Big Dunc testimonial - EFC vs Villareal at Goodison, Sun Aug 2nd

[gaino92]

Exactly what happened at my first Everton game. He was my hero and I was so excited to see him play. Was against Derby County, he played 9 minutes then got sent off for elbowing someone. Pretty sure I cried haha.

that was my first game as well, got beat 2-1 didn't we?

 

[Woolverhampton_Blue]

that was my first game as well, got beat 2-1 didn't we?

Couldn't remember the exact score only remember losing, just looked it up though and it was indeed 2-1. Apparently Ferguson lasted 16 mins not the 9 I had in my head.

 

[AaronTheBlue]

i for one am looking forward to seeing rooney, in an everton shirt again, even if it's once.

But more so, Duncan Ferguson. In an everton shirt, one last time.

 

[GoatJR]

 

[The Dunc]

I recently fell on hard times, only got to goodison once last season, but have tickets for this.
I really hope Rooney doesn't get boo'ed, am so looking forward to seeing him up front with the big guy. Can't wait.

 

[ilikecheese]

***PREEMPTIVE POST FOR @Adversus***

The sky is not falling...pipe down and enjoy the game.

 

[Dubai Blue]

Jesus, will they ever confirm if it will be televised!?

 

[KevMirallas]

Jesus, will they ever confirm if it will be televised!?

If it is, they won't tell us until a couple of hours before the game so as to maximise ticket sales. I wouldn't be surprised if they put a stream up though.

 

[Eggs]

If it is, they won't tell us until a couple of hours before the game so as to maximise ticket sales. I wouldn't be surprised if they put a stream up though.

.....Little Eggs flew in from Dubai last night and immediately purchased a few tickets off the site (print off facility appears really good). He struggled to get a couple of seats and has ended up in Upper Bullens so I suspect there'll be a fair crowd.

 

[Eggs]

I recently fell on hard times, only got to goodison once last season, but have tickets for this.
I really hope Rooney doesn't get boo'ed, am so looking forward to seeing him up front with the big guy. Can't wait.

....I can see the moment he comes on getting world wide coverage such will be the interest. I expect it will be on major news channels.

 

[Groucho]

....I can see the moment he comes on getting world wide coverage such will be the interest. I expect it will be on major news channels.

I can see the copy being written now:

Not posted by the Daily Mail;

Following his appearance for Everton at his boyhood hero, Duncan Ferguson's testimonial match, Everton are believed to be interested in sounding out Manchester United about taking Wayne Rooney on a week long loan deal until the end of July.

Sources close to both clubs and the player may be interested in passing on information as they get it.

That was non-committal and inaccurate enough, yes?

 

[KevMirallas]

I can see the copy being written now:




That was non-committal enough, yes?

We're obviously going to reveal we've signed him at half time, right?

 

[Groucho]

We're obviously going to reveal we've signed him at half time, right?

Swapped him for Kone mate, yeah.

 

[TheFinnFan]

Would love to be there.
Make it boss lads.

Welcome Rooney too.

 

[Groucho]

I've written this for the front page:

It's the day of Duncan Ferguson's testimonial against Villareal. I've been looking forward to this for a while. Amid all the excitement of Wayne Rooney playing for Everton for the day, I'm really not that bothered about him, for today I'm all about Big Dunc.

It's well documented that when he came down to Everton he fully expected to go back to Glasgow Rangers, with more being anticipated from his fellow loanee at the time, Iain Durrant - he even sat in the press conference in a scarlet suit jacket! However, just a couple of games into this new Everton number 9's career, a former Everton number 9 came to the club's rescue, and resisted the urge to substitute him in his first Merseyside derby - we all know what happened next, an Andy Hinchcliffe corner (remember how boss they were?) landed on Duncan's head, and an Evertonian was created. He's said himself, this was the moment that he knew he wanted to stay, that he knew he was one of us.

That's what he became that day, and has clearly remained - an Evertoninan. Who can forget him simply lashing Paul Ince to the floor? How could you not love him after simply obliterating a Liverpool player in a derby win?

What Duncan brought to the club, apart from 74 goals in 239 games is almost intangible - an unquantifiable quality. At a time when the club was reliant on too many lower quality journeyman (with no disprespect to the likes of Carl Tiler intended), Duncan Ferguson was almost like the spirit of the fans who'd seen the 1985 team incarnated on the pitch. He may not have a fantastic goal return, but what we did get was an Evertonian on the pitch, and one who was willing to dive right in.

It's often asked these days, "do modern footballers financially need a testamonial"? No, they probably don't, but I do, as a fan, to show appreciation for someone who gave me and others something to look forward to in what's turned out to be an extended trophy-barren spell. His display on Gary Speed's debut against Newcastle, his header against Manchester United (past Tim Howard) in 2005. His return in 2000 against Charlton. Strangling Steffen Freund, decking Paul Scharner and calling David Elleray a baldy [Poor language removed] (I also remember him goading the Celtic fans after scoring in Neville Southall's own testamonial, and they took it well, it must be said). These may not have been the most well-advised things to do, however in the emotionally sterile, carbon-copy-post-match-interview world of modern football, he appealed to me.

For me, as someone who just about caught the glory days of the 1980's Duncan Ferguson embodied the fighting spirit of our club at a time when we were on our knees and regularly, genuinely relegation threatened - he was something to latch on to in the middle of a frankly desparate time for Everton. While at Goodison, he won the FA Cup, he's been with the club for over ten years all in, and I love him. I don't think it's an understatement to say that we could do with another Duncan in the side now.


Here is a man who may not have been the most prolific marksman of all time, yet he is exactly what we want from an Everton number 9. Mark my words, one day this man will be manager of Everton Football Club.
Alan Ball once said "Once Everton has touched you, nothing will ever be the same" - if ever you needed proof that this is possibly the most accurate statement ever, look no further than Duncan Ferguson.

TL; DR


I love Duncan Ferguson.