John Ferguson (Scottish footballer)

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For other persons named John Ferguson, see John Ferguson (disambiguation).

John Ferguson, sometimes known as Johnny or Jake, (1848 in Alexandria, West Dunbartonshire–6 September 1929) was a football player for Vale of Leven F.C. and Scotland, in the very early days of Scottish football in the 1870s.

Previously a noted shinty player and sprinter, Ferguson joined Vale of Leven in 1872. He was part of their great team which won the Scottish Cup three times in 1877-79. One year, after doing so, they travelled down to England and beat Wanderers F.C., the FA Cup winners. Although an important game in a way, the match was not advertised, and they had not decided beforehand whether to use the Scottish or English throw-in rule.

He played for Scotland six times (three times each against England and Wales) and scored a total of six goals, briefly holding the record for the most goals scored for Scotland. He was only the second player ever to score a hat trick for Scotland (against Wales).

In later years he ran a pub in Kilmarnock.

[edit] References

  • The Old Vale and its Memories
  • Rothman's Football Yearbook