Central F.C. General Manager Norris Ferguson has done, seen and won just about everything in football.
After joining the Trinidad & Tobago Police Service in 1971, Norris immediately became an active member of both their football and cricket teams, and eventually captained the football team. By 1975, Ferguson had become a much feared striker and scored two goals against Lantern Giants to win the Durity Cup and two goals against the same team to win the F.A. Trophy, in which he managed to score in every round of the competition.
Moving on to administration, Ferguson became PRO of the South Zone in 1989 and was appointed to the TTFA General Council. 1991 saw Ferguson appointed as liaison officer to the Guatemalan national team during the Under 17 CONCACAF championship, while the following year, he was appointed as the TTFA representative to the Under 20 national team.
In 1996, Ferguson was appointed as National Team Manager and also became President of the Southern F.A.
By 1999, Ferguson had become Manager of W.Connection and saw the club win the F.A. Trophy, finish 3rd in the League, as well as Runners Up in the First Citizens Cup and League Cup. It got better the next year when Connection retained the F.A. Trophy, while winning the League and First Citizens Cup. Those two successful years earned Norris the Administrator of the Year award for both seasons, just two of the many awards made to Ferguson over the years.
Ferguson was appointed as Secretary of the Professional Football League in 2001 and moved on to become Manager of the Indoor Facility at the Centre of Excellence in 2002.
The following year, Norris began a successful tenure as a match commissioner for the Super League and Pro League, as well as CFU, CONCACAF and FIFA, where he still represents T&T in international tournaments. He was named as Pro League Match Commissioner of the 2007 season and won the award again in 2012.
“There are many great football memories” said Ferguson, who continues to officiate at local and international games. “Being Match Commissioner at the CONCACAF men’s U20 championship in Puebla, Mexico was a great honour for me and a significant memory.”
Ferguson also officiated at the recent CONCACAF Gold Cup in the USA.
“I’ve been fortunate to travel to some amazing venues across the world” said Ferguson. “There are so many opportunities in football administration, and I wish more young people would recognise the potential career routes available to them”
Ferguson believes that too many people turn away from football as a career when they find that they are not good enough to play professionally, or even when their playing career is over. “Anybody can be a football administrator if they apply themselves correctly” said Ferguson. “It’s not like being a coach or a physio where you need qualifications or a solid track record. To be a good administrator you need an eye for detail, professionalism and a passion for the game.” Ferguson added “It’s great to see young guys like Adrian Romain, Central’s Technical Manager in administrative roles. But I don’t think that he, as yet, has recognised the possibilities ahead of him. With commitment and effort, the chances to travel overseas, while earning a decent living are tremendous.”
Ferguson believes that too many people turn away from football as a career when they find that they are not good enough to play professionally, or even when their playing career is over. “Anybody can be a football administrator if they apply themselves correctly” said Ferguson.
“It’s not like being a coach or a physio where you need qualifications or a solid track record. To be a good administrator you need an eye for detail, professionalism and a passion for the game.” Ferguson added “It’s great to see young guys like Adrian Romain, Central’s Technical Manager in administrative roles. But I don’t think that he, as yet, has recognised the possibilities ahead of him. With commitment and effort, the chances to travel overseas, while earning a decent living are tremendous.”
One advantage Ferguson believes he has is his knowledge of the game, both as a player and manager. “It’s difficult for players, coaches and managers to pull the wool over my eyes” laughed Ferguson “I don’t just know most of the tricks; I invented some of them!”
Ferguson had the unique pleasure of winning the First Citizens Cup again this season, with Central F.C. “I guess I’m back where I started” smiled Ferguson. “I’d love to win the F.A. Trophy again and, of course, it would be great to see Central win the league and play in CONCACAF.”
So, what’s ahead for Ferguson, the poacher turned gamekeeper? “Obviously, everyone wants to go to a World Cup, and I’m no different. Every time I travel abroad, I’m aware that I represent my country, so even if our team won’t be playing in the 2014 World Cup, it would be a great honour for me to carry the Red, White and Black in Brazil. Representing Trinidad & Tobago is my ultimate pride.”