Big Dunc

Tony Davies 31/07/2015 25comments  |  Jump to last

At first, writing an article about him seemed redundant. You either know or you don’t.

The more you think about it, the more obvious it is. Duncan Ferguson is a legend.

He will never have as many Instagram, Twitter or Facebook followers as Cristiano Ronaldo. Actually, he may never have any.

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He will never be as universally adored as Lionel Messi. In fact, the media-assisted protection from referees that the Barcelona forward receives is the polar opposite to what Dunc got.

What he has instead is the backing of a legion of Evertonians who he represented in battle on the pitch, with both the player and supporters accompanying his every goal with the pure emotion that we pride ourselves on to this day.

Dunc’s story has many of the elements that make a great film. Less than 48 hours before the game that would shape his career, he finds himself in a police cell after several nights on the lash. He goes on to score against his team’s arch-rivals to help secure a famous victory.

After early success and winning the FA Cup, an incident from the big man’s past comes back to haunt him as he is locked up for a more permanent stretch. He returns from behind bars as popular as ever, with Evertonians not only welcoming him back to Goodison but also present for his actual release from prison in Scotland.

The next big twist in the tale is one for which Dunc himself cannot be blamed. Sold to another club behind the back of the manager, the player ends up at Newcastle despite having an Everton crest tattooed on his arm.

Nearly two years go by for Evertonians without their hero, but eventually the club and the forward could remain apart no longer. Although he had passed a medical prior to his return, the thing that stood out more than any physical examination was an admission by Dunc: 'Everton’s in my blood'.

Many fans lament the lack of loyalty in modern football, but Dunc only ever wanted to play for Everton. Stating that 'when you play for Everton, you forget the rest' may not have gone down well with Dundee United, Rangers or Newcastle, yet the incredible bond between him and the club meant that these were just his honest feelings.

For most players, confronting two burglars in your home and 'restraining' one of them until the police arrive would be a defining incident and the thing that you were most remembered for. For Duncan Ferguson, it’s just an entertaining side story of a career filled with moments that make you proud he wore the blue shirt.

As a popular terrace chant of the 1980s suggested, Jesus Christ may have been an Evertonian.

When it comes to Duncan Ferguson, there is no doubt.

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Reader Comments (25)

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Peter McHugh
1 Posted 01/08/2015 at 07:24:35
I still belt out now and again when driving our song for him. I hardly say much when at the match but I always used to belt out a tune for him!

So many incidents. The goal he scored in a rain-lashed Derby against James with his left foot was a great memory but my favourite is probably him tossing Ince aside like a rag doll.

Yes, an absolute legend (only Big Nev I adore more).

Paul Andrews
2 Posted 01/08/2015 at 08:01:24
Not many know of his charity work down the years. He absolutely insisted on his numerous gifts to local children’s charities being kept quiet.

A rough diamond who loves this club to his core. If you ever had the privilege to chat to him, his honesty and commitment are obvious.

I am really looking forward to being part of his day tomorrow.

Tony Abrahams
3 Posted 01/08/2015 at 08:26:15
The night he scored two at Old Trafford he was special, but it's a career of, "if only's" for me.
Steven Twine
4 Posted 01/08/2015 at 08:42:12
Legend! It’s a shame that some of our modern day footballers haven’t his passion, desire and affection for our great club. Big Nev, Dave Watson and Duncan all had that for us in my opinion.

Best moment? There’s loads... but one of the best was when he took off his shirt to reveal the tattoo, amazing feeling seeing that!

CI just wonder... do you think he’s had a quiet word with Stones? I couldn’t think of a better person to guide him through this speculation and persuade him to stay!!
Graham Mockford
5 Posted 01/08/2015 at 08:52:06
Some people are easily pleased. Duncan the legend is a very different to the player I watched. I wouldn’t have him in the best 50 players I have seen pull on the blue shirt.

Certainly he had some moments, usually against the RS or especially Man Utd, and let’s be fair, he was a player who could excite because of his physical prowess, his heart-on-the-sleeve aggression.

But that is not the player we saw on most occasions. He struggled with fitness, he had a terrible disciplinary record, and his goalscoring record was poor.

Look, if you get excited because he was a ’hard bastard’ who apprehended some no-marks, fill your boots. He undoubtedly liked a tear-up in his younger days, as his three convictions for assault attest.

But for me, he was a sign of his times: mostly a period of the worst football ever played by an Everton team, close to relegation on four or five occasions. He was a least a little brightness on occasions amongst the dross we were being served. But a legend? Do me a favour.

Dave Abrahams
6 Posted 01/08/2015 at 10:49:13
Graham, I have to agree with you, Duncan is never a legend. I think when he looks back on his career, he would agree with most of the stuff you have written.

Off the pitch, he is a very easy going man, a good conversationalist, good listener and he certainly doesn’t look for any acclaim, and for those Evertonians who looked after Duncan when he first came to Everton, he has proved to be a loyal friend back to them, especially in sad times.

All-in-all, Duncan is a sound fella.

Tony Abrahams
7 Posted 01/08/2015 at 11:09:44
He his going to have a great day tomorrow anyway, with 30,000 tickets having already been sold.

Say what you want about Evertonians, but they will always turn out for "one of their own".

Jack Cross
8 Posted 01/08/2015 at 12:13:15
Graham Mockford, I couldn’t agree more. And when people are comparing him with Ball and Kendall, it’s just unbelievable in my eyes.

A legend? Never. I won’t be at his testimonial but then I disagree with testimonials, full stop.

Bobby Thomas
10 Posted 01/08/2015 at 12:42:22
Having read the book In Search of Duncan Ferguson (I think), I don't think he was overly arsed about the game when he was playing, certainly in his younger days.

I think he had to leave the game to appreciate it.

If he had the mentality he had today when he was playing, then he would have had a much more productive career potentially.

However, if you're constantly injured as he was from his mid- to late-20s you can never show your best.

I suppose bringing him back was a massive mistake given the age, injury record & wages shelled out. Big mistake of the heart, not the head.

A fit and flying Duncan Ferguson was a proper player though, no doubt.

Mike Powell
11 Posted 01/08/2015 at 14:02:16
Duncan is and always will be a legend. He is one of us, Blue through and through, not like others we could mention.

Once a Blue always a blue.
Chad Schofield
12 Posted 01/08/2015 at 16:23:01
Well I can't wait for tomorrow. He's a legend in my eyes, although I think he'd be the first to accept some of the criticism here... some at least.
Ste Traverse
13 Posted 01/08/2015 at 17:15:12
I’m one of those who doesn’t look at Dunc as a legend. He was injured too much and played sometimes like he wasn’t arsed against the smaller teams.

I hope he has a great day tomorrow but I don’t remember Kevin Sheedy ever getting a testimonial and he played for us for 10 years, did much more for the club, and is leagues above Duncan in the ’Goodison legends’ stakes.

He should have had a better career given his talent but his lack of motivation didn’t help. Neither did the often poor service he got with having the likes of Gary Ablett and David Unsworth hitting aimless long balls at him.

Paul Tran
14 Posted 01/08/2015 at 17:23:32
If he's a legend our standards have plummeted. He had some magical moments, he could have made so much more of his talent. He chose not to, to his and our cost.
Terence Leong
15 Posted 01/08/2015 at 17:31:30
Big Dunc certainly looked like he didn't care too much at times when he was playing, especially in being the first down into the tunnel.

But like what some said here, he regretted that he hadn't achieved as much. There was this interview a few years back when he spoke as candidly on his reflections about how he could have achieved more.

That perhaps explain his passion in working with the younger players, so that they can learn from his mistakes.

Also, the root of his injury problems were only discovered late in his career, a pinched nerve on his lower back, which then impacted all those calf injuries that he kept getting. I recalled this piece of news coming out, and the comments/ analysis was how he was playing through the pain barrier all these while.

The fact that he was a big player in a team where he was under-utilized. Even Kendall was asking players to lump it up. The amount of jumping that he did to win headers, only to see no one at the end of it, and scooped up by the opposition, that's painful to watch.

Regardless, he has been class ever since he returned. Let's give the man his day in the sun.

Paul Mackie
16 Posted 01/08/2015 at 17:41:18
I think opinion of Dunc's 'legend' status depends very much on how old you are.

If you got to watch the really great Everton teams that won titles then no, you probably don't think he is. But to someone like me who was only 15 when we won the FA Cup in '95 Dunc was something special. One of the few players that made you excited to be at the game. His attitude towards Everton and his 'hard man' antics are just the icing on the cake.

Paul Tran
17 Posted 01/08/2015 at 17:52:42
Nothing to do with age, Paul. I grew up as an Evertonian in the barren 70s. I saw a few very good players and loads of poor ones. Even in my teens, I could tell the difference between brilliant players who won things and hit consistent high levels and the best players of the then -- present day.

A legend isn’t the best player you grew up with, it’s a consistent winner and performer on the pitch. Big Dunc was brilliant for 18 months, then trod water for the rest of his times with our club.

Michael Kenrick
18 Posted 01/08/2015 at 19:46:45
Wow, 30,000 plus for an Everton testimonial? I'm pretty sure that's unheard of... at least in recent times. Well done to all the Blues who are coming out for this celebration.

[No doubt someone can put me straight before I start checking back...]

Alan Humphreys
20 Posted 01/08/2015 at 22:28:52
He brought to our game passion when others couldn’t be arsed -- desperately need a character like now.

Under used as a target man when he had such great feet and ball control. Loved watching him and let us not forget, his goals tally may not had been great but from how many of his knock downs or tying up 2/3 defenders lead to goals. I remember Sky Sports pointing out that defenders knew they wouldn’t win the ball in the air so defended the knock downs.

I watched him in his prowess when we were utter shite, he was one of the few rays of light. Hope Hinchcliffe turns up tomorrow just to curl in a corner to his head -- teach Baines how it’s done whilst he’s there!

Eric Myles
22 Posted 02/08/2015 at 14:49:52
Jack #8, Ball and Kendall were rightly legends but of a different class and era.

In recent times who do we really have as legends, Cahill?? I reckon Dunc ranks as a "modern day legend" and remember him fondly for our 4th season finish when he came on as sub and scared the opposition defence shitless just by being Big Dunc.

Paul Tran
23 Posted 02/08/2015 at 15:01:48
Why do we have to make up 'legends' when we've had no-one worthy of the word for 30 years?

I liked Ferguson, it's great he's back at the club, hopefully stopping the youngsters making the mistakes he made.

I'd love to have Cahill back at the club. A great example of skill, persistence and attitude that is sorely missed at the club right now.

I wouldn't call either of them legends, though.

Neil Thomas
25 Posted 02/08/2015 at 16:19:26
Not a legend what a joke. How many modern day players would take a pay cut to come back to the club they loved? The man gave blood and sweat to this club. For me he as got to be the Next EFC manager.

No I agree he couldn’t breeze past 3 or 4 defenders, or put a pass onto a 10 Pence coin, but what he could do was fire up a ground full of Everton fans into a frenzy of support, and get an extra 10% Out of the players around him.

So in my eyes he is A true legend and we should all be honoured the big man wore our precious blue shirt.
Christopher Nicholls
26 Posted 02/08/2015 at 17:56:57
Played with intensity, loved the club and had ability in spades for a big man. I watched the great teams from the mid 80’s in my teens, but Dunc was a special player who could grab a game by the stuff of the neck and shake it till it begged for mercy.

Yes, he could have worked for more, but there are few others I’d rather want back at the club mentoring our younger players.

My boy thinks he’s a legend and I’m more than OK with that.
Neil Thomas
27 Posted 02/08/2015 at 19:46:31
Christopher Nicholls, I totally agree. A man I’m proud to say is an Evertonian.

Not many modern day players deserve the legend status but him and Big Nev certainly do.
James Marshall
28 Posted 03/08/2015 at 16:30:35
Of course he's a legend. You don't have to be the greatest player to hold legendary status. You don't have to have won the most trophies, or played the most amount of games - it's more than that.

Duncan was, and is a legend at Everton for the way he played, the way he represented us, the supporters, the lifeblood of the club we have no choice but to be in love with. True blue blood who still wears his heart on his sleeve as shown yesterday when he made a speech on the Goodison pitch.

He doesn't script what he does or says - he never did. He just does what he feels, and knows we adore him for it.

My personal Everton all-time hero is and always will be Big Nev, but Duncan is a close second. I grew up watching the great teams we had in the 80's and idolised Graeme Sharp, Reidy, Trevor Steven et al but none of them grabbed my attention like Nev did. After that time there's only been one player who really stayed in my heart and that's Duncan.

A monumental figure to many, and certainly to me - yesterday I wasn't able to be at Goodison but I've been all over the Internet watching as much as I could get my hands on - just watching him in our shirt again makes the hair on the back of my neck stand on end, and when I think of all those moments he gave us (and let's face it the real life of an Evertonian is 'those' moments) I still feel that same adoration which to me means, he's a legend.

Not the best player, not the player with the most medals, not the player with the best record, but definitely the player with the bluest of blood, and the biggest Evertonian heart you could wish for.

I'm off to watch him bang a few goals in, and drop Paul Ince on the deck again....

Paul Cherrington
29 Posted 04/08/2015 at 12:59:35
How anyone can say Tim Cahill is not an EFC legend is beyond me, to be honest. Both him and Big Dunc deserve that status for the reasons James Marshall points out above. If any of the current team had even 10% of their desire and passion, we wouldn’t be in our current situation.

Also, it's these type of players who bring new, young fans to the club -- look at how much work Tim Cahill did in that area and how good he was with the kids & fans.


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