Duncan Ferguson wore the Everton number nine shirt with pride and it was the proudest moment of his career when he managed the club he so dearly loves.
A beacon of hope to so many during the club’s low points of the 90s. Such is the bond between Ferguson and Everton supporters, the Scot once described the club as: 'My family and my life'.
Ferguson is the ultimate Everton modern day great. A player worshipped by Blues for playing his part in some unforgettable Goodison Park moments.
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No-one will ever forget the night he scored against Manchester United. Or his brace against Charlton Athletic following his return to the club from Newcastle United.
However, on this day 28 years ago, the love affair between Everton and Ferguson started. A whole month after he initially joined the club on loan from Glasgow Rangers.
Arriving on Merseyside with Rangers team-mate Ian Durrant, Ferguson joined a club in crisis. Everton were rock bottom and heading down.
Signed by Mike Walker, it wasn’t long before Ferguson found himself playing for a new manager as the former Norwich City man was sacked. Walker’s dismissal had long been coming.
And two days after Walker’s departure, on November 10, 1994, former Blues forward Joe Royle quit Oldham Athletic to return to the club where he had served with such distinction in the 1960s and 70s. What followed was nothing short of incredible.
Everton didn't just survive. They played a brand of football which also saw them secure the last piece of silverware to grace Goodison.
The international break afforded Royle 11 days in order to assess his squad and prepare them for his first game in charge against Liverpool. What followed was the start of the great escape.
First, came a tactical switch after Royle had taken in the Anfield mini-derby during the international break. So impressed by what he had seen, the then Everton boss opted to pick John Ebbrell, Joe Parkinson and Barry Horne in midfield, with Andy Hinchcliffe coming in at left-back.
Ebbrrell, along with Horne and Parkinson formed Everton’s 'Dogs of War' - a phrase coined by Royle later in the season.
Then, there was Ferguson. The Scot was set to start for Everton barely 24 hours after he had been arrested on an alleged drink driving charge - at 1.20am on the Sunday morning.
Speaking at a Sportsman's Dinner back in 2014, Ferguson recalled what happened. He said: “It was quite funny – well, it was not funny – I had been out on the lash, know what I mean?"
“Have you been drinking?” he was asked. “No, no, no, I haven’t been drinking,” Ferguson replied.
Writing in the book, In Search of Duncan Ferguson, Alan Pattullo recalled what happened next. He wrote: “At the police station, Ferguson was put in a cell. Fortunately, some 'bluenose' police officers, hearing of their striker’s predicament, got involved and handed him jugs of water through the latch while a doctor was called. According to Ferguson, he was only 15 milligrams over the limit, though this surprised him. 'I don’t know how that happened – I had drunk five bottles of red wine!'
“Ferguson then asked why a doctor was needed. 'Because you only blew 15 milligrams over the limit. We are going to do a blood test,' he was told. 'I am thinking to myself: ‘Dearie me, take my blood?' says Ferguson. 'I was on the lash on Saturday, on Friday, on Thursday. Don’t take my blood, whatever you do.'
“They let him go at six in the morning. 'I am sure some of you have been there, like. They gave me my shoes back, I put my laces back in. And I am thinking: ‘I have a derby game tomorrow night, dearie me.’”
But while most Blues supporters remember what happened in the second-half, the opening 45 minutes left Royle wondering what all the fuss was about.
“He’d hardly kicked a ball for the club before I arrived,” he said. “Until about 50 minutes in against Liverpool on my debut game, I have to confess I was wondering what all the fuss was about.”
But one moment of madness from Neil 'Razor' Ruddock sparked the forward into action. “He got angry and he became unplayable,” Royle recalled after the Liverpool defender kicked Ferguson from behind as the end of the first-half approached.
Ferguson broke the deadlock from an inswinging Hinchcliffe corner on the hour mark, the net rippling with Liverpool keeper David James rooted to the spot. Rideout hit the post before Liverpool briefly threatened to get back into the tie with a spell of pressure, but the substitute had the rub of the green on 88 minutes, dispatching past James and sealing the win.
Bar a muted shout for a penalty in the 82nd minute, Liverpool could have no complaints. Everton were resolute in defence, pressed in midfield and took their chances up front.
"You wouldn't have known he had anything worrying him," Royle said afterwards. "He's a character and he can play.
"He obviously needs the big occasion and he thrived on it. He was absolutely terrific in the second half. He went to war in many ways and showed all the aggression we know he has, allied to his ability."
Ferguson scored in his next Goodison outing against Leeds, he scored twice against Crystal Palace - and another soaring Gwladys Street header against Manchester United. Everton comfortably finished midtable following their shambolic start to the campaign.
While Rideout was the hero again in the FA Cup Final in May, as the Blues claimed a shock 1-0 win over Manchester United to bring the FA Cup back to Goodison Park.
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