Willie was born in Muirkirk, Ayrshire to Daniel Ferguson, a coal miner, and Barbara, née Brown. He was still a child when his family moved to Kirkconnel, where he started in football with local junior side Kello Rovers.
He first joined fledgling Queen of the South in nearby Dumfries during season 1921–22, their third season after formation. He was the fourth of the players at the club in its first three seasons who would go on build successful careers in England's top division. He failed to complete the season at Queens as his talents attracted big name attention.
Willie signed for London club Chelsea. Between then and his departure in 1933 he made 294 first team appearances scoring 11 goals.
The club were relegated in 1923–24 and in four of the next five seasons were to narrowly miss out on promotion, finishing 5th, 3rd, 4th and 3rd. They finally reached the First Division again in 1929–30, where they were to remain for the next 32 years.
To capitalise on the 1930 promotion, the club spent £25,000 on three big-name players; Scots Hughie Gallacher, Alex Jackson and Alec Cheyne. Gallacher in particular was one of the biggest talents of his era, known for his goalscoring and for having captained Newcastle to a championship in 1926–27.
The FA Cup was to be the closest the club came to silverware. In 1932, the team secured impressive wins over Liverpool and Sheffield Wednesday, and were drawn against Newcastle United in the semi-finals. Tommy Lang inspired Newcastle to a 2–0 lead, before Gallacher pulled one back for Chelsea. The Blues laid siege to the United goal in the second half, but were unable to make a breakthrough and the Geordies went on to lift the trophy.
Willie returned to Scotland mid season and played 17 games in the second part of 1932–33 with St Bernard's FC. He re-joined Queen of the South as the club's notable signing in the summer of 1933 ahead of the club's debut season in Scottish Football's top division. They had been promoted as runners up to Hibernian the season before. Willie's brother Pearson Ferguson played five games for Queens between January and April of the previous season. The two never played in the same Queens team together.
As a player he was part of two landmark events in the history of Queen of the South:-
Queens highly successful first season in the top division finishing 4th - their highest finish to date. Queens also made it to the quarter finals of the Scottish Cup for the first time (a feat the club now counts into double figures).
He was part of the 16 player squad for the 11 game 1936 overseas tour and the Algiers invitational tournament. Queens returned with the trophy after beating Racing de Santander in the final
After combining playing with coaching the reserve side in the last year and earning much praise Willie took over from George McLachlan as Queens manager in 1937. He gave Jackie Oakes his first team debut shortly after taking over. His most notable result as manager was at Ibrox Park, the first time when Queens condemned Rangers to a league defeat
A popular figure at the club it was a surprise when he announced his resignation in the Summer of 1938. He wanted to focus on his confectionery and tobacconist business recently acquired from ex Queens goalkeeper George Woods.
Willie owned the tobacconist shop on Great King Street in Dumfries, where he died of a massive pulmonary embolism in 1960. His son Chris ran the business until the early 1990s.
He first joined fledgling Queen of the South in nearby Dumfries during season 1921–22, their third season after formation. He was the fourth of the players at the club in its first three seasons who would go on build successful careers in England's top division. He failed to complete the season at Queens as his talents attracted big name attention.
Willie signed for London club Chelsea. Between then and his departure in 1933 he made 294 first team appearances scoring 11 goals.
The club were relegated in 1923–24 and in four of the next five seasons were to narrowly miss out on promotion, finishing 5th, 3rd, 4th and 3rd. They finally reached the First Division again in 1929–30, where they were to remain for the next 32 years.
To capitalise on the 1930 promotion, the club spent £25,000 on three big-name players; Scots Hughie Gallacher, Alex Jackson and Alec Cheyne. Gallacher in particular was one of the biggest talents of his era, known for his goalscoring and for having captained Newcastle to a championship in 1926–27.
The FA Cup was to be the closest the club came to silverware. In 1932, the team secured impressive wins over Liverpool and Sheffield Wednesday, and were drawn against Newcastle United in the semi-finals. Tommy Lang inspired Newcastle to a 2–0 lead, before Gallacher pulled one back for Chelsea. The Blues laid siege to the United goal in the second half, but were unable to make a breakthrough and the Geordies went on to lift the trophy.
Willie returned to Scotland mid season and played 17 games in the second part of 1932–33 with St Bernard's FC. He re-joined Queen of the South as the club's notable signing in the summer of 1933 ahead of the club's debut season in Scottish Football's top division. They had been promoted as runners up to Hibernian the season before. Willie's brother Pearson Ferguson played five games for Queens between January and April of the previous season. The two never played in the same Queens team together.
As a player he was part of two landmark events in the history of Queen of the South:-
Queens highly successful first season in the top division finishing 4th - their highest finish to date. Queens also made it to the quarter finals of the Scottish Cup for the first time (a feat the club now counts into double figures).
He was part of the 16 player squad for the 11 game 1936 overseas tour and the Algiers invitational tournament. Queens returned with the trophy after beating Racing de Santander in the final
After combining playing with coaching the reserve side in the last year and earning much praise Willie took over from George McLachlan as Queens manager in 1937. He gave Jackie Oakes his first team debut shortly after taking over. His most notable result as manager was at Ibrox Park, the first time when Queens condemned Rangers to a league defeat
A popular figure at the club it was a surprise when he announced his resignation in the Summer of 1938. He wanted to focus on his confectionery and tobacconist business recently acquired from ex Queens goalkeeper George Woods.
Willie owned the tobacconist shop on Great King Street in Dumfries, where he died of a massive pulmonary embolism in 1960. His son Chris ran the business until the early 1990s.
Willie was born in Muirkirk, Ayrshire to Daniel Ferguson, a coal miner, and Barbara, née Brown. He was still a child when his family moved to Kirkconnel, where he started in football with local junior side Kello Rovers.
He first joined fledgling Queen of the South in nearby Dumfries during season 1921–22, their third season after formation. He was the fourth of the players at the club in its first three seasons who would go on build successful careers in England's top division. He failed to complete the season at Queens as his talents attracted big name attention.
Willie signed for London club Chelsea. Between then and his departure in 1933 he made 294 first team appearances scoring 11 goals.
The club were relegated in 1923–24 and in four of the next five seasons were to narrowly miss out on promotion, finishing 5th, 3rd, 4th and 3rd. They finally reached the First Division again in 1929–30, where they were to remain for the next 32 years.
To capitalise on the 1930 promotion, the club spent £25,000 on three big-name players; Scots Hughie Gallacher, Alex Jackson and Alec Cheyne. Gallacher in particular was one of the biggest talents of his era, known for his goalscoring and for having captained Newcastle to a championship in 1926–27.
The FA Cup was to be the closest the club came to silverware. In 1932, the team secured impressive wins over Liverpool and Sheffield Wednesday, and were drawn against Newcastle United in the semi-finals. Tommy Lang inspired Newcastle to a 2–0 lead, before Gallacher pulled one back for Chelsea. The Blues laid siege to the United goal in the second half, but were unable to make a breakthrough and the Geordies went on to lift the trophy.
Willie returned to Scotland mid season and played 17 games in the second part of 1932–33 with St Bernard's FC. He re-joined Queen of the South as the club's notable signing in the summer of 1933 ahead of the club's debut season in Scottish Football's top division. They had been promoted as runners up to Hibernian the season before. Willie's brother Pearson Ferguson played five games for Queens between January and April of the previous season. The two never played in the same Queens team together.
As a player he was part of two landmark events in the history of Queen of the South:-
Queens highly successful first season in the top division finishing 4th - their highest finish to date. Queens also made it to the quarter finals of the Scottish Cup for the first time (a feat the club now counts into double figures).
He was part of the 16 player squad for the 11 game 1936 overseas tour and the Algiers invitational tournament. Queens returned with the trophy after beating Racing de Santander in the final
After combining playing with coaching the reserve side in the last year and earning much praise Willie took over from George McLachlan as Queens manager in 1937. He gave Jackie Oakes his first team debut shortly after taking over. His most notable result as manager was at Ibrox Park, the first time when Queens condemned Rangers to a league defeat
A popular figure at the club it was a surprise when he announced his resignation in the Summer of 1938. He wanted to focus on his confectionery and tobacconist business recently acquired from ex Queens goalkeeper George Woods.
Willie owned the tobacconist shop on Great King Street in Dumfries, where he died of a massive pulmonary embolism in 1960. His son Chris ran the business until the early 1990s.
He first joined fledgling Queen of the South in nearby Dumfries during season 1921–22, their third season after formation. He was the fourth of the players at the club in its first three seasons who would go on build successful careers in England's top division. He failed to complete the season at Queens as his talents attracted big name attention.
Willie signed for London club Chelsea. Between then and his departure in 1933 he made 294 first team appearances scoring 11 goals.
The club were relegated in 1923–24 and in four of the next five seasons were to narrowly miss out on promotion, finishing 5th, 3rd, 4th and 3rd. They finally reached the First Division again in 1929–30, where they were to remain for the next 32 years.
To capitalise on the 1930 promotion, the club spent £25,000 on three big-name players; Scots Hughie Gallacher, Alex Jackson and Alec Cheyne. Gallacher in particular was one of the biggest talents of his era, known for his goalscoring and for having captained Newcastle to a championship in 1926–27.
The FA Cup was to be the closest the club came to silverware. In 1932, the team secured impressive wins over Liverpool and Sheffield Wednesday, and were drawn against Newcastle United in the semi-finals. Tommy Lang inspired Newcastle to a 2–0 lead, before Gallacher pulled one back for Chelsea. The Blues laid siege to the United goal in the second half, but were unable to make a breakthrough and the Geordies went on to lift the trophy.
Willie returned to Scotland mid season and played 17 games in the second part of 1932–33 with St Bernard's FC. He re-joined Queen of the South as the club's notable signing in the summer of 1933 ahead of the club's debut season in Scottish Football's top division. They had been promoted as runners up to Hibernian the season before. Willie's brother Pearson Ferguson played five games for Queens between January and April of the previous season. The two never played in the same Queens team together.
As a player he was part of two landmark events in the history of Queen of the South:-
Queens highly successful first season in the top division finishing 4th - their highest finish to date. Queens also made it to the quarter finals of the Scottish Cup for the first time (a feat the club now counts into double figures).
He was part of the 16 player squad for the 11 game 1936 overseas tour and the Algiers invitational tournament. Queens returned with the trophy after beating Racing de Santander in the final
After combining playing with coaching the reserve side in the last year and earning much praise Willie took over from George McLachlan as Queens manager in 1937. He gave Jackie Oakes his first team debut shortly after taking over. His most notable result as manager was at Ibrox Park, the first time when Queens condemned Rangers to a league defeat
A popular figure at the club it was a surprise when he announced his resignation in the Summer of 1938. He wanted to focus on his confectionery and tobacconist business recently acquired from ex Queens goalkeeper George Woods.
Willie owned the tobacconist shop on Great King Street in Dumfries, where he died of a massive pulmonary embolism in 1960. His son Chris ran the business until the early 1990s.
Gravesite Details
Cremated in Carlisle as it was the closest to Dumfries at the time.
Sponsored by Ancestry
Advertisement
See more Ferguson memorials in:
Advertisement
