Duncan Ferguson admitted that he 'feared for his life' during an incident which occurred while he served time in prison.
Ferguson, 53, played for the big clubs such as Newcastle United and Everton during his time in the Premier League, but grew up supporting Rangers before signing for them from Dundee United in 1994.
What appeared to be a dream move quickly turned into a nightmare for the Scot as he struggled to break into the first team.
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On April 16, 1994, Ferguson’s life changed forever when he became embroiled in an altercation with Raith Rovers defender John McStay.
Ferguson appeared to headbutt McStay, but he did not anticipate the consequences of his actions, as the referee did not even show him a caution.
Ferguson was later convicted of assault at Glasgow Sheriff Court after losing his appeal.
44 days in HMP Barlinnie ensued for the then 23-year-old.
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In his recent book titled ‘Big Dunc: The Upfront Autobiography’, he opened up about a moment he ‘feared for his life’ during his time inside.
“I was only 23, still a kid in many ways,” Ferguson explained.
“It was terrifying for anybody going into Barlinnie, but just imagine what it was like for someone who’d been a Rangers centre-forward and had played for Scotland and was a current Premier League player. A big target."
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He added: “I just lost my freedom, but I was determined not to lose my mind, ‘You’re strong,’ I told myself.”
The 53-year-old continued: “On the first evening, lights-out came at 10 pm prompt. But then the night sounds began. It wasn’t long before a thick, sinister Glaswegian voice cut the atmosphere like a knife.”
“‘You dirty orange b****rd Ferguson, I’m gonna kill ya,’” one prisoner screamed.
Another added: “‘You’ll get it in the morning, you big orange c**t, we’re gonna slash your f****** face’.”
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The former Rangers striker explained: “I sat on the end of my bed listening to all these threats shaking, ‘You’re getting cut tomorrow, Billy Boy… come out your cell you h** and we’ll knife ya’.
“On it went, I’m a Protestant, I played for a protestant club in Rangers, being in prison in Glasgow with half the joint supporting a catholic club, Celtic, meant sectarianism flowed through Barlinnie like sewage through a broken pipe.
“It was hard to deal with because it wasn’t how I was brought up by my mum and dad.”
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Ferguson was faced with a decision the next day. The Scot chose to leave his cell despite feeling that everyone was looking at him.
He explained how a voice then asked him if he wanted his haircut.
“The night before, everyone’s telling me I’m going to get cut to pieces and this boy has scissors… I felt all eyes on me,” Ferguson added.
“I felt sick to the pit of my stomach. This guy could stick his scissors in my throat… now I had a boy at my back with a pair of scissors in his hand, I was completely defenceless, [and] it was the most frightened I’d been in my life – my heart was jumping out of my shirt, absolutely pumping.”
Luckily for Ferguson, he returned to his cell unscathed and with a short back and sides.
Topics: Football, Rangers, Premier League, Everton, Newcastle United
Luke Davies