Drew Ferguson, Fort William | |
16 May 2013 Everyone at Skye Camanachd would like to pass on their condolences to the family and friends of former Fort William player, Drew Ferguson who tragically passed away on Wednesday 15 May 2013. The popular 24 year old had worked for offshore firm Technip for about six months after moving from the BSW Timber mill at Corpach, where he was a planer. Dozens of tributes were paid to him by grieving former teammates and friends on social networking sites yesterday. Drew Ferguson is thought to have been the youngest player to score a goal for the Fort William first team when he netted after coming on as a substitute, aged just 14. He was also one of the youngest captains of the club’s second team and led his side to victory in the Sutherland Cup at the age of 17 when they beat Glenorchy 6-0 in the 2006 final. A year later and Drew was a member of the successful Fort William squad which won the Scottish Hydro Camanachd Cup under Drew McNeil’s tenure as he ran Inveraray ragged in a 3-1 victory. He also lifted shinty’s most famous trophy in 2008 and 2009. Drew scored twice as Fort William beat Inveraray 2-0 in the 2010 Scottish Hydro Camanachd Cup semi final but a broken ankle ended his season. That was to be his last game for the club. Drew gained representative honours at youth level and first named in Donnie Martin’s Scotland U21 squad in 2008. After recovering from injury, Drew played football in the Highland League for his local team Fort William. Fort William Shinty Club Chairman Richard Gall said, “The club is devastated. Drew came right up through the youth teams with us and was a very popular player. The last game he played for us was in 2010 in a semi-final against Inveraray. He scored two goals in that game.” Drew was coached through his early years by Fort William youth coach Jock Sneddon who added, “Drew was an outstanding player and he would have certainly gone to the top if he had stayed at the game. He shone from a very young age and was a smashing team player. He was one of these guys that, coming back on the bus from a game, win or lose, would be always be singing and carrying on, boosting morale.” Both Fort William fixtures on Saturday 18 May 2013 have been cancelled as a mark of respect. Funeral arrangements are yet to be confirmed. |