I hope my wee brother Barry ends up playing for Accies

Oct 19 2006 By Andy McGilvray

DEREK Ferguson this week admitted he hopes younger brother Barry will one day follow in his footsteps and play for Hamilton.

Ferguson (39), admits that Accies have played a major part in his life and, after taking Barry to Douglas Park as a youngster, hopes the club has left an impression.

Barry is often seen at New Douglas Park when not involved with Rangers or Scotland, and admitted in recent press reports that he would like a chance to pull on the red and white of his home-town team.

And Derek said: “Barry seems to be following in my footsteps for a lot of things, and I think a lot of what he said goes back to the fact that I took him to watch Accies.

“Barry knows that was a big part of my growing up, and when he was a wee fella I took him to the old Douglas Park, before I brought him in at Rangers and all of that.

“Hopefully Barry is thinking about playing at some point, but I don’t think the money is quite there right now!

“I’ve got a lot of friends that are attached to Accies, so it’s not just about football — it’s a social thing, and Accies have played a big part in my life.

“It would be nice if maybe Barry could become Hamilton manager one day and I can be in the background — even as kit-man.”

Derek was disappointed that things didn’t work out for him at Hamilton, but is pleased with the direction the club is heading in.

He said: “I’ve made it well-known that as a boy I used to go to Douglas Park when I was a pupil at Earnock High and got my chips from Equi’s.

“I always wanted to play with Accies, but the knee that forced me to retire meant I had a problem right at the start.

“Like a lot of things in life, when you really look forward to something and it just doesn’t pan out the way you want it to, it’s really disappointing.

“When I got a two-year contract at Accies in 2003 I was absolutely delighted.

“I hoped in the back of my mind that I would even have a part to play in the future, whether it was helping out with the youngsters or whatever.

“But I’m glad that Accies are going down the youth route because there’s a lot of talent, not just in Hamilton but Lanarkshire, and they seem to be picking up on it.

“Accies are never going to have crowds of 5000 or 6000 — they will have their hardcore of 1500-2000, and that’s why I think Ronnie MacDonald is going about it the right way, in producing their own young players rather than spending.”

Ferguson moved to Raith Rovers in season 2005/06 but was forced to retire through injury, and helped Albion Rovers manager Jim Chapman for a spell before being appointed assistant to Gerry Britton at Stranraer during the summer.

Ferguson is grateful to both, for helping steer him out of the despair at being forced to quit the game he loves.

“I still wanted to play for another couple of years,” said Ferguson, “and I went through two or three months when I was on a wee bit of a ‘downer’.

“Jim Chapman asked me to go over to Albion and I was delighted at that — I know him through coaching and he’s been a big influence on me, so I’ve got a lot of respect for Jim.

“But then, during the summer there, when I was actually on holiday, I heard that Gerry had got the job at Stranraer and an offer came out of the blue.

“It was a hard decision to leave Albion, as I had actually sorted out what I would be doing in pre-season there, but it was a decent offer — a two-year contract.

“I’ve known Gerry from my Dunfermline days and I was delighted to go to Stranraer.

“We’re a young and up-and-coming management team and it’s a good chance for us.

“Plus, I knew with Gerry that there would never be a dull moment — sometimes boys forget that football is all about enjoying themselves, and we try and make it as much fun for the guys as possible, both in games and training.

“Assistant manager is a great role, because you’re the buffer between the players and manager.

“After being boss at Clydebank I decided I didn’t want to be in management, because I learned that it isn’t just about picking a football team — far from it.

“There are a lot of other issues that go on within a club, and that put me off management, but maybe somewhere down the line I would like to get back into it.”

Ferguson has also penned an autobiography, titled ‘Big Brother’, which he wrote with journalist and broadcaster Bill Leckie.

Ferguson revealed it wasn’t his first venture into publishing, but is glad to have his memoirs recorded.

He said: “About three or four years ago, I knew I was coming to the end of my career and came up with an idea that myself and Barry would write a book.

“I thought it would have been a really good book to do together, and we were in the process of starting it when Barry pulled out, which I was really disappointed about.

“It had always been in the back of my mind though, and I spoke to Des McKeown, who I know from a brief spell at Partick, he put me in touch with people, and got it going.

“I had a lot of things I wanted to get off my chest, and one thing that people who have read the book say to me is that it’s really honest.

“But that’s just the way I am. If I see something I’ll call it and tell the truth.

“I don’t see the point in mucking about, telling fibs or lies.

“And that’s what the book is all about — honesty.

“Being honest, I have regrets from my career. I wish that when I was younger I had a big brother that could have advised me, or even an agent, which I never used.

“I was capped twice for Scotland and it’s a regret that I listened to certain people and didn’t go and earn more.

“But I was capped for my country at under-15s right up until captaining the 21s and then played for the national team.

“So I can look back on it and say that I did all right for a wee guy who came from Glasgow and moved to Hamilton.”