No Matter how many goals Evan Ferguson goes on to score, he will never forget what should have been his first at senior level.
The goal that ultimately never was came in a Dublin derby appearance for Bohemians at St Patrick’s Athletic in 2020.
With the match taking place in lockdown, the stadium was virtually empty when Ferguson — Brighton’s 18-year-old breakout star who scored twice against Grimsby in the FA Cup at the weekend — hit the back of the net.
‘It was a brilliant striker’s finish, a side-foot volley,’ recalls his then manager, Keith Long.
Ferguson peeled away in celebration thinking he had just made history only to be stopped in his tracks when his effort was ruled out.
Brighton striker Evan Ferguson has scored seven goals in just 16 games so far this season
‘The referee probably won’t live it down because it’s being spoken about a bit over here now,’ Long adds. ‘Evan would have been the youngest scorer in the history of Bohemians and the League of Ireland Premier Division.’
So why wasn’t he? ‘The noise when it hit Evan’s instep was like the slap of a ball,’ Long says. ‘It was so loud that the referee thought he put it in with his hand and disallowed it, when he actually stretched with one of his telescopic legs to score a great goal.
‘After the game I could see the disappointment in Evan’s eyes. He was angry, so disappointed that he wasn’t going to break that record. You could see that winning mentality, and feel this was only the start for him.’
By that point, word of Ferguson’s talents had already got around Ireland and interest from beyond was also beginning to grow.
Physically advanced and mature beyond his years, Ferguson joined Bohemians at 14 from the renowned St Kevin’s Boys club. After holding his own in first-team training, he was handed a senior debut aged just 14 in a friendly against Chelsea — Frank Lampard’s first game in charge. Ferguson was involved in Bohemians’ goal in the 1-1 draw during his cameo off the bench.
‘He did well against experienced Premier League players,’ Long remembers. ‘We knew Evan would have the right mentality, nothing would faze him. In fact, he would have relished the challenge and was probably thinking why didn’t I start him or bring him on earlier! It was great exposure for Evan.’
But not quite as good for Brighton. Ferguson had already been flagged up to them by academy manager John Morling — who had worked for the FAI before joining the Seagulls.
The 18-year-old bagged a brace on Sunday as the Seagulls beat Grimsby 5-0 in the FA Cup
He made his senior debut aged just 14 when Bohemians faced Chelsea in a pre-season friendly
Ferguson is one of a number of Irish talents who joined Brighton thanks to Morling and scout Leroy McCourt’s connections. Midfielder Andrew Moran is another with huge potential.
‘He and Evan are going to be really exciting for Irish football,’ ex-Brighton youth coach Mark Beard says. ‘Andrew’s like an Irish Phil Foden.’ As for Ferguson’s Chelsea appearance, Beard adds: ‘It was the worst thing that could have happened for us because it alerted everyone to him.’
Thanks to their groundwork, though, Brighton were at the front of the queue, ahead of the Premier League’s Big Six. They had established a relationship with Ferguson, inviting him over to train during school holidays.
Even so, Beard, then Under 18s coach, had his doubts about putting a 14-year-old in to train with boys four years older.
‘I said, “He can’t train with us”. But John (Morling) said, “He’ll be fine, don’t worry”.
‘Then in his first session he blew everyone away. He was probably the best player on the pitch at 14, doing things nobody else could. He was brave, no fear. In one session, someone ran down the right, crossed, he jumped in the air with his left foot over the ball and volleyed it in with his right.
‘Everyone stopped and clapped. Wow. Straight away you could tell he was going to be special. It’s not just that he’s physically big — technically he’s good, too. He can play any position, score any type of goal. He’s a complete player.’
Former Brighton youth coach Mark Beard felt ‘only injury’ could stop Ferguson from becoming a star
Brighton had struck a gentleman’s agreement with Ferguson’s family that he would join them when he officially could at 16, leaving school early to go full-time with the Seagulls.
‘When senior players are saying “wow” you know a player is going to be good,’ Beard says. ‘Within two weeks of him coming over aged 16, he was already going up to train with the first team, they were already aware of him.’
The wider world are being made aware too following Ferguson’s emergence at the Amex this season. He has seven goals in just 16 appearances, his latest two against Grimsby sending Brighton into the FA Cup semi-finals.
Beard adds: ‘The only way he won’t get to where he should is if he gets an injury. It won’t be because of how he plays or his attitude.’