Evan Ferguson F Roma (loan from Brighton) b.2004

**tetsujin1979** · 17/07/2025, 11:13 AM

Reportedly it affected John Paul Kelly, if you remember that name, really badly at Liverpool

**elatedscum** · 17/07/2025, 12:07 PM

Joxer was incredibly talented, potentially a generational player, but the stuff he was up to before leaving and after coming home, I don’t think any pathway was likely to save him.

Got sent home early from two trials for joyriding at United (also in the car is an ex Ireland international who I think is currently in prison) and punching a big academy star at Spurs.

At Liverpool, he got suspended for being found with serious contraband in his room in diggs. He decided to go home and not come back, despite both Rafa and Steven Gerrard intervening to try convince him to come back.

Had to wait a good while to sort his contract situation with Liverpool, then signs for Bohs at 18. Plays there from 18-21, not sure why he left but at 21, he signed for Drogheda and the manager catches him smoking weed in his car before training and his contract is cancelled.

Retires at 21 and last I heard, was driving a taxi.

**seanfhear** · 17/07/2025, 12:14 PM

Originally Posted by elatedscum

Joxer was incredibly talented, potentially a generational player, but the stuff he was up to before leaving and after coming home, I don’t think any pathway was likely to save him.

Got sent home early from two trials for joyriding at United (also in the car is an ex Ireland international who I think is currently in prison) and punching a big academy star at Spurs.

At Liverpool, he got suspended for being found with serious contraband in his room in diggs. He decided to go home and not come back, despite both Rafa and Steven Gerrard intervening to try convince him to come back.

Had to wait a good while to sort his contract situation with Liverpool, then signs for Bohs at 18. Plays there from 18-21, not sure why he left but at 21, he signed for Drogheda and the manager catches him smoking weed in his car before training and his contract is cancelled.

Retires at 21 and last I heard, was driving a taxi.

Some lads take the way out of " If only the, drink / drugs / other, hadn't got me then sure maybe I could have made it "

Anyway it's a very tough competitive " game / business " ~ ~ How many people could actually handle the pressure of it ~ ~ The dreams of yourself and maybe some of your family ~ ~ The injuries ~ ~ And then what are the actual % chances of making it, even if you have everything going for you ? !

**Kingdom** · 17/07/2025, 1:09 PM

Originally Posted by tetsujin1979

Reportedly it affected John Paul Kelly, if you remember that name, really badly at Liverpool

The irony of the poster you're replying to (essentially) is possibly not lost.
Joxer was one of my favourite players - an incredible talent. Anyone who grew up in the part of Dublin he's from and was remotely interested in football knew the rumours, the associations he allegedly had and the consequences for those.
A waste no doubt, but even for all that, still fondly remembered.

**Razors left peg** · 17/07/2025, 1:55 PM

Its not a one size fits all. It suits some to stay in LOI but that isn't necessarily the same for everyone

**Exgrad** · 17/07/2025, 3:57 PM

Roma leading chase for Ferguson ahead of Fiorentina, according to usually reliable Mike McGrath of the Telegraph. Bournemouth and Ipswich both interested too. Sounds like a few decent options there anyway for Ferguson.

**elatedscum** · 17/07/2025, 4:07 PM

Originally Posted by Razors left peg

Its not a one size fits all. It suits some to stay in LOI but that isn't necessarily the same for everyone

i think exactly this. there are clubs better and worse for developing players in every country including Ireland. Different positions may progress better at home (centre backs and big centre forwards might be able to play first team football earlier in Ireland as opposed to your smaller players), equally different leagues abroad suit different types of players and different positions. Who is the last midfielder we have produced at an international level from LOI?

Also, maybe sometimes a player's natural attributes are enough to carry him one way or another. If you compare Nathan Collins and Jake O'Brien. Born 2 weeks apart, Nathan moved as 14 year old across to Stoke. He made his debut in the championship at age 17 and captianed the side at 18. Age 20, he signs for Burnley to play in the premier league for £12m. After a season at Burnley, he signs for Wolves at age 21 for just over £20m. A season later, he signs for Brentford for a club record of £23m. Nathan plays every minute for Brentford last season.

Meanwhile Jake breaks into the Cork team aged 19, he plays 9 LOI games before moving on loan to Crystal Palace (age 19). At age 20, Palace make the deal permanent. Later that season, he goes on loan to Swindon in League 2 and age 21, he goes on loan to the belgian second division. Age 22, he signs for Lyon for £1m and really succeeds there before signing for Everton age 23 for £17m raising to £22m. Jake breaks into Everton once Moyes takes over and starts 17 of the last 18 premier league games.

Both have ended up at good premier league teams, playing really well. I wonder if you'd flipped their roles around, and if Nathan stayed at home and Jake left early, if it all would have worked out the same...

**SkStu** · 17/07/2025, 4:07 PM

Originally Posted by Kingdom

The irony of the poster you're replying to (essentially) is possibly not lost.
Joxer was one of my favourite players - an incredible talent. Anyone who grew up in the part of Dublin he's from and was remotely interested in football knew the rumours, the associations he allegedly had and the consequences for those.
A waste no doubt, but even for all that, still fondly remembered.

He was worth the price of admission into Dalyer alone during that period. Generational talent. Far too good for the league back then.

**rebelmusic** · 17/07/2025, 7:30 PM

That's a really good sign if they're willing to take that much of a 'risk'. Great news all around imo

**rebelmusic** · 18/07/2025, 3:43 PM

Ipswich apparently on the wings if the Roma deal doesn't work out. I'd like to see what McKenna could do for his confidence

**Razors left peg** · 18/07/2025, 3:53 PM

Originally Posted by rebelmusic

Ipswich apparently on the wings if the Roma deal doesn't work out. I'd like to see what McKenna could do for his confidence

That would be quite the downgrade from Roma

**Eirambler** · 18/07/2025, 4:03 PM

I still find it odd that clubs like Bournemouth and Brentford are seen as more desirable options for players these days than Lazio and Roma, but that's where we are.

**Razors left peg** · 18/07/2025, 5:55 PM

Originally Posted by Eirambler

I still find it odd that clubs like Bournemouth and Brentford are seen as more desirable options for players these days than Lazio and Roma, but that's where we are.

Premiership money innit bruv