Daily Mirror (Northern Ireland)
LARNE’S DESTINY AWAITS
WHEN your dad netted 563 goals in over 1,000 appearances in Northern Irish football, forging a name for yourself can be a tricky process.
But that is exactly what Matthew Ferguson, son of former Glenavon and Linfield hero Glenn, is doing with six goals in his first five appearances for H&W Welders.
“At the start of my career, I was always Glenn Ferguson’s son and never Matthew Ferguson,” the 23-year-old told Match On Tuesday.
“But as the years go on and I have developed my own game, I’m creating more of a name for myself in my own right by scoring a lot of goals.
“Now fewer people talk about me in relation to my dad and more about just myself, my own ability and what I can do.
“Nobody wants to be remembered as somebody else and you only want to be known as yourself, and I know that if I can keep my performances up and continue to score goals that will happen.
“I’ve never tried to let it affect me but the reality is sometimes you think about it a little bit because it’s what you hear.
“My dad hates it more than me because he doesn’t think it’s fair, but I just try to concentrate on what I need to do and if I can keep that up, my future will be bright.”
Matthew played under his dad at the beginning of his career at Ballymena United but a knee injury limited first team opportunities and he joined Dundela in 2016.
“He is the perfect role model for me, and I know I can always ask him for advice,” Ferguson continued.
“He’s always up front with me and has been such a strong part of my career, because he has praised me through the ups but he has helped me pick myself up when I’ve been on a down.
“My recent move to the Welders was partly because of his influence too because he told me I was good enough, but I could only realise that potential if I realised that myself.
“I’m so grateful that my dad is the role model that he is for me, because it helps me along so much in my career.
“He tries to get down to every game he can get to, even though he has his role with Linfield, and after every game I ask him straightaway how I did today and he is always upfront and honest with me.
“Having him there gives me great confidence going into every match because I know that will help me.”
In 2017, Ferguson secured a move to Lisburn Distillery where he was converted from a midfielder into a striker, where his fine form caught the eyes of clubs in the divisions above.
Last month he made the switch to top six Championship club H&W Welders, where he has hit the ground running with six goals in five appearances.
“As a young footballer you’re always looking to progress and make the step up,” explained Ferguson (right).
“I had a great