Brighton's Evan Ferguson looks set for a bright future

Shrewd Brighton have struck gold again with Evan Ferguson… just 14 when he played against Chelsea in a pre-season friendly, the striker – dubbed ‘an Irish Phil Foden’ – has the world at his feet

• Evan Ferguson has burst onto the scene at Brighton in another shrewd signing
• The 18-year-old was dubbed ‘an Irish Phil Foden’ by his former youth coach
• Ferguson played against Chelsea at just 14 and is expected to go to the very top 

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.

With the match taking place during lockdown the stadium was virtually empty when Ferguson, Brighton’s teenage breakthrough starlet this season, scored.

It was ‘a brilliant striker’s finish, side-foot volley into the net’ his then manager Keith Long recalled, the sound of Ferguson’s contact on the ball echoing around Richmond Park.

Ferguson peeled away in celebration thinking he had just made history only to be stopped in his tracks when his effort was ruled out.

Evan Ferguson’s first goal for Bohemians against St Patrick’s Athletic was wrongly ruled out

The talented forward is now making an impact for Brighton in the Premier League

‘The referee probably won’t live it down because it’s being spoken about a little bit over here now,’ Long said.

‘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 explained.

‘It was so loud, such a clean connection, that the referee actually thought he put it in with his hand and disallowed it, whereas he 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 at the decision but I could also see the competitor in Evan.

‘He was so disappointed that he wasn’t going to break that record. It would have meant a lot to him.

‘You could see that winning mentality, the competitive streak in him 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 arrive.

An earlier occasion was another indication of his huge potential.

Physically advanced and with a maturity and talent beyond his years to match, Ferguson joined Bohemians at 14 from the renowned St Kevin’s Boys Club, predominantly played for their under-17s and held his own in first-team training.

So along with his parents and coaches, it was decided that handing him a senior debut aged just 14 in a first-team friendly against Chelsea – Frank Lampard’s first game in charge – seemed only a logical next step in his development.

Ferguson and his family pictured during his time at Bohemians prior to his switch to Brighton

The 18-year-old is now a senior Republic of Ireland international after impressing at youth level

Ferguson ‘did well against experienced Premier League footballers like Kurt Zouma’ and was involved in Bohemians’ goal in the 1-1 draw during his cameo off the bench.

Long said: ‘We knew Evan would have the right mentality, nothing would faze him. He wouldn’t be overawed.

‘In fact he would have relished the challenge and was probably thinking why didn’t I bring him on from the start possibly or earlier! It was great exposure for Evan.’

But not quite as good for Brighton. Ferguson had been flagged up to them by academy manager John Morling who worked for the FAI before joining Brighton and is key, along with scout Leroy McCourt – brother of former Celtic winger Paddy – to the Seagulls’ Irish links.

Ferguson is one of a number of Irish talents who joined Brighton thanks to Morling’s connections. Midfielder Andrew Moran is another prospect generating excitement.

‘Him and Evan are going to be really exciting for Irish football,’ former Brighton youth coach Mark Beard said. ‘Andrew is like an Irish Phil Foden.’

As for Ferguson’s Chelsea appearance, Beard said: ‘It was probably 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 all of the Premier League’s big six among those who made enquiries.

They had established a relationship with Ferguson, inviting him over to train during school holidays, and struck a gentleman’s agreement with the family so he would join them when he officially could at 16, leaving school early to go full-time at Brighton.

Then under-18s coach Beard said: ‘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. Probably the best player on the pitch at 14, doing things nobody else could. Brave, no fear, like the header against Leicester.

‘In one session, someone ran down the right, crossed, he’s around the six-yard box, jumped in the air with his left foot over the ball and volleyed it in with his right.

Ferguson scored a brace against Grimsby to help Brighton progress to the FA Cup semi-finals

‘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. Left foot, right foot, can play any position, score any type of goal. Complete player.

‘You read about players like Wayne Rooney, Ryan Giggs when they used to go over to train with first-team at a young age.

‘When senior players are saying “wow” you know a player is going to be good. Within two weeks of him coming over 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 18 year-old Ferguson’s emergence at the Amex this season.

He has seven goals and three assists in just 16 appearances, his latest two strikes against Grimsby helping Brighton into the FA Cup semi-finals.

Beard, now head of coaching at Dorking Wanderers, added: ‘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.’

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