Bobby Ferguson (footballer, born 1945)

Robert Ferguson (born 1 March 1945) is a Scottish former footballer, who played as a goalkeeper.

For the former Ipswich Town manager, see Bobby Ferguson (footballer, born 1938).

Bobby Ferguson
Personal information
Full name Robert Ferguson[1]
Date of birth (1945-03-01) 1 March 1945
Place of birth Ardrossan, Scotland
Position(s) Goalkeeper
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
1964–1967 Kilmarnock 73 (0)
1967–1980 West Ham United 240 (0)
1974 → Sheffield Wednesday 5 (0)
1982 Adelaide City 22 (0)
Total 340 (0)
National team
1965–1966 Scotland 7 (0)
1966–1967 Scottish League XI 2 (0)
* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only

Football career

Kilmarnock

Born in Ardrossan, Ferguson came through Willie Waddell's Kilmarnock youth system in the early 1960s. Ferguson took over in the first-team following an injury to Campbell Forsyth in 1964–65.[2] He retained the goalkeeper's shirt for the remainder of the season, playing eight games and keeping four clean sheets.[3]

In 1964–65 Heart of Midlothian F.C. fought out a championship title race with Waddell's Kilmarnock. In the era of two points for a win Hearts were three points clear with two games remaining. Hearts drew with Dundee United meaning the last game of the season with the two title challengers playing each other at Tynecastle would be a league decider. Kilmarnock needed to win by a two-goal margin to take the title. Hearts entered the game as favourites with both a statistical and home advantage. They also had a solid pedigree of trophy winning under Walker. Waddell's Kilmarnock in contrast had been nearly men. Four times in the previous five seasons they had finished league runners-up including Hearts' triumph in 1960. Killie had also lost three domestic cup finals during the same period including the 1962 League Cup Final defeat to Hearts. Hearts had won five of the six senior cup finals they played in under Walker. Even the final they had lost was in a replay after drawing the first game. Hearts' Roald Jensen hit the post after six minutes. Kilmarnock then scored twice through Davie Sneddon and Brian McIlroy after 27 and 29 minutes. Alan Gordon had an excellent chance to clinch the title for Hearts in second half injury time but was denied by a Ferguson diving save pushing the ball past the post. The 2–0 defeat meant Hearts lost the title by an average of 0.042 goals.[4][5][6] Subsequently, Hearts were instrumental in pushing through a change to use goal difference to separate teams level on points. Ironically this rule change later denied Hearts the title in 1985–86.[7] This is the only time to date Killie's have been Scottish champions.[8]

Ferguson went on to make 73 league appearances for the club.[9] During his time with Kilmarnock he won seven caps for Scotland.[10]

West Ham United including Sheffield Wednesday loan

Ferguson was transferred east London club West Ham United for a fee of £65,000 in 1967, which at the time was a world record fee for a goalkeeper. He made his Hammers debut against Sheffield Wednesday on 19 August 1967, the first game of the 1967–68 season. Despite having to compete for the number one shirt with Peter Grotier and Mervyn Day, Ferguson still managed 276 appearances during his 13 years at West Ham. He spent time with Sheffield Wednesday on loan in 1973, making five appearances for them. The signing of Phil Parkes in February 1979 ultimately meant the end of his career at West Ham. He played his last game for the Upton Park club in a 2–1 defeat on 14 November 1979 against Chelsea, and left in 1980. He received a testimonial match in 1981, against Southampton, for which he earned £20,000. He also played reserve team football for West Ham as a winger.[11]

Adelaide City

In 1981 Ferguson emigrated to Australia. He played with Adelaide City for one year and then coached the club the following year. He later coached with Vacation Soccer Schools and Burnside Rugby Club.[12]

Career after football

In 1982, he ran a diving firm for six years, but gave up when a colleague was attacked by a shark.[13][11]

Honours
Kilmarnock

References
  1. "Bobby Ferguson". Barry Hugman's Footballers. Retrieved 23 April 2017.
  2. "Do You Remember ? Campbell Forsyth 1961-65". www.killiefc.com. Archived from the original on 14 November 2007. Retrieved 8 April 2010.
  3. "Season Diary 1964-65". KillieFC.com. Retrieved 9 October 2017.
  4. Heaney, William. "Killie's final day victory breaks Hearts". The Football Pink. Archived from the original on 30 October 2016. Retrieved 9 October 2007.
  5. "1965-04-24 Sat Hearts 0 Kilmarnock 2". www.londonhearts.com.
  6. cb76kfc (10 July 2008). "Hearts 0 Killie 2 (24/04/1965)" – via YouTube.
  7. "1964-1974 - Hearts History - Club - Hearts". www.heartsfc.co.uk.p.preprod.performgroup.com. Archived from the original on 21 May 2016. Retrieved 24 May 2017.
  8. "Kilmarnock: Competition History (by competition)". FitbaStats. Retrieved 9 October 2017.
  9. "Ferguson, Bobby". FitbaStats. Retrieved 9 October 2017.
  10. "Bobby Ferguson (1965-1966)". ScotlandFootballStats. Retrieved 9 October 2017.
  11. Hogg, Tony (2005). Who's Who of West Ham United. Profile Sports Media. p. 82. ISBN 1-903135-50-8.
  12. "Where are they now?". Bob's 70-71 Pages. Archived from the original on 27 April 2012. Retrieved 1 January 2007.
  13. "Do You Remember ? Bobby Ferguson 1964-67". www.killiefc.com. Archived from the original on 11 November 2007. Retrieved 8 April 2010.
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