Duncan Ferguson in Conversation

Apparently 20 years in the making…

I vaguely remember a story from way back, but after Big Dunc had stopped playing, when the subject of a book came up, or was broached with him — he may even have taken it forward to some interim stage, but it all went tits-up and he put it on hold.

Looks like we already had something of a premonition about this, from last year:

Everton legend offers tasters for next year's autobiography: Big Dunc

It was great to see him on the TNT match build-up last Saturday. He looked to be in fine form.

31 years on from his debut goal, still get a surge of energy when Big Dunc is mentioned.

We literally went from being scared of playing opponents to dying for the game to start, so we could terrorise them with big Dunc at the forefront of all that.

I don't think we will see that kind of galvanising effect from 1 player ever again, seeing as the game has changed so much.

It's a shame the 96-97 season fell away so badly, still think it's my worst disappointment as a blue, iconic manager leaving in March, rumours of Dunc leaving in the ECHO. That unbiased publication with all letters being answered by an Anfield legend!!!

I pre-ordered that book Michael, it's going to be delivered as a 'surprise' to my dauhter for her 21st.

I say surprise, a shock is a better word. She's no idea who Big Dunc is but had asked me to pre-order another book for her. So when this one turns up she'll think it's the one she wanted. Which I did order but is due to be delivered later.

Just hope she remembers to pack it to bring over to me on her hols and doesn't just bin it in disgust!

Will have to order that! Big Dunc was one of my favourite Everton players (next to Andy King, who was my first football 'crush'!). Unfortunately I, along with my brother and sister, missed his very last game at Goodison in 2006 because our Dad had died the night before. But at the Man U game last week I was delighted to see Dunc taking part in the TNT pre-match chit-chat just a few metres away from me! I was sitting in my scooter in the front of the Park End and as he came off the pitch he had to pass me I gave him a smile and he stopped to give me a smile and a hug and a kiss on the cheek! He shook my hand at full-time when he passed me again he looked as gutted as we were at that penalty farce! Lovely bloke! :)

He was in fine form Sandra.

I've said before, I never really done the Duncan admiration thing. My mate did and even styled his hair with one of those floppy, parted fringe haircuts in honour of the big man.

I just always felt he never lived up to his potential or expectation, but that's just me. I appreciate he gave supporters hope, when there wasn't much going around.

Was it AK's curls and cheeky smile Sandra and, of course, blue eyes?

It wasn't just you Danny #5. I suspect the big man looked back on his career and felt he didn't achieve nearly enough. I'm also sure I read somewhere he regretted the retirement from International football.

Very few fans do adulation like us Blues! I think it's part of the pass-down from the generation above.

He was a much better footballer than he was given credit for - great on the floor as well as with his head. His constant absence through injury, suspension, and (which I think was unfair) incarceration, meant that after nearly 10 seasons with us, he got I think 72 goals.

You're right, he was a beacon of hope when there was little. And we know, had he hit those heights he was capable of, he'd have been cashed in, and not to the Barcodes, and with no return.