Personal information | |||
---|---|---|---|
Full name | Robert Ferguson | ||
Date of birth | 1 March 1945 | ||
Place of birth | Ardrossan, Scotland | ||
Playing position | Goalkeeper | ||
Senior career* | |||
Years | Team | Apps | (Gls) |
1964–1967 | Kilmarnock | 73 | (0) |
1967–1980 | West Ham United | 240 | (0) |
1974 | → Sheffield Wednesday | 5 | (0) |
1982 | Adelaide City | 22 | (0) |
National team | |||
1965–1966 | Scotland | 7 | (0) |
1966–1967 | Scottish League XI | 2 | (0) |
* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only. |
Robert "Bobby" Ferguson (born 1 March 1945) is a Scottish former footballer, who played as a goalkeeper.
Born in Ardrossan, Ferguson came through Kilmarnock's youth system in the early 1960s, taking over in the first-team following an injury to Campbell Forsyth in 1964–65. He retained the goalkeeper's shirt for the rest of the season, at the end of which Kilmarnock claimed the Scottish league championship (for the first and only time) with a final day win over Hearts. Ferguson went on to make 73 league appearances for the club. During his time with Kilmarnock he won seven caps for Scotland.
Ferguson was transferred east London club West Ham United for a fee of £65,000 in 1967, which at the time was a world record fee for a goalkeeper. He made his Hammers debut against Sheffield Wednesday on 19 August 1967, the first game of the 1967–68 season.
Despite having to compete for the number one shirt with Peter Grotier and Mervyn Day, Ferguson still managed 276 appearances during his 13 years at West Ham. He spent time with Sheffield Wednesday on loan in 1973, making five appearances for them. The signing of Phil Parkes in February 1979 ultimately meant the end of his career at West Ham. He played his last game for the Upton Park club in a 2–1 defeat on 14 November 1979 against Chelsea, and left in 1980. He received a testimonial match in 1981, against Southampton, for which he earned £20,000. He also played reserve team football for West Ham as a winger.