John Ferguson

Who was John Ferguson?

John Ferguson, sometimes known as Johnny or Jake, 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. 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 and scored a total of five goals.

In later years he ran a pub in Kilmarnock.