birmingham's expense. He went on to play for Brighton & Hove Albion
, Colchester United
and finally non-league Wealdstone
. Ferguson retired from playing in 1987, but remained in football, working in community development with several professional clubs.
It is difficult to gauge how good a player Ferguson would have been if he had not been plagued by injuries, although he still accumulated more than 200 professional league appearances (mainly in the top flight), scoring more than 80 league goals.
Newcastle upon Tyne
Newcastle upon Tyne is a city and metropolitan borough of Tyne and Wear, in North East England. Historically a part of Northumberland, it is situated on the north bank of the River Tyne...
) is an English former professional footballer who played as a striker. He spent the best years of his playing career at Coventry City
Coventry City F.C.
Coventry City Football Club, otherwise known as the Sky Blues owing to the traditional colour of their strip, are a professional English Football league club based in Coventry...
. Although his career was plagued by injury, he managed a decent strike-rate at most of the clubs he played for.
Biography
Ferguson was discovered by Coventry CityCoventry City F.C.
Coventry City Football Club, otherwise known as the Sky Blues owing to the traditional colour of their strip, are a professional English Football league club based in Coventry...
's scouting system, broadened under Jimmy Hill
Jimmy Hill
James William Thomas "Jimmy" Hill OBE is an English association football personality. His career has taken in virtually every role in football, including player, union leader, coach, manager, director, chairman, television executive, presenter, analyst and match official.-Early life:Hill was born...
's management to be able to identify young talent anywhere in the country.
In his first spell at the club he scored 51 goals in 127 league games over a six-year period. In 1977 he was top scorer with 13 league goals, but the following season he and Ian Wallace
Ian Wallace (footballer)
Ian Wallace, , was a professional Scottish footballer who had great success in the late-1970s and early-1980s when he played for top flight English clubs.-Club career:...
formed a devastating strike partnership scoring 37 league goals between them;
Ferguson's share was 17 from 30 games, including three hat-trick
Hat-trick
A hat-trick or hat trick in sport is the achievement of a positive feat three times during a game, or other achievements based on threes. The term was first used in 1858 in cricket to describe HH Stephenson's feat of taking three wickets in three balls. A collection was held for Stephenson, and he...
s. Ferguson was a key member of what was Coventry's most exciting top flight team. Playing alongside Ian Wallace
Ian Wallace
Ian Wallace is the name of:*D. Ian M. Wallace, ornithologist*Ian Wallace , science fiction author*Ian Wallace , pioneer of Vancouver's conceptual art movement...
, Bobby MacDonald, Tommy Hutchison
Tommy Hutchison
Thomas "Tommy" Hutchison is a Scottish former footballer.-Club career:Beginning his professional career with Alloa Athletic in the Scottish Second Division, being spotted by Archie McPherson...
, Terry Yorath
Terry Yorath
Terence Charles Yorath is a former footballer and has been a manager at both club and international level. He is also the father of television presenter Gabby Logan....
and Graham Oakey
Graham Oakey
Graham Oakey is an English former football player. Oakey made 88 league appearances for Coventry City.Born in Droitwich, Worcestershire in 1954, Graham was a product of Coventry's youth development system. He made his league debut in a home 2-2 draw against Manchester City in September 1974...
Ferguson was often unplayable in the air, while surprisingly skilful for such a big man on the floor. He is one of 30 players selected for Coventry City's Hall of Fame. During this period he was considered for inclusion into the England international squad, though the call-up never came.
Everton
Everton F.C.
Everton Football Club are an English professional association football club from the city of Liverpool. The club competes in the Premier League, the highest level of English football...
paid £
Pound sterling
The pound sterling , commonly called the pound, is the official currency of the United Kingdom, its Crown Dependencies and the British Overseas Territories of South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands, British Antarctic Territory and Tristan da Cunha. It is subdivided into 100 pence...
280,000 for him in August 1981, but little more than a year later he moved to 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...
, initially on loan. In those months on loan he scored enough goals to be the club's top scorer for the season, but injuries interrupted his career and he played only two more league games for them. He was allowed back to his old club Coventry City on loan in March 1984; the three goals he scored in what remained of that season were enough to save Coventry from relegation from the top flight, ironically at Birmingham's expense. He went on to play for Brighton & Hove Albion
Brighton & Hove Albion F.C.
Brighton & Hove Albion Football Club are an English association football club based in the coastal city of Brighton & Hove, East Sussex. They currently play in the Football League Championship, the second tier of the English football league system....
, Colchester United
Colchester United F.C.
Colchester United Football Club is an English football club based in Colchester. The club was formed in 1937, and briefly shared their old Layer Road home with now defunct side Colchester Town who had previously used the ground from 1910....
and finally non-league Wealdstone
Wealdstone F.C.
Wealdstone Football Club are an English semi-professional football club who formed in Wealdstone, in the London Borough of Harrow, but are currently based a few miles away in Ruislip, in the London Borough of Hillingdon. At present, the club are members of the Isthmian League Premier Division. They...
. Ferguson retired from playing in 1987, but remained in football, working in community development with several professional clubs.
It is difficult to gauge how good a player Ferguson would have been if he had not been plagued by injuries, although he still accumulated more than 200 professional league appearances (mainly in the top flight), scoring more than 80 league goals.
Honours
- with Coventry City
- Club's top league scorer 1977.
- with Birmingham City
- Club's top league scorer 1982.
External links
- Profile at Post War English & Scottish Football League A - Z Player's Database.