Nathan Ferguson (footballer, born 1995)

For the Crystal Palace player, see Nathan Ferguson (footballer, born 2000).

Nathan Ferguson

Ferguson playing for Crawley Town in January 2020
Personal information
Full name	Nathan James Decalvia Ferguson [1]
Date of birth	(1995-10-12) 12 October 1995 (age 29) [2]
Place of birth	Walthamstow, England [2]
Height	1.78 m (5 ft 10 in) [3]
Position(s)	Midfielder
Team information
Current team	Maidenhead United
Number	8
Youth career
	Norwich City
Senior career*
Years	Team	Apps	(Gls)
2013–2014	Dagenham & Redbridge	0	(0)
2013	→ Chelmsford City (loan)	1	(0)
2013–2014	→ St Albans City (loan)	4	(0)
2014	→ Hastings United (loan)	8	(0)
2014–2015	Billericay Town	3	(0)
2015	Grays Athletic	25	(1)
2015–2016	Burton Albion	0	(0)
2016	→ Dartford (loan)	7	(1)
2016–2017	Port Vale	0	(0)
2016	→ Southport (loan)	4	(0)
2017	Bromley	0	(0)
2017	→ Folkestone Invicta (loan)	3	(1)
2017–2019	Dulwich Hamlet	81	(9)
2019–2021	Crawley Town	40	(5)
2021–2022	Southend United	39	(3)
2022–2024	Wealdstone	89	(9)
2024–	Maidenhead United	11	(0)
International career‡
2024–	Guyana	8	(0)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 14:48, 12 October 2024 (UTC) ‡ National team caps and goals, correct as of 09:25, 16 October 2024 (UTC)

Nathan James Decalvia Ferguson (born 12 October 1995) is a professional footballer who plays for National League club Maidenhead United as a midfielder. Born in England, he plays for the Guyana national team. ^[4]

He spent his youth in the academies at Norwich City and Dagenham & Redbridge. He then spent the early part of his career moving between various clubs in the Southern League, Isthmian League and National League, including: Chelmsford City, St Albans City, Hastings United, Billericay Town, Grays Athletic, Dartford, Southport, Bromley and Folkestone Invicta. He also had two brief and unsuccessful spells in the English Football League with Burton Albion and Port Vale. He finally established himself at Dulwich Hamlet. He helped the club to win promotion out of the Isthmian League Premier Division at the end of the 2017–18 season. He earned a move to League Two club Crawley Town in June 2019 and changed clubs to Southend United 18 months later. He signed with National League side Wealdstone in February 2022 and remained with the club for two-and-a-half seasons before he signed with Maidenhead United.

Career

Early career

Ferguson started his career in Norwich City in their youth academy. He then transferred to Dagenham & Redbridge and joined their senior team. ^[5] His goal against Gillingham Academy on 3 November 2012 was nominated for the November Football League Academy goal of the month competition. ^[6]

On 14 August 2013, he joined Conference South club Chelmsford City on a one-month loan deal. ^{[7] [8]} He made his debut in senior football for the "Clarets", coming on as a 68th-minute substitute for Tom Derry in a 2–1 defeat at Tonbridge Angels, in what would be his only appearance for the club. ^[9] On 20 December 2013, he joined St Albans City on a one-month loan. ^[10] He played four Southern League Premier games for the "Saints". He ended the 2013–14 season at Isthmian League Division One South club Hastings United, though would score an own goal in extra time to gift Folkestone Invicta a 3–2 victory in the play-off semi-finals at Cheriton Road after he attempted to block a pass only to see the ball loop over his own keeper's head from 30 yards (27 m) out. ^[11]

After being released by the "Daggers", he signed for Billericay Town of the Isthmian League Premier Division in September 2014. ^{[12] [5]} He was used as a winger by manager Craig Edwards, but lost his first-team place after picking up a hamstring injury. ^[13] He signed for league rivals Grays Athletic in February 2015, in hope of more regular football. ^[14] He helped the "Grays" to lose just one of their final 14 matches of the season, which left the club just one point outside the play-offs. ^[13] He also played in the Isthmian League Cup final, which ended in a 3–2 defeat to Hendon. ^[15] He impressed for the "Gravelmen", and praised managers Glen Little and Mark Bentley for allowing him the freedom to express himself. ^[13] The club reported that Fleetwood Town made an illegal approach for the player in October 2015. ^[16]

Burton Albion

Ferguson signed a two-and-a-half-year deal with League One side Burton Albion on 2 December 2015 after impressing manager Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink on trial. ^{[14] [17]} In doing so he went against the advice of Grays manager Mark Bentley, who said that he should see out the season with Grays Athletic, saying that "sitting in U21 sides is not what they [Ferguson and Dumebi Dumaka] need". ^[18] Nigel Clough replaced Hasselbaink as "Brewers" boss just two days later, and Ferguson failed to make an appearance at the Pirelli Stadium.

He was loaned to Dartford on 24 March 2016. ^[19] He played seven National League South games for the "Darts", and scored the winning goal in a 2–1 victory over Maidstone United at the Gallagher Stadium on 9 April. ^[20] He also played in the final of the Kent Senior Cup, where Dartford beat Charlton Athletic 3–1. ^[21]

Port Vale

On 26 July 2016, Ferguson signed a one-year contract with Port Vale, becoming manager Bruno Ribeiro's 13th signing of the summer. ^[22] He made his first and only appearance for the "Valiants" as a first-half substitute in an EFL Trophy match against Derby County Under 23s at Vale Park on 30 August. ^[23]

On 8 October, he joined National League side Southport on a month-long loan. ^[24] He played seven games for Steve Burr's "Sandgrounders". Ferguson left Vale by mutual consent on 30 January 2017 after coming to an agreement with new boss Michael Brown on the remainder of his contract. ^[25]

Bromley to Dulwich

Ferguson returned to the National League, signing with Bromley in March 2017. ^[25] However, his only appearance for the "Ravens" came in the Kent Senior Cup. He signed on loan for Folkestone Invicta towards the end of the 2016–17 season. ^[26] He featured in three Isthmian League Premier Division games for the "Seasiders", scoring one goal.

He signed for Dulwich Hamlet on 1 July 2017. ^[27] He scored seven goals from 52 appearances in the 2017–18 season, and played in the play-off final victory over Hendon that secured the club promotion out of the Isthmian League. ^[28] He remained a key player at Champion Hill in the National League South, scoring three goals from 39 games in the 2018–19 campaign. ^[29]

Crawley Town

On 14 June 2019, Ferguson signed for League Two club Crawley Town on a three-year deal for an undisclosed fee. ^{[29] [30]} On 3 August, he made his professional debut, playing the full 90 minutes away to Carlisle United. ^[31] He scored his first goal for the "Red Devils" seven days later, in a 2–0 victory against Salford City at Broadfield Stadium. ^[32] On 24 September, he scored the equalizing goal in a 1–1 draw with Stoke City in the EFL Cup, before Crawley won the tie on penalties. ^[33] He maintained his first-team place after John Yems replaced Gabriele Cioffi as manager in December and totaled six goals in 39 appearances throughout the truncated 2019–20 season. ^[34]

Southend United

On 29 January 2021, he signed for Southend United for an undisclosed fee on an 18-month contract with the option of a further year. ^[35] He scored his first goal for Southend on his debut the following day in a 5–1 defeat at former club Port Vale, after coming on as a substitute. ^[36] Manager Mark Molesley described his debut goal as the only positive of the match. ^[37] On 24 February, he scored a 'sensational' goal from 40 yards (37 m) in a 3–1 win at Forest Green Rovers. ^[38] Former manager Phil Brown returned to the club in April but he could not help Southend to avoid relegation out of the Football League at the end of the 2020–21 season. ^[39] He made 24 appearances in the first half of the 2021–22 season before his contract was mutually terminated on 3 February 2022. ^[40]

Wealdstone

On 4 February 2022, Ferguson joined National League club Wealdstone on a free transfer. ^[41] He made his debut four days for the "Stones" later in a 2–1 victory against Yeovil Town at Grosvenor Vale, and then scored his first Wealdstone goal on 12 February, in a 3–1 win over local rivals Barnet. ^{[42] [43]} He scored five goals in forty appearances in the 2022–23 campaign, though was sent off on the last day of the season. ^{[3] [44]} He scored five goals in 38 games in 2023–24, ^[3] before being released at the end of the season. ^[45]

Maidenhead United

On 25 June 2024, Ferguson signed for National League side Maidenhead United. ^[46]

Style of play

Primarily a midfielder, Ferguson has also played as a forward and has pace, power and skill. ^[47] Ferguson described himself as a box-to-box midfielder when he signed for Maidenhead in 2024.^{[ citation needed ]}

Career statistics

As of match played 12 October 2024

Appearances and goals by club, season and competition

Club	Season	League			FA Cup		League Cup		Other		Total
		Division	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals
Dagenham & Redbridge	2013–14 [3]	League Two	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
Chelmsford City (loan)	2013–14 [3]	Conference South	1	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	1	0
St Albans City (loan)	2013–14 [48]	Southern League Premier	4	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	4	0
Hastings United (loan)	2013–14 [49]	Isthmian League Division One South	8	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	8	0
Billericay Town	2014–15	Isthmian League Premier Division	3	0	1	0	0	0	1 [lower-alpha 1]	0	5	0
Grays Athletic	2014–15 [50]	Isthmian League Premier Division	15	1	0	0	0	0	2 [lower-alpha 2]	0	17	1
	2015–16 [51]	Isthmian League Premier Division	10	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	10	0
	Total		25	1	0	0	0	0	2	0	27	1
Burton Albion	2015–16 [52]	League One	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
Dartford (loan)	2015–16 [3]	National League South	7	1	0	0	0	0	0	0	7	1
Port Vale	2016–17 [53]	League One	0	0	0	0	0	0	1 [lower-alpha 3]	0	1	0
Southport (loan)	2016–17 [3]	National League	4	0	3	0	0	0	0	0	7	0
Bromley	2016–17 [3]	National League	0	0	0	0	0	0	1 [lower-alpha 4]	0	1	0
Folkestone Invicta (loan)	2016–17 [48]	Isthmian League Premier Division	3	1	0	0	0	0	0	0	3	1
Dulwich Hamlet	2017–18 [54]	Isthmian League Premier Division	43	6	2	0	0	0	7 [lower-alpha 5]	1	52	7
	2018–19 [3]	National League South	38	3	0	0	0	0	1 [lower-alpha 6]	0	39	3
	Total		81	9	2	0	0	0	8	1	91	10
Crawley Town	2019–20 [55]	League Two	31	5	2	0	4	1	2 [lower-alpha 3]	0	39	6
	2020–21 [56]	League Two	9	0	0	0	1	0	3 [lower-alpha 3]	1	13	1
	Total		40	5	2	0	5	1	5	1	52	7
Southend United	2020–21 [56]	League Two	19	2	0	0	0	0	0	0	19	2
	2021–22 [57]	National League	20	1	2	1	0	0	2 [lower-alpha 6]	0	24	1
	Total		39	3	2	1	0	0	2	0	43	4
Wealdstone	2021–22 [3]	National League	17	1	0	0	0	0	0	0	17	1
	2022–23 [3]	National League	39	5	0	0	0	0	1 [lower-alpha 6]	0	40	5
	2023–24 [3]	National League	33	3	1	1	0	0	4 [lower-alpha 6]	1	38	5
	Total		89	9	1	1	0	0	4	1	94	11
Maidenhead United	2024–25 [3]	National League	11	0	0	0	0	0	1 [lower-alpha 7]	0	12	0
Career total			315	28	11	2	5	1	26	3	357	34

Notes

1. Includes appearance in the Essex Senior Cup.
2. Includes appearance/s in the Isthmian League Cup.
3. Appearances in the EFL Trophy
4. Appearances in the Kent Senior Cup
5. 2 appearances and 1 goal in the FA Trophy, 3 appearances in the Alan Turvey Trophy and 2 appearances in the play-offs
6. Appearances in the FA Trophy
7. Appearances in the National League Cup

Honours

Grays Athletic

• Isthmian League Cup runner-up: 2015 ^[15]

Dartford

• Kent Senior Cup: 2016 ^[21]

Dulwich Hamlet

• Isthmian League Premier Division play-offs: 2018 ^[28]

References

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3. Nathan Ferguson at Soccerway. Retrieved 2 August 2019.
4. Nathan Ferguson at Global Sports Archive
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31. "Carlisle United 2-1 Crawley Town". 3 August 2019. Retrieved 3 August 2019.
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34. Gadsdon, Sam (29 January 2021). "Nathan Ferguson Departs For Southend United". www.crawleytownfc.com. Retrieved 29 January 2021.
35. "Southend sign Crawley's Ferguson". BBC Sport. 29 January 2021. Retrieved 29 January 2021.
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38. Dunford, Mark (25 February 2021). "Former Crawley Town midfielder Nathan Ferguson scores incredible goal for Southend United - watch it here". www.crawleyobserver.co.uk. Retrieved 25 February 2021.
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40. "Nathan Ferguson Leaves Blues". Southend United F.C. 3 February 2022. Retrieved 4 February 2022.
41. "TRANSFER NEWS | Ferguson signs on a free". Wealdstone F.C. 4 February 2022. Retrieved 4 February 2022.
42. Woods, Chris (8 February 2022). "MATCH REPORT | Wealdstone 2-1 Yeovil Town". Wealdstone FC. Retrieved 14 February 2022.
43. "MATCH REPORT | Barnet 1-3 Wealdstone". Wealdstone F.C. 12 February 2022. Retrieved 14 February 2022.
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46. "Nathan Ferguson is a Magpie!". Maidenhead United FC. 25 June 2024. Retrieved 25 June 2024.
47. "Yesterday we shared a piece from The Times - News - Dulwich Hamlet Football Club". www.pitchero.com. Retrieved 9 August 2019.
48. "Nathan Ferguson Profile | Aylesbury United FC". www.aylesburyunitedfc.co.uk. Archived from the original on 3 November 2018. Retrieved 2 August 2019.
49. "First Team Appearances 2013/14 - Hastings United FC". www.hastingsunitedfc.co.uk. Retrieved 26 July 2016.
50. "Fixtures and Results - Grays Athletic - Grays Athletic Football Club". www.graysathletic.co.uk. Retrieved 26 July 2016.
51. "Nathan Ferguson - Grays Athletic - Grays Athletic Football Club". www.graysathletic.co.uk. Retrieved 26 July 2016.
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53. "Games played by Nathan Ferguson in 2016/2017". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 23 March 2020.
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55. "Games played by Nathan Ferguson in 2019/2020". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 23 March 2020.
56. "Games played by Nathan Ferguson in 2020/2021". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 23 March 2020.
57. "Games played by Nathan Ferguson in 2021/2022". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 23 March 2020.