Rangers legend Duncan Ferguson regrets ever drinking and infamous Anstruther night
"I've never actually said, 'I've stopped drinking'. I don't count the days since I last had a drink. I'm not in rehab."
Rangers legend Duncan Ferguson, who quit drinking at 37, has admitted any time there had been trouble in his life, alcohol has been involved.
The now 53-year-old had a few notable scraps during his playing days, including an infamous incident at the Royal Hotel in Anstruther, a quiet fishing village on the Fife coast.
Then aged 21, he was attending a Young Player of the Year event and described himself as: 'Like a big, daft softie, I was too easily led astray.'
The Mirror reports the Premier League legend was buying a round when someone with him got into a confrontation with another person.
As Ferguson split them up, a "big man" on a stool at the bar got involved. Ferguson said they did not want any trouble but the man replied: ''Well, I'll f***ing give you…"
Dunc recalled: 'He never got the word out of his mouth. As he made to get up from his stool, I sensed what was coming and didn't wait. Boom. The fella slid off his stool and all hell broke loose. It was like the Wild West."
At 4am police called round where he was staying with officers asking: "Is Duncan Ferguson here?"
Looking back, Ferguson says: 'I was there all right. Laid out on the sofa, rotten, stinking drunk, buck naked aside from a pink hat someone had given me earlier that was still on my head.
"I had lipstick on, an earring and a silk glove. And nothing else. It was a strange night.
'At some point I'd got into fancy dress. I still don't know when.
"The police took one look at me and said, 'We'll come back later.' Which they did."
Ferguson regrets the stress and anguish he must have put his parents through.
Join the Daily Record WhatsApp community!
Get the latest news sent straight to your messages by joining our WhatsApp community today.
You'll receive daily updates on breaking news as well as the top headlines across Scotland.
No one will be able to see who is signed up and no one can send messages except the Daily Record team.
All you have to do is click here if you're on mobile, select 'Join Community' and you're in!
If you're on a desktop, simply scan the QR code above with your phone and click 'Join Community'.
We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like.
To leave our community click on the name at the top of your screen and choose 'exit group'.
If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice.
And now he admits: "I now know as a parent how worrying it is when the phone goes late at night. My kids can't remember the drinking. I just tell them I never had a drink.
"My two lads don't drink. Once I stopped drinking, I stopped the nights out, I stopped putting myself in dangerous positions. I know I've become a better person sober.
"But you know what? I've never actually said, ' I've stopped drinking '. I don't count the days since I last had a drink. I'm not in rehab.
'Maybe one day I'll start drinking again. Maybe one day I'll be a great manager and Everton will win the Premiership.
"If I'm offered a glass of champagne I might think, 'You know what? I'll have a nice glass of champagne!' Maybe.'
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Reuters
an hour ago
- Reuters
Michael Soroka leads combined two-hitter as Nats beat Rangers
June 7 - Michael Soroka threw six scoreless innings and Alex Call homered to propel the Washington Nationals to a 2-0 victory over the visiting Texas Rangers on Friday. Soroka (3-3) allowed just two hits while striking out seven and walking one for the Nationals, who had dropped three of four games prior to the series opener. The Washington bullpen kept Texas hitless for the final three innings. Closer Kyle Finnegan retired the first two Rangers he faced in the ninth before Marcus Semien reached on CJ Abrams' fielding error. Finnegan got Jake Burger to pop out to end the game, securing his 18th save of the season. Patrick Corbin (3-5) -- a former Nationals pitcher -- threw an eight-inning complete game, allowing two earned runs on five hits, striking out two and walking none. Adolis Garcia and Josh Smith each tallied a hit for the Rangers, who dropped their fourth straight game. Washington struck first in the bottom of the second as Nathaniel Lowe and Call began the inning with singles before Robert Hassell III drove in the game's first run with a groundout. Garcia's two-out single in the top of the fifth marked the Rangers' first hit and only their second baserunner after Kyle Higashioka was hit by a pitch in the third. Corbin cruised through the bottom of the fifth with a five-pitch inning. Smith laced a one-out single in the sixth while Corey Seager worked a two-out walk, but Soroka escaped the jam by inducing Semien's flyout. Brad Lord relieved Soroka in the seventh, retiring Burger and Evan Carter on two pitches before getting Garcia to pop out to end the inning. Jose Ferrer added a perfect eighth. Call doubled Washington's lead in the seventh with a 407-foot solo shot -- his first of the year. --Field Level Media
Scottish Sun
4 hours ago
- Scottish Sun
Rangers linked Davide Ancelotti ‘makes major decision on his future as he lands new job'
Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) RANGERS managerial contender Davide Ancelotti has reportedly joined his legendary father Carlo at Brazil. Ancelotti was one of the front runners to take over from Philippe Clement at Ibrox, but missed out on landing the job to former Southampton boss Russell Martin. Sign up for the Rangers newsletter Sign up 2 Davide Ancelotti at Real Madrid Credit: Getty 2 Davide is teaming up with his legendary father Carlo at Brazil Credit: Reuters The 39-year-old was appointed the new manager on Thursday and vowed to win over his doubters. Transfer guru Fabrizio Romano claims on Friday, Davide Ancelotti has made a major decision on his future and is teaming up with his dad Carlo once again. He posted on Twitter: "Davide Ancelotti joins Brazil staff with his father Carlo, decision made and contract signed." Ancelotti has already been his father's number two at Real Madrid, Napoli, Bayern Munich and Everton. But it appeared he was set to go out on his own at Rangers after months of speculation linking him with the top job at Ibrox. He had indicated that Rangers were his preferred choice but had a number of options to consider, with Spanish second division side Deportivo and Swiss outfit Basel reportedly interested. One of those other opportunities also included rejoining his father at Brazil after leaving Real Madrid and that's the decision he has reportedly made. Carlo Ancelotti's first match in charge of Brazil ended in a 0-0 draw with Ecuador on Thursday, which he still described as a "special" occasion. Chances were at a premium, with Brazil only mustering two shots on target. He said after the game: "I think the pitch conditions here made it a bit tricky to play a more intricate game from the back. "It was harder to control the ball. "That said, we had two very good chances, with Vinicius Jr, with Casemiro in the second half. "Yes, we could've done better in attack, but you've also got to take into account the strength of the opponent. "Ecuador played a very good game, just as we did... The journeys here are really long, that takes its toll a bit." Rangers fans react to news Russell Martin is their new manager The draw keeps them fourth in World Cup qualification in South America with an encounter against Paraguay to come. The top six automatically qualify for next year's showpiece. Keep up to date with ALL the latest news and transfers at the Scottish Sun football page
Daily Record
4 hours ago
- Daily Record
Steve Clarke admits Cieran Slicker wasn't ready for Scotland debut as boss issues goalkeeping SOS for Liechtenstein
With Liam kelly injured, Clarke will take teenager Callan McKenna and try to find a more experienced option who isn't on holiday Steve Clarke admits Cieran Slicker wasn't ready for his Scotland debut as he sent out a goalkeeping SOS for any Scottish keepers still in the country. Slicker was thrown in at the deep after just a couple of minutes of the 3-1 friendly defeat at home to Iceland. Angus Gunn suffered an injury with his first involvement and after Rangers stopper Liam Kelly had pulled out of the warm up, Slicker was given the nod from the bench ahead of Kilmarnock's Robby McCrorie. Ipswich keeper Slicker has played just NINE minute of football over the course of the season and it showed, as he sclaffed a clearance for Iceland's first goal, fumbled a corner that saw Lewis Ferguson put past him for the second and let Victor Palsson's header go straight through him for the third. With veteran Craig Gordon injured along with Tyencastle understudy Zander Clark, the Scotland boss isn't sure where he's going to find another one at this stage before flying to Liechtenstein for Monday's game. He'll try and find one to take alongside kid gloves Callan McKenna, but did admit he had sympathy for Slicker after a debut to forget. "It's difficult for Cieran. I feel for him," said Clarke. "He got thrown into a situation where he maybe wasn't quite ready for it. But Craig's injured, Liam Kelly's injured, Zander Clark was injured. "I mentioned back in March that it was something I thought might come back to bite us. The only good thing is it came in a friendly match. "I don't know (about Gunn's injury). If he comes off in the first couple of minutes then I imagine he's not going to play the next game. For sure I'll try and call up another goalkeeper. I've had young Callan McKenna who's just turned 18-years of age, training with us and he'll travel. I'll see if I can find another one somewhere in Scotland that's not on holiday. "It was a disappointing night didn't get off to a great start , we lost our No2 goalie in the warm up and then we lost our No1 goalie after a couple of minutes. We then immediately compound that by conceding the first goal. That made it difficult. "We created some chances then got back in the game. But conceded another poor goal which makes it a difficult night."
