Brighton’s Evan Ferguson, dubbed ‘an Irish Phil Foden’, looks set for a bright future 

No matter how many goals Evan Ferguson scores, he will never forget what should have been his first at senior level.

The goal that ultimately never came came in a Dublin derby appearance for Bohemians at St Patrick’s Athletic.

Since the match took place during lockdown, the stadium was virtually empty when Ferguson, Brighton’s big teenage star this season, scored.

It was “a brilliant finish from the striker, side-foot volley into the net,” recalled his then-coach Keith Long, the sound of Ferguson’s contact with the ball echoing through Richmond Park.

Ferguson walked away in celebration thinking he had just made history only to stop dead when his effort was scrapped.

“The ref probably won’t live it up because there’s a little bit of talking going on here now,” Long said.

‘Evan would have been the youngest goalscorer in Bohemians and League of Ireland history [Premier Division].’

So why wasn’t he?

“The noise when it hit Evan’s instep was like a ball being hit,” Long explained.

‘It was so strong, such a clean connection, that the referee really thought he had handed it in and nullified it, while reaching out with one of his telescopic legs to score a great goal.

‘After the game I could see the disappointment in Evan’s eyes. I was angry about the decision, but I could also see the competitor in Evan.

“I was so disappointed that I 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 like this was just the beginning for him.”

By this time, word of Ferguson’s talents had already spread throughout Ireland and interest from beyond was beginning to arrive as well.

An earlier occasion was another indication of his enormous potential.

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

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

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

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

‘In fact, he would have loved the challenge and was probably thinking why I didn’t bring him in early on, possibly or sooner! It was great exposure for Evan.’

But not so good for Brighton. Ferguson had been singled out 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 several Irish talents who joined Brighton thanks to Morling’s connections. Midfielder Andrew Moran is another prospect generating excitement.

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

Regarding Ferguson’s appearance at Chelsea, Beard said: “It was probably the worst thing that could have happened to 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 big six among those who made inquiries.

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

Then under-18 coach Beard said: ‘I said ‘he can’t train with us’ but John [Morling] He said, “He’ll be fine. Don’t worry.”

Then, in her first session, she left everyone speechless. He was probably the best player on the pitch at 14, doing things no one else could do. Brave, without fear, like the header against Leicester.

“In one session, someone ran down the right, crossed, went around the penalty box, jumped in the air with their left foot on the ball and volleyed it with their right.

Everyone stopped and applauded. Wow. You could tell immediately that it was going to be special.

It’s not just that he’s physically great, he’s also technically good. Left foot, right foot, he can play in any position, score any type of goal. complete player.

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

‘When veteran players say ‘wow’, you know a player is going to be good. Two weeks after his arrival he was already going up to train with the first team, they were already watching him.

The world at large is also taking notice after the 18-year-old Ferguson’s appearance at the Amex this season.

He has seven goals and three assists in just 16 appearances, his last two goals against Grimsby helping Brighton reach the FA Cup semi-final.

Beard, now head of training at Dorking Wanderers, added: “The only way he won’t get to where he should be is if he gets injured.” It won’t be because of his way of playing or his attitude.’