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Duncan Ferguson has recalled how he played through the pain barrier to help Everton win the 1995 FA Cup.

The Blues hero was still suffering from the after-effects of a double hernia operation when he declared himself fit to face Manchester United at Wembley - 20 years ago today.

Big Dunc, now a first team coach for the Toffees, admits he was far from match-fit but was desperate to do his bit on a day he “will always cherish.”

Recalling when Joe Royle’s Blue Army overcame Alex Ferguson’s Red Devils, who had only finished runner-up in the league by a point, Ferguson insisted it was always going to be Everton’s day.

“They were fantastic times,” he said. “On a personal level I was battling through injury again. I’d had a double hernia operation and missed the semi final because of it.

“I’d come back for the last game of the season against Coventry and it was only two weeks after the operation. I was a mess. I just wasn’t fit.

“But I was pushing to try and make the squad and I remember getting a fitness test on the pitch and saying to the physio; “I’m fine”.

“That was me trying to be available for the final and I managed to get myself on the bench.

“Another manager might not have put me there, but because it was Man United I think that swayed Joe. I’d scored against them when we beat them in the February so that was maybe in his mind.”

Everton had swept to Wembley by a rousing 4-1 victory over Spurs in the semi-final at Elland Road, a game which a frustrated Ferguson had to watch from the stands.

“It was a great performance,” he said. “One of the best I’ve seen us put in. I was at the game watching from the stands.

“We went into the final under-dogs but I liked that.”

With the Blues already ahead after Paul Rideout’s 30th minute header, Ferguson replaced the goal-scorer on 51 minutes.

“Paul scored his goal and came off feeling a niggle and they put me on just to try and get the second goal but I just wasn’t fit enough really,” he said.

“I had a chance late on in the game and should have scored really, but because I wasn’t quite right I slashed it wide of the post.

“I only played a small part. But it was a memory I’ll always cherish.”

Ferguson reckons Everton were simply fated to be etched onto the trophy as winners that sunny afternoon.

“Big Nev had been fantastic for us in goal,” he said. “He saved everything.

“I just think it was going to be our day.

“I remember Matt Jackson going down that right side and cutting it back for Graham (Stuart). He always says he found the only bobble on the pitch and I wouldn’t disagree with him because normally you’d back him to finish it straight away.

“But it came off the bar and Paul (Rideout) was in the right place. I think our name was just on it that year. I firmly believe that. We had a lot of quality as well but fate plays a part and it was tremendous for everyone involved.”

Big Dunc on the fans

Perhaps not surprisingly for a man who loves Evertonians almost as much as they love him, Ferguson’s favourite memory of the day was the supporters.

“I still remember walking out and just seeing blue everywhere; turning around and seeing all the supporters,” he said. “Even going on the bus to the game was amazing. The atmosphere was superb.

“Then we had the open top bus tour in the city the next day. To come down Queens Drive by the megastore, which was still being built, and see the fans hanging off it was unbelievable.

“They were sitting on the scaffolding. Then all the multi-stories when you’re going down Everton Valley and on Scotland Road , they were everywhere. How they climbed up there God Knows but it was incredible. What a sight to see all that blue.

“Hopefully we can have that again one day. The whole city was Everton that day.

“It’s unfortunate it was so long ago. It’s just so hard to win trophies,

“It doesn’t seem real that it was 20 years ago.”

Teetotal now as he continues his impressive climb up the coaching ladder, back then Ferguson allowed himself to celebrate in style.

“Afterwards we went in the players lounge and got the champagne out,” he said. “It was back onto the bus then and into the Royal Lancaster hotel in London.

“We partied then and it was a special night. A lot of great speeches, great food and some great dancing. I had a big kilt on and didn’t need much encouragement to lift it up.

“It was a special day.”