Ferguson Robert Image 1 Middlesbrough 1927

Description

Blythswood Hill, Glasgow born centre half Robert Ferguson began his football career with Battlefield after the First World War and was on the books at Queen’s Park in 1920, without making their first eleven, also playing for Cambuslang Rangers the same year. He signed for First Division club Sunderland in 1921, making his debut in an FA Cup tie at Liverpool in January 1922, his only appearance of The Wearsiders’ 1921-22 campaign. His Football League debut came against Arsenal the same November as he enjoyed a three month run of a dozen matches in the team as Sunderland finished runners up in the League Championship. He played 18 further matches in their 1923-24 campaign as Sunderland finished third, scoring his only goal for them in a win at Notts County in January 1924, but after struggling for first team opportunities he was sold to Second Division club Middlesbrough in February 1925 after 36 appearances for Sunderland.

At Middlesbrough he soon established himself in their first eleven and played 34 matches during their 1926-27 campaign when they won the Second Division Championship. However they were immediately relegated in 1927-28, when he missed only 7 matches, before again winning the Second Division Championship in 1928-29, after which he switched to right back. He then lost his regular place in February 1930 and played only 4 more matches before the end of the season and 3 times at the start of their 1930-31 campaign before leaving Ayresome Park having scored twice in 149 matches for Middlesbrough. After unsuccessful trial spells with Crystal Palace and Barrow in 1932, he joined Cheshire County League club Northwich Victoria in 1932, bis final club before his eventual retirement.