Ferguson: No bust-up at Blackpool

The Seasiders club captain began his two-month loan spell by playing 80 minutes of Saturday’s 3-0 FA Cup victory over Bromley, then said first-team football was the driving force behind his decision to leave Bloomfield Road.

The former Scotland captain said: “I just wanted to play. There was no fall-out. I don’t know where people are getting that from.

“Let me put one thing straight – there was no falling out between me and the gaffer (former Pool boss Ian Holloway). I just said I wanted to play regularly.

“I respect the fact he was using a rotation system and was going to keep doing that. I just wasn’t into that – I wanted to keep playing because you’re a long time finished and I don’t know when it’s going to come to an end for me.

“You hear people saying and see on websites that something happened but there was absolutely nothing. I just wanted to go and play.”

Despite interest from a number of higher-placed Football League clubs, Ferguson decided to make the move to Fleetwood after meeting with Micky Mellon and chairman Andy Pilley – a visit from the latter convincing the former Rangers man the move was right.

He said: “The move makes it easy for me. As soon as I met the manager and the chairman, and heard about the ambition they have, that sealed it for me.

“I went to a few Championship clubs but I just thought this was the right move. You get that feeling and I knew it was the one.

“They showed me what they are trying to do with the stadium, with a new training ground and where they see the club going.

“At my age (34), I just want to enjoy myself and play for somebody as ambitious as the chairman here.

“He came to see me himself, showed that personal touch, which meant a lot. It showed me how much they wanted me.

“Other clubs were in for me but I’d made my decision on Tuesday and it just took a few more days to sort out at Blackpool’s end.”

And the Scotland international wasn’t ruling out extending his stay at Fleetwood.

He said: “I’m contracted to Blackpool until May. I’m here until December 31 and I’ll probably go out on loan again after that.

“I’d like to stay here until the end of the season and even beyond, but for now it’s just a two-month loan.”

Ferguson left Bloomfield Road just hours before Ian Holloway walked out to take over at Crystal Palace.

Speaking about the shock departure, the midfielder said: “It’s disappointing because of the work the guy has done for the club is unbelievable.

“He brought me to the club last year and I had a great relationship with him.

“We had a fantastic first season – we nearly got there.

“But he’s seen that Crystal Palace are very ambitious and he’s moved on, and good luck to him.”

Now Ferguson is looking forward to getting to know his new team-mates better ahead of tomorrow’s home clash with Rotherham, having been thrown into the side on Saturday within 24 hours of finalising his move.

He said: “I just signed 10 minutes before the (FA Cup) deadline, so I’ve not had long with the lads. But it was great to get back playing.”