Duncan first joined the Blues in 1994 after spells at Dundee United and Glasgow Rangers and he quickly became an idol of the faithful after scoring his first goal in a Merseyside derby at Goodison.

He regularly terrorised Premiership defences and won an FA Cup winners medal in 1995 before moving to Newcastle United in a shock transfer deal in 1998.

However, after a somewhat disappointing time in the North-East, then Deputy Chairman Bill Kenwright plotted to bring the hero of the Gwladys Street back to what he termed his 'rightful home'.

After protracted negotiations Duncan made his Merseyside return on August 17, 2000 and, in typical story-book fashion, scored two goals on his 'second' home debut against Charlton Athletic.

When he first arrived David Moyes made Ferguson his captain.

His marauding performances, mainly as a substitute, during the 2004/05 led to Ferguson agreeing a new one year deal at Goodison in the summer of 2005.

He was mainly utilised as a substitute during the 2005/06 campaign. His final appearance for the Blues came on the last day of the season, leading the side as skipper and netting the last-minute equaliser in a 2-2 draw with West Bromwich Albion.

The striker was not offered a new deal, prompting the end of his long association with the Blues as a tough, no-nonsense centre-forward.