Striker never wanted to join Newcastle United - forced to leave ‘club that suited’ him

Ruud Gullit took the Scot to Tyneside in 1998 and the move appeared as initial masterstroke as he bagged a debut brace against Wimbledon. A hernia injury, however, ruled Ferguson out for most of the campaign, although he featured in the 2-0 FA Cup final defeat to Manchester United.

Ferguson remained under Sir Bobby Robson for his first season as Toon boss and played a vital role in another FA Cup run. That was until a semi-final defeat to Chelsea crushed those silverware hopes - with the target man moving on months later.

The now 53-year-old scored 12 goals across all competitions in 41 games - a modest return given his injury record and appearances from the bench. A classic No.9, Everton snapped up the chance to re-sign Ferguson for half the fee they received two years earlier.

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He went on to play for another six years before calling time on his career aged 34. Speaking to The Overlap, Ferguson opened up about how financial difficulties at Goodison Park forced his hand to join the Magpies.

“I didn't want to leave,” he said. “I loved the club, it was a great club that suited me. Everton was the right fit for me. It was quite a bit at the time, £8million. Ruud Gullit had tried to get me at Chelsea some time before. There were wee connections there.

“They (Everton board) said to me that they needed the money. They wanted the money. This was their spiel to me. Who knows, maybe they just wanted me off the books? I was probably the highest earner, they were getting £8million and, if I remember correctly, they were getting the £7million up front.

“I didn’t want to go. I remember saying to Walter that I didn’t want to go. Walter was backing my corner. How hard? I don’t know. You don't know what’s going on behind the scenes. I was a saleable asset so they sold me.”

Wayne Rooney told not to join Newcastle United in 2004

Ferguson also revealed how he persuaded Wayne Rooney to snub Newcastle for Manchester United in 2004. Then the most highly sought-after British talent, he eventually joined the Red Devils and enjoyed a legendary career.

However, a move to St James’ Park was close. Ferguson added: “He was going to Newcastle and I advised him against that move.

“I said to him ‘Look, Newcastle is a great club with wonderful fans but if Man United and Sir Alex Ferguson want you, you’re better off there’. But he was close to going for Newcastle.”

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