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Post by QPR Report on Mar 12, 2010 17:16:29 GMT
From OUR Ex-QPR Mike Ferguson reacting to my recently-created site - exqpr.blogspot.com [For those not familiar with Mike Ferguson, a great player at QPR from 19669-1973, a flashback qprreport.blogspot.com/2007/03/ex-qpr-winger-mike-ferguson-turns-64.html[Mike Ferguson Comments Reposted with Permission]I have only just found out there is a web with regard to ex players just reading,what a good site,I hope Frank Sibley,and Chippy Clark are as well as can be expected. Best Regards Former Player Mike Ferguson Thanks for your return email,I thought your piece about Frank and Clive was excellent,when you think in the early 60s,myself and many others voted in favour of strike action in support of better conditions for players,we never thought for one minute it would get has obscene with money has it is now,players have lost all contact with the rreal supporters,I know when I was at the rangers the supporters were superb with me,and very honest in there opinions. Mike Ferguson Of Course you can,and if you need any info I would be only to happy to give a view Best Regards Mike I will give you anotherstrange fact,you will remember when Rodney went to city,well nobody would wear the no 10 shirt,because Rod was so popular,I said to to Gordon jago give it to me,I have no problem,the club were afraid there was going to be a reaction to the 10 shirt,I wore it and was proud to,and actually took over as captain because Terry got injured. Best Regards Mike
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Post by QPR Report on Mar 12, 2010 17:27:33 GMT
Mike Ferguson Front Row, Next to Rodney Marsh Back Row between Tony Hazell and Dave Clement
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Post by cpr on Mar 12, 2010 17:55:50 GMT
I wonder what his barnet looks like now. I can remember him, as will a good few on here. Or their Dads. ;D Great he found the site and commented on it, nice one Mike.
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Post by Zamoraaaah on Mar 12, 2010 17:59:40 GMT
Good stuff.
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Post by QPR Report on Mar 12, 2010 18:03:28 GMT
I remember Mike Ferguson captaining the team...Marsh had been sold...Frank Saul had been sold...Terry Venables was out for the rest of the season with a groin injury... and we went undefeated the last 12 games of the season (just missing out) - with a teenage midfield duo of Francis and Busby and Wingers Mike Ferguson and Barry Salvage.
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Post by scarletpimple on Mar 12, 2010 19:28:50 GMT
I remember mike ferguson well, flying down the left wing, outsmarting the defender and putting in a curling rasping shot that always seemed to be just the wrong side of the angle, he used to do it loads of times.
He ended up not scoring many goals, but for those couple of inches the wrong side of the post he would have scored a lot more, he just seemed to hit the ball around the same spot every time, uncanny.
And always with the goalkeeper well beaten.
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Post by QPR Report on Mar 13, 2010 9:38:21 GMT
Reposting what I put on my blog a year ago Background:QPR's Les Allen signed him in 1969 from Aston Villa for something like 15,000 pounds to replace Rodney Marsh who was suspended for a month (the days of draconian suspensions for 3 bookings). Skillful foward/winger...Ferguson was with QPR for 4 seasons, even captaining the club for a while in the 1971/72 season, when Terry Venables was injured. Famous for being the last Accrington Stanley player playing in the League. (Ironically Accrington Stanley look like they will be returning to the League.) After QPR won promotion, joined Cambridge for a small fee. Accrington Observer - 4th December 2002Fergie remembers LAST scorer: Mike Ferguson in action at Peel Park during the fateful 1961-62 season. MIKE Ferguson scored Accrington Stanley’s last-ever Football League goal … and has spent more than half a lifetime listening to other people claim the distinction. And Fergie, now 58, holds another record of sorts. He was the first player to be transferred from the Football League to another club, joining neighbours Blackburn Rovers for around £2,500, a fraction of the fee he would have earned stricken Stanley had he gone before their demise. Ironically, such a windfall might have gone some way towards saving the club. But cynics suggested that predatory rivals who had guessed at Stanley’s fate were hovering like vultures to swoop down on whatever meat remained on the carcass. Ferguson’s goal, his first and only Stanley goal, earned the Reds their final point at Doncaster four days before their final game. It was one of only four points the ailing side picked up in their final 17 games after the last win, a 1-0 success at home to Crewe in mid-October 1961. Mike, who now lives in Worsthorne, said: "I didn’t even realise it was the last goal until someone contacted me and told me a few years ago. I have met all kinds of people who said they scored it, people I know didn’t even play for the club! "Football was so different then. I used to go to the ground from Burnley on the bus, with spectators getting on all the way down Burnley Road. If it was good enough for Tom Finney it was good enough for me. Diets? Unheard of in those days. I remember once pulling up at a transport café at 4am on the way to Gillingham and Harry Hubbick, the trainer, said: "Nobody have peas with your pies!" Mike had a fine career as a winger-cum-midfield schemer with Blackburn, Aston Villa and QPR, living the London high-life with the likes of Rodney Marsh and Terry Venables at one stage. He also managed with great success abroad and as recently as 1996 was scouting foreign teams for his old pal Venables, then England manager. Accrington Stanley Spotlight on: The Career of Mike Ferguson 17/2/2002 - Rochdale RivalsA keen desire to make the grade as a professional footballer saw the Burnley born inside forward travel in excess of 200 miles south after accepting an offer to join Plymouth Argyle. The first team proved just beyond him during his time at Home Park throughout which he remained an amateur. So the offer of professional terms combined with a move closer to home with Accrington Stanley was gleefully accepted. Despite their lowly status Ferguson spent almost two seasons with Stanley. Blackburn Rovers scouts regularly attended games across Lancashire and on one of these visits saw Ferguson and marked him down as a transfer target. Financial problems primarily led to the demise of the club. Their subsequent loss of Football League status only hastened his arrival at Ewood Park in return for a £1500 fee. Although bought as a striker he was converted to a right sided midfielder usually operating on the wing. It was a move which benefited both parties as Blackburn had created an extra option going forward with a player who knew the strikers art and could anticipate the needs of the forwards as well as weighing in with his fair share of goals. For his part Ferguson revelled in his creative role due to the responsibility and extra satisfaction he gained from the switch. However, that was tempered by a powerful will to win which unfortunately exposed a short fuse when the battle for points got heated enough. Although he missed just a handful of games during his six seasons with Rovers a fair share of these absences came through suspensions. Although a crowd favourite like many other players he had a price which could buy his services and by offering £50,000 at the close of the 1967-68 season Aston Villa found it. Like Blackburn Villa were a major force during the fledging years of the Football League but neither enjoyed a comfortable level of standing. Rovers were relegated from the top flight in 1966 and weren't looking good bets for a quick return. The Midlanders were in the same division but usually finished well up the table while never pushing for promotion. They were eventually relegated to the Third Division but believed that the skills displayed by Ferguson could help them break back into the big time. However, by this time they suffered the drop Fergsuon had left the club. He spent just over a year with The Villains playing a more peripheral role than he had been used to with previous clubs before joining Queens Park Rangers in a cut price deal.In complete contrast the London club got a keen deal and managed to give their signing a new lease of life. Their direct style being more suited to his style of play. Cambridge United provided a stop off before he arrived at Rochdale in time for the 1974-75 campaign. In two seasons at Spotland he became an established first choice in the centre of the park only breaking away to set up a pioneering transfer to Icelandic side IAK Arkanes. The move as player/coach only lasted a short time but a result of this move he became one of the first English players to sample life in Europe's northern most outposts. It was this experience and exposure to different techniques which set him in good stead when he took on other coaching posts. However, before concentrating on that side of the game he played a couple of matches for Halifax Town in the spring of 1977. His backroom career literally had him journey from continent to continent although it started at lowly Enfield. Rochdale were the only Football League club he served as manager. He took the reigns at Spotland a few weeks into the 1977-78 season after a bad start to the campaign saw Brian Green's tenure ended. Form barely picked up throughout the campaign as Dale finished bottom of the league seven points shy of the second from bottom Southport and seventeen points clear of not having to battle out yet another re-election vote. In the event the Merseyside club rather than Dale were shown the door by their fellow league clubs. Just eight games were won all season and just one before Ferguson's arrival. No victories came on the club's travels except in the League Cup when a narrow win was recorded over Halifax Town. In the league two points were picked up away from Spotland from draws with York City and Doncaster Rovers. He was given another chance to turn things around and retained his job. There was clearly a lot of pressure to produce but things got little better the following season with just one win and six draws picked up by the end of November. However, earlier in the month the manager had left Dale allowing him to embark on another oddessy around the world coaching teams as far a field as Cyprus and The Far East. Upon leaving the game during the 1980s despite all the places and climates he had experienced he chose to return to Burnley where he still lives. Rivals Also - Accrington Stanley HistoryFERGUSON, Michael Kevin Forward 5 ft 10 in, 11 st 2 lb Born: Burnley 9 Mar 1943 Debut v Gillingham (h) 12 Sep 1960 Appearances: 50 Goals: 2 Career: Burnley schools; Plymouth Arg. amateur 16 Mar 1959; STANLEY 4 July 1960; Blackburn R. 15 Mar 1962 (fee £1,500); Aston Villa May 1968 (fee £50,000); QPR Nov 1969 (fee £15,000]; Cambridge U. July 1973; Rochdale July 1974 (free transfer); IA Akranes (Iceland) 1975-76; Halifax T. Dec 1976, retired 1977; Rochdale manager Sep 1977 to Nov 1978; coached around the world in 80´s especially Middle East; coached in Sweden; Apoel Nicosia manager; Enfield manager 1989; Tottenham H. scout 1989; Evagoras Paphos (Cyprus) manager Sep 1991; also England scout 1994-96. Ferguson had had experience with Plymouth Arg. as an amateur but wanted home to Lancashire and wrote to Stanley, who promptly signed him without seing him play. He had represented the FA Youth team, played in the FA Youth Cup for Argyle and played for Devon Youth. When he made his League debut with Stanley he was 17 years 187 days, which made him the third youngest first-team player in club history. Obviously the most talented player in a poor side, he disappointingly managed just two goals. The impotent Stanley attack could have done with better shooting from the youngster. He turned down a move to Workington who had offered £3,000 in January 1962, moving to Blackburn R. when Stanley left the League. There he played his best football, becoming something of a cult figure. Being converted to right-winger he scored a goal at Villa Park that is still being talked about as goal of the Century, dribbling his way through from the half-way line. In 1968 he was sold to Aston Villa, where he played only 38 games. His careeer totals are 485 games, 44 goals, for seven different clubs. He led Akranes to the Icelandic championship but had little success as manager of Rochdale, being sacked after a particularly embarrassing FA Cup defeat at Droylsden. Prior to the 1996 European Championships he helped old team-mate Terry Venables with scouting for the England team. Mike Ferguson now lives in Worsthorne, Burnley. Accrington qprreport.blogspot.com/2008/03/qprs-mike-ferguson-turns-sixty-five.html
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Post by The Scooter on Mar 13, 2010 10:01:57 GMT
I think Mike is writing is autobiography at the moment. I was in contact with him about a year ago (he wanted to contact Harry for a foreward), mentioned that I was a QPR fan and that my Dad remembered him very fondly. Being born in 1970, I don't remember his playing career at all. Myself and a few on IndyR's managed to provide him with some contact details for Michael Wale for which he was extremely grateful.
Glad to see that he is still well and contact like this just shows there is an opportunity for an ex Players association here.
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Post by QPR Report on Mar 13, 2010 10:09:14 GMT
Thanks for that. As I recall, we originally signed Ferguson when Rodney Marsh was being suspended for a month...Not in the Roger Morgan/Dave Thomas mould, but classy.
Michael Wale...I remember his column which went on for years and years: Where is he now?
re the Old players: I'd just note that there haven't been any photos on the Official Site (or as far as I'm aware on any site) of the 1967ers returning on Saturday for Mike Keen "Commemoration"
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Post by The Scooter on Mar 13, 2010 10:11:49 GMT
Michael Wale did have a gardening slot (!) on Radio London and has now retired down to Devon I believe
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Post by QPR Report on Mar 13, 2010 15:03:01 GMT
It occurs to me that if anybody has any questions for Mike Ferguson re his football days, he might be prepared to answer them.
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Post by QPR Report on Mar 13, 2010 15:42:45 GMT
Was noted on Indys how well Ferguson played in the cup game against Derby
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Post by QPR Report on Mar 13, 2010 22:21:49 GMT
Update: Yes Mike Ferguson has very kindly said that he will answer questions if anyone has any. Just post them and I will send them on to him.
(I'll post a couple of other things he just sent me re his QPR days later/tomorrow)
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Post by QPR Report on Mar 14, 2010 6:35:28 GMT
More From Mike Ferguson "Thanks for your email, I did read some of the return Comments,the Barnet one is funny,I dont have a barnet now. Regarding Terry [Venables] he was the biggest influence on the team, MORE THAN THE MANAGER, myself Terry and Rod used to plan free kicks,corners etc, he was a brilliant leader,even then is knowledge of the game was fantastic. One reply mentioned Gerry [Francis] and Martyn [Busby], not many people know, but one of the Managers was going to release one of them at the end of one season, I will not say which one,Terry had strong words with the Manager and they were both kept. Les Allen signed myself and Phil Parkes within a few weeks of each other, when I signed, we had former England players,Ron Springett, Barry Bridges, Terry, Frank Sibley had played for the under 23s,when there was so many great players around ,then of course Dave Clement went on to play with England along with Phil,Ian Gillard, and of course Gerry became England captain,and Rodney, we also had Don Givens for the Republic,we had good players, the problem was we liked to entertain,we had to with Rod in the side. I will answer any question should anyone ask. Best Regards Mike Ferguson Another time I will let you know about Jim Gregory.
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Post by Lonegunmen on Mar 15, 2010 7:38:28 GMT
I just read the Dave Thomas interview - Brilliant from Ticer. Hw was my 2nd favourite player (behind Phil Parkes) and I wonder what he thinks of the bunch at the club now on and off the pitch, I quote.....
QPRnet.com: Did you ever fancy staying in the game?
DT: I had a couple of years coaching the reserves with Portsmouth then Alan Ball came in and he did the dirty on me really. Me and Bally were totally opposites, if he had the choice he wouldn’t have appointed me but I was already there when he took over. He was asked if he’d be OK with me moving to Youth Team coach and he agreed.
We missed out on promotion in the first year and the Chairman called me in to say that because of financial reasons they couldn’t afford separate youth and reserve coaches so Graham Paddon, who’d been doing the reserves would do both jobs and they’d have to let me go. I thought that was fair enough then two weeks later Bally brought Peter Osgood in as Youth Team coach. That hurt me and I decided then that if that’s what football was like I wanted nothing more to do with it. I’m an honest bloke and I can’t stand all the skull duggary involved with football.
Yes, Dave, a man of scruples, sadly lacking from the club today.
Questions for Mike Fergusson? yep, Mike, What's your view on the type of no nonsense tackling of your era and where players took it, got up and carried on, compared to today's mamby pamby roll around like I've been shot players? Who was the hardest tackler you encountered, What did you think of the late Dave Clement and Mick Leach?
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Post by tightattheback on Mar 15, 2010 17:33:40 GMT
As a QPR mad spotty teenager I remember around about close season 1973 sitting in a cafe in Neasden one Saturday morning, and in walks none other than who I am convinced to this day was Mike Ferguson. Mike was actually delivering coal, I imagine those days they weren't the best paid! Would be nice if Mike could confirm this after nearly 40 years.
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Post by blockhead on Mar 15, 2010 17:35:45 GMT
welcome to the board Tatb.
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Post by Zamoraaaah on Mar 15, 2010 17:37:23 GMT
Welcome tightattheback.
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Post by QPR Report on Mar 15, 2010 18:20:41 GMT
Slight correction by QPR Report - From Mike Ferguson
"Just read a heading on your site,regarding Gerry Francis & Martyn Busby,one was not going to be sold,in them days when your contract ended you were free to go were you wanted."
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Post by cpr on Mar 15, 2010 19:03:06 GMT
Echo the welcome tatb, my grandad worked on the coal with jim gregory moons ago so maybe he recommended him. ;D
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Post by Lonegunmen on Mar 15, 2010 22:14:59 GMT
Awaits to see if story is confirmed. A fascinating moment from the past for sure.
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Post by QPR Report on Mar 15, 2010 23:29:51 GMT
And the answer from Mike Ferguson... "...It is quite true,wages were not good and in the summer I used to help a real die hard Rangers supporter Dennis Sergeant,him and is Brother Barry never missed a game home and away,they were great friends to me and my family,and it was a way of making extra money,another funny,we were delivering to a house in Harrow,I was black as the ace of spades,this man said to me 'your Ferguson arent you'I answered yes,he said no your not,brilliant." Mike And then Mike Ferguson added:"Imagine that story coming out after 40yrs,nobody at the Rangers ever new,even in them days I started with Dennis at 5-30am. Mike
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Post by Zamoraaaah on Mar 15, 2010 23:35:40 GMT
;D Great story and a helluva first post by tightattheback.
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Post by Lonegunmen on Mar 16, 2010 1:12:29 GMT
Still a bit uncomfortable with the user name but thats just my own insecurites coming to the fore. An excellent way to start off your posting on here and it is interesting to hear of such things from our past.
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Post by tightattheback on Mar 16, 2010 16:19:31 GMT
Thanks for the welcome, think I may have peaked a bit early with that post by the sound of things. How nice is that of Mike to clear that up for me after so long! Talking of TV organising the free kicks, do you remember Gerry standing in the opposition wall, TV would lob the ball just over the wall and Gerry would spin off and I remember him scoring at least twice with that free kick!
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Post by Lonegunmen on Mar 16, 2010 20:48:00 GMT
Or the Donkey Kick free kicks.
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Post by QPR Report on Mar 16, 2010 23:00:52 GMT
That's what made Venables so great: All his free kicks!
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Post by qpranger10 on Mar 18, 2010 20:15:05 GMT
After Rodney, Mick Ferguson was probably my favourite player of that era. A wonderfully gifted player and the perfect support act for our Rodney. I can remember well the Rodney hat trick in the (4-0) demolition of Birmingham. Mick crossed the ball for Rodney to head in one of the goals, a rare event because as everyone knows Rod never headed the ball as it hurt his head. I watched the interview with Mick on Match of the Day that night and the commentator also referred to the rare event of A Marsh header. Mick replied that Rodney only headed the ball when he crossed it, because he made sure the valve was always on the other side when Rod headed it. Don't know how try that was. Buit he indicated Mick's wonderful sense of humour.
There's a great mystery I've never ben able to solve. I can vividly remeber and evening friendly at Loftus Road against West Ham wherw we tore the Hammers to shreds but finished up with a 0-0 draw. We had numerous hits on the West Ham woodwork and at least 3 decent goals disallowed for one dubious reason or another. But the main feature of the evening was the antics of Rod and Mick . Both of them semed to spend the whole game getting the ball seeing how many defenders they could beat before nutmegging the great but bandy-legged Bobby Moore. Marsh would do it, then let Fergie have the ball. Fergie would do it then give the ball back to Rodney and thus it continued for large chunks of the game. The only way you could figure what was going on was to assume that the two jokers had had a bet about who could nutmeg Moore the most times. Was that true Mick and can you remember that game. I've looked in all the QPR records and I can't find a reference to that game. Idon't think I dreamt it, but if I did it was a wonderful dream. Thanks Mick for some wonderful memories of a wonderful player and a wonderful team. I really wish Mick had stayed at QPR longer than he did. He made us laugh and not many players these days can do that.
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Post by cpr on Mar 18, 2010 21:23:15 GMT
Great post qpranger10, I look forward to the answer. I can remember a 0-0 against wetspam but don't remember it as a friendly remember hitting the woodwork loads but I rhink it was a few years later but then my memory is shot.! Welcome by the way. ;D
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Post by Zamoraaaah on Mar 18, 2010 21:53:22 GMT
Echo that, great read qpranger10.
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