Mike Ferguson RIP

[Tyrone Shoelaces]

I was only thinking ther other day - what would that forward line be worth today ?

Fergie - £45 million

Andy Mac - £70 million

Big Fred - £100 million

Dougie - £125 million

Mike Harrison - £35 million

[alcd]

Fergie's solo goal v Northampton Town  in December 1965 is the best I've seen at  Elwood apart from Tony Field v Watford in November 1973. 

[Mercer]

  On 02/09/2019 at 08:23, Tyrone Shoelaces said:

I was only thinking ther other day - what would that forward line be worth today ?

Fergie - £45 million

Andy Mac - £70 million

Big Fred - £100 million

Dougie - £125 million

Mike Harrison - £35 million

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If Mike had had Fergie's heart and mental toughness then you could have said £135million!!!  Almost a latter day Ronaldo - very similar in terms of build, pace and attributes.  Best penalty taker I've ever seen as well.

Edited September 2, 2019 by Mercer

[Tyrone Shoelaces]

  On 02/09/2019 at 10:35, Mercer said:

If Mike had had Fergie's heart and mental toughness then you could have said £135million!!!  Almost a latter day Ronaldo - very similar in terms of build, pace and attributes.  Best penalty taker I've ever seen as well.

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I agree Mercer, for a big guy who was built like a light heavyweight boxer Mike didn't relish getting a kick. Fergie could fight fire with fire, sometimes to his own detriment. I've told the story before that I watched a behind closed doors pre season practice match in around 1963 or 1964. John Bray was marking Mike and he wasn't holding back. Jack Marshall was reffing and Mike was constantly in his ear about being fouled !

[arbitro]

Rovers have announced there will be a minutes appreciation for Mike on Saturday.

[rigger]

  On 02/09/2019 at 09:23, alcd said:

Fergie's solo goal v Northampton Town  in December 1965 is the best I've seen at  Elwood apart from Tony Field v Watford in November 1973. 

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I can still visualise Tony Fields goal

[4,000 Holes]

  On 12/09/2019 at 06:14, arbitro said:

Rovers have announced there will be a minutes appreciation for Mike on Saturday.

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Where has this been announced?  Our latest issue made a big point about the lack of acknowledgement at matches for the numerous past players who have passed away this year. This would be a great step forward by the club.

[arbitro]

  On 12/09/2019 at 21:57, 4,000 Holes said:

Where has this been announced?  Our latest issue made a big point about the lack of acknowledgement at matches for the numerous past players who have passed away this year. This would be a great step forward by the club.

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It was included in an LT article detailing the the funeral arrangements.

https://www.lancashiretelegraph.co.uk/news/17897281.funeral-plans-ex-rovers-player-mike-ferguson/

Edited September 13, 2019 by arbitro

[jim mk2]

  On 13/09/2019 at 05:58, arbitro said:

It was included in an LT article detailing the the funeral arrangements.

https://www.lancashiretelegraph.co.uk/news/17897281.funeral-plans-ex-rovers-player-mike-ferguson/

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Says in that LT piece Fergie started at Plymouth. Not true, surely? Are they mixing him up with Mike Harrison?

[Parsonblue]

  On 13/09/2019 at 09:53, jim mk2 said:

Says in that LT piece Fergie started at Plymouth. Not true, surely? Are they mixing him up with Mike Harrison?

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Fergie started at Plymouth as an amateur and then moved up to Stanley in the summer of 1960.

[jim mk2]

  On 13/09/2019 at 12:47, Parsonblue said:

Fergie started at Plymouth as an amateur and then moved up to Stanley in the summer of 1960.

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Strange that as he's from East Lancs and not southern. How did Plymouth of all clubs get him?

[old darwen blue]

  On 13/09/2019 at 15:57, jim mk2 said:

Strange that as he's from East Lancs and not southern. How did Plymouth of all clubs get him?

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Erm, scouts?

[4,000 Holes]

In our latest issue we highlighted supporters' disappointment at the lack of proper acknowledgement when former players have passed away over the last few years. It is really good to see changes have now been made. Well done to Rovers for this tribute yesterday and let's hope it continues in future.

[BRFCS.com]

This superb tribute to Mike Ferguson has been posted on the site for reading over the international weekend:

https://www.brfcs.com/magazine/articles/fantastic-fergie-i'd-walk-a-million-miles/391

 

[Tyrone Shoelaces]

  On 09/09/2023 at 13:49, BRFCS.com said:

This superb tribute to Mike Ferguson has been posted on the site for reading over the international weekend:

https://www.brfcs.com/magazine/articles/fantastic-fergie-i'd-walk-a-million-miles/391

 

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A great player, unstoppable on his day.

[47er]

Remember that Coventry game so well. Student at the time and travelled up from London to see it.

Total stupidity from Fergy that ended our very real promotion hopes.

However, a genius on his day and an integral component in a forward line that had scored for fun in Div 1.

[Tyrone Shoelaces]

  On 09/09/2023 at 22:28, 47er said:

Remember that Coventry game so well. Student at the time and travelled up from London to see it.

Total stupidity from Fergy that ended our very real promotion hopes.

However, a genius on his day and an integral component in a forward line that had scored for fun in Div 1.

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I agree he shouldn’t have lashed out but Bruck had been kicking the shit out of him right from the kick off and the referee just let him do it. It culminated with a hack at the back of his legs that led to Fergie swinging an arm. They’d  obviously spotted he was our danger man. I also thought Bruck made a meal of it. That was really unusual in those days as “ diving “ hadn’t been invented then.

Edited September 10, 2023 by Tyrone Shoelaces

[den]

Fabulous article from Fred Cumpstey. Thanks for posting this. I remember all of that but wasn’t fortunate enough to be at Villa Park on that day.

Fergie was a magician. His close ball control, the way he just waltzed past opponents with the greatest of ease made him the perfect man to replace Duggie at inside left. He did that with such success. I’ll never forget him as I doubt anyone who saw him will.

just reinforces my belief that that forward line, indeed that team was the best I ever saw.

 

[Leonard Venkhater]

  On 12/09/2019 at 08:33, rigger said:

I can still visualise Tony Fields goal

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So can I. I was standing right behind the goal.

Actually, there was another one -beating several men before scoring in the Blackburn End-against Charlton the same season, I think.

It was like a mini-bereavement, when he followed Furphy to Sheffield!

[Mercer]

Fergie is one of my all time Rovers' favourites.

At his best, an absolute magician.

An out and out winner with an ultra competitive edge.

If Fergie had joined one of the really big clubs when he left Rovers, I feel sure he would have got even better and gone on to play for England many times.

Tony Field was good for Rovers but come on, he wasn't in the same league as Fergie who plied his trade consistently well at the highest level.  

[Tyrone Shoelaces]

  On 10/09/2023 at 19:12, Mercer said:

Fergie is one of my all time Rovers' favourites.

At his best, an absolute magician.

An out and out winner with an ultra competitive edge.

If Fergie had joined one of the really big clubs when he left Rovers, I feel sure he would have got even better and gone on to play for England many times.

Tony Field was good for Rovers but come on, he wasn't in the same league as Fergie who plied his trade consistently well at the highest level.  

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I heard Alf Ramsey had him under serious consideration until the sending off.

One of my favourite memories was of him playing at Preston against a left back called John Ritchie. A lot of big clubs were watching Ritchie apparently. Fergie ran him ragged that afternoon. One bit of play I recall, it happened right in front of me - he ran at Ritchie and dropped the shoulder sending him the wrong way completely along with me and about 30 blokes stood near me !