A to Z: Duncan Ferguson - 'The original Everton hero'

The sixth episode of BBC Radio Merseyside's A to Z of Everton focuses on the letter F - so who else would they discuss but club legend Duncan Ferguson? The centre-forward made 273 appearances across two separate spells at Goodison Park, scoring 72 goals and contributing 15 assists. BBC Radio Merseyside's Phil Munns said: "Duncan Ferguson was a talismanic figure for Everton. For many fans of my generation, and even maybe some a little bit older, he was the original Everton hero. "Even though his goalscoring record might not be up there with the Graeme Sharp's of the game, there was just something about the way he wore his heart on his sleeve. "He was the big Scot. He was the battering ram. In his peak, he was an absolutely brilliant footballer as well as being a huge aerial threat." Ferguson initially joined Everton on loan in 1994, but manager Joe Royle made the move permanent when he took over from Mike Walker. The 6ft4in striker went on to score his first goal against Merseyside rivals Liverpool in Royle's first match as manager, and scooped up the one honour of his career - the 1995 FA Cup - that very same season. BBC Radio Merseyside's Ian Kennedy added: "He was a big guy so he was great in the air, but there was more to his game than that. "One of the things that helped him hit the ground running was his derby-day goal against Manchester United . When you do that, you are almost set for life. "He was a player for a big occasion. He scored some important goals against big sides in the Premier League. I would've hated to have had to mark him because he was such a trademark number nine figure, of old-school proportions really. "Injuries did get in the way and he probably should've scored more goals than he did, but he had that passion about him. He gave 100% and he demanded 100% of the people around him as well." Listen to the episode above by pressing play or on BBC Sounds here