Everton legend working for FREE at cash-strapped Scottish club

Updated: 04 Oct, 2024 • 0 • min read

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Everton legend working for FREE at cash-strapped Scottish club

Photo: PA

Inverness Caledonian Thistle manager Duncan Ferguson has given up his wages to help the Scottish club through a financial crisis.

The Everton legend joined Inverness last year following the sacking of Billy Dodds and his assistant Barry Wilson.

The club was relegated last season following a play-off defeat against Hamilton Accies.

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After taking two significant wage cuts, Ferguson is now working for free in a bid to help keep the Scottish League One outfit afloat.

Inverness needs to raise £200,000 in two weeks to avoid being placed in administration this month.

Speaking on the situation, the Goodison Park great said in a media conference:

I've given up my wage to try and help the club. I'm now working for nothing.

That's by the by, it's my own decision to try and help the club get through all this.

The players are worried, yes. They have contracts to fall upon, but it is the people around about the stadium, the staff, everyone's jobs are on the line.

Ferguson is believed to have taken two significant wage cuts since being appointed manager 12 months ago.

I think you know since I've been here I've taken cuts and reductions.

Now, when I realised the position the club is in, in needing to raise £200,000 this month, I decided I don't need to get paid my wage.

I'll work for nothing just now to try and help them through this. The plight of the staff was in my mind. It always is.

I like to think I'm a caring person and I like to look after my staff and people around about me.

Even if it successfully avoids going into administration this month, Inverness said it would need further injections of funds to survive the rest of the season.

Losses ran to £1.2 million last season and the club has forecast a similar loss this season, but warned that figure would not include money spent on restructuring following relegation.

I'm not going to ask anyone else to do what I've done. It is each to their own.

I've done my bit and I'll continue to do my bit for the football club. Everyone who knows me knows that.

I'll do it as long as is needed before the people at the club come up with some money to save the club.

Obviously, I can't go without a wage forever and ever, because I need to put food on the table myself. But at the moment it is needs must - I'm making sacrifices.

It's not an easy time for the club and I've made the decision.

Former striker Ferguson played for the likes of Rangers, Newcastle United and Everton before taking charge of the latter on an interim basis on two separate occasions.