John Ferguson (footballer, born 1848)

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 played as a forward for their great team which won the Scottish Cup three times in 1877, 1878 and 1879. In 1878, after doing so, they travelled down to England and beat Wanderers F.C., the FA Cup winners, 3-1. 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 five goals.

In later years he ran a pub in Kilmarnock.

References

• The Old Vale and its Memories
• Rothman's Football Yearbook
• Cavallini The Wanderers F.C.

External links

• John Ferguson at the Scottish Football Association
• London Hearts profile
• article on the Vale team including a photo of him