Jock Ferguson

Jack "Jock" Ferguson (September 17, 1887 in Dundee, Scotland – September 19, 1973 in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania), also known as John Ferguson,[1] was a Scottish American football (soccer) full back. He began his career in Scotland before moving to England, then the United States. He earned cap with the U.S. national team. He is a member of the National Soccer Hall of Fame.

For the Western Australian politician, see Jock Ferguson (politician).
Jock Ferguson
Personal information
Full name Jack Ferguson
Date of birth (1887-09-17)September 17, 1887
Place of birth Dundee, Scotland
Date of death September 19, 1973(1973-09-19) (aged 86)
Place of death Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, United States
Position(s) Full Back
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
Arbroath
St Johnstone
Dundee
1912 Leeds City 17 (0)
1912–1921 Bethlehem Steel
1921–1922 Philadelphia Field Club 22 (0)
1922–1923 J&P Coats 24 (0)
1923–1928 Bethlehem Steel 45 (0)
National team
1925 United States 1 (0)
* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only

Professional career

Ferguson began his career with Scottish club Arbroath F.C.. He then played for St Johnstone F.C. and Dundee F.C. before moving to England club Leeds City F.C. for the end of the 1911–1912 season. In 1912, he moved to the United States, eventually signing with Bethlehem Steel. There is no clear information on when he signed with Bethlehem but his first game was an exhibition match with the University of Pennsylvania on April 12, 1915.[2] From that game on, Ferguson became a regular on the Bethlehem game day rosters. From 1915 to 1919, Ferguson played in five consecutive National Challenge Cup finals as Bethlehem Steel won four, losing only the 1917 title game to the Fall River Rovers.[3] In the first few years of Ferguson's time with Bethlehem, the team competed in various amateur Pennsylvania leagues. In 1917, they joined the professional National Association Football League, winning three consecutive league titles from 1919 to 1921. In 1921, the first American Soccer League replaced the NAFBL. Bethlehem's owners decided to move the team to Philadelphia, renaming the team the Philadelphia Field Club for the 1921-1922 ASL season. Ferguson spent that season in Philadelphia, winning the first ASL league title. In 1922, he moved to J&P Coats. He won the 1922-1923 league title, giving him five league and four Challenge Cup titles. On September 8, 1923, he returned to Bethlehem, winning one last league title in the 1927.[4] However, by 1924, age and injuries had conspired to limit his playing time. While he continued to play sporadically, filling in when Bethlehem had injuries to its backline, until his retirement in 1928 at the age of forty-two, he spent most of his time as the team's trainer.[5] During his second stint with Bethlehem, he traded playing time with his younger brother, Davey Ferguson.[6]

National team

Ferguson earned one cap with the U.S. national team in a 1–0 loss to Canada on June 27, 1925.[7]

He was inducted into the National Soccer Hall of Fame in 1950.

See also

References
  1. Jarred, Martin; MacDonald, Malcolm (1986). Leeds United : a complete record, 1919-1986. Derby: Breedon Books Sport. ISBN 0-907969-17-8. OCLC 20934819.
  2. "April 12, 1925 The Globe". Archived from the original on October 26, 2009. Retrieved 2010-10-11.CS1 maint: bot: original URL status unknown (link)
  3. U.S. Open Cup at RSSSF Archived 2010-12-24 at WebCite
  4. "September 10, 1923 The Globe". Archived from the original on October 27, 2009. Retrieved 2010-10-11.CS1 maint: bot: original URL status unknown (link)
  5. "October 8, 1925 The Globe". Archived from the original on October 21, 2009. Retrieved 2010-10-11.CS1 maint: bot: original URL status unknown (link)
  6. "November 14, 1924 The Globe". Archived from the original on October 26, 2009. Retrieved 2010-10-11.CS1 maint: bot: original URL status unknown (link)
  7. U.S. International Results Archived 2010-01-17 at WebCite
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