Archibald Ferguson

This article is about the full back football player in the 19th century. For the Scottish footballer in the 20th century who played as goalkeeper with a similar name, see Archie Ferguson.

Archibald Ferguson
Personal information
Full name Archibald Ferguson
Place of birth Edinburgh, Scotland
Position(s) Full back
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
1887 Heart of Midlothian
1888–1891 Derby County 49 (0)
1891 Preston North End 0 (0)
1894 Ardwick 2 (0)
1895 Baltimore Orioles
*Club domestic league appearances and goals

Archibald Ferguson was a Scottish footballer who played in the English Football League for Manchester City and Derby County.[1]

Archibald Ferguson' first known football club was Hearts, from where Ferguson was born, Edinburgh. 1887–88 season was the most successful for Hearts since they formed in 1874. The team reached the fourth round of the Scottish Cup. There is no record as to whether Archibald Ferguson played in the Scottish Cup matches. In 1888 Archibald Ferguson was brought down from Scotland before the Football League began to bolster Derby County' defence. He was described as a "no-nonsense" type of defender who had the ability to clear his lines by achieving a long kick of the ball into the opponents half.[2]

Archibald Ferguson made his Club & League debut on 8 September 1888, playing as a full–back, at Pike's Lane, the then home of Bolton Wanderers. Derby County defeated the home team 6–3. Archibald Ferguson appeared in 16 of the 22 League matches played by Derby County in season 1888–89. As a full–back (15 appearances) he played in a Derby County defence that achieved one clean–sheet and restricted the opposition to one–League–goal–in–a–match on four separate occasions.[3]

Ferguson stayed with Derby County for three seasons leaving in 1891. He was signed by Preston North End but never played for them. There was a gap in his career from 1892 until 1894 when he played twice for Ardwick (later to become Manchester City). He left Ardwick and emigrated to USA.[4]

  1. ^ Joyce, Michael (2004). Football League Players' Records 1888 to 1939. SoccerData. p. 88. ISBN 1-899468-67-6.
  2. ^ Metcalf, Mark (2013). The Origins of the Football League. Amberley. p. 195. ISBN 978-1-4456-1881-4.
  3. ^ "English National Football Archive". Retrieved 12 January 2018. (registration & fee required)
  4. ^ Mortimer, Gerald (2004). Who's Who of Derby County. Breedon Books. p. 67. ISBN 1-85983-409-4.