Glenn Ferguson will pull on the Linfield shirt for one last time tomorrow.

After over 500 appearances and 285 goals for the Blues, the 40-year-old legend gets the chance to say goodbye to the fans, just a couple of months after being controversially told he was no longer required.

It was a decision that stunned Irish League football with everyone involved in the game convinced that he would see out his final campaign at Windsor Park.

“Spike” is now with Lisburn Distillery, but for many Bluemen he will be back home when he plays at Windsor for Linfield against Stockport County in his testimonial tomorrow.

“It is going to be hard going back and putting the Linfield shirt on again given that I have left the club,” says Ferguson.

“I was disappointed and shocked because I had constantly been told from people within the club that I would be okay, but it didn’t happen.

“My testimonial match was supposed to be on June 6. I remember being asked to put it back to August and me saying ‘I may not be a Linfield player then’ only to be reassured that I would be, but that’s the way it goes.

“I’ve no problem with David Jeffrey. He’s the manager and made the decision.

“I did think that I had done enough the previous campaign to get me another year, but there was no fall-out with Davy.

“He told me on the Thursday night and on the Saturday we were both at Jim Ervin’s wedding and chatted and we have been on the phone since.”

Rumours abounded that Jeffrey saw Ferguson as a threat to his managerial position, but Spikes laughs it off.

“People have suggested that one of the reasons for letting me go was that David saw me as a threat, but it wasn’t like that at all,” said the former Northern Ireland striker.

“From my own point of view the Linfield manager’s job is 24/7 and right now I would rather go to the moon on my holidays than take on that sort of commitment.

“Ten years down the line and if I were enjoying coaching or management, of course, the Linfield job would be something I would be interested in, but certainly not until then.

“In any case David Jeffrey has been a hugely successful manager at Linfield and I know he believes he can bring more trophies to Windsor for years to come, so there may not be a vacancy for anyone to fill.

“Jimmy Brown, the Distillery boss, is giving me the opportunity to do a bit of coaching and I am doing my badges.

“I would like to be a manager

down the line, but at the moment I’m happy to learn the ropes.

“I’ve been in the game 20 years as a player and I’ve picked a lot up and in the future it is something that interests me.”

Of more pressing concern is delivering for the Whites.

“I’ve played in four pre-season friendlies now and have been impressed by the football,” says Ferguson.

“Jimmy’s aim with Distillery is to win a trophy and my aim is to help him in that ambition by scoring as many goals as possible and to continue the consistent form the club has shown in the league.

“I know a lot of people say that once you leave Linfield you go downhill but we’ll only see that when the season starts.

“There’s no question about it, Linfield are the biggest club in the country but Distillery are a good outfit are approaching this season in the right way.

“Jimmy is building a good squad and has been backed by the board. It could be a big year for the club.”

It will definitely be a big day for a true Irish League great tomorrow.

Spike adds: “I know David Jeffrey sees the testimonial game as an important pre-season friendly for Linfield but I’ve agreed with him that I play the full 90 minutes in order to get a proper send-off.

“Stockport’s Peter Thompson will join me in the attack for the final 15 minutes or so for old time’s sake and Oran Kearney will come on too to say goodbye to the fans, but apart from that it will be a serious fixture.

“I’m sure it will be an emotional day with all my family there and hopefully I’ll get a good turnout and a good reception.”

I’m not full of regrets

Glenn Ferguson says he has no regrets about never playing full-time football.

The 40-year-old could have gone to Austrian side Salzburg when he was scoring goals galore for Glenavon early in his career, but for family reasons stayed in Northern Ireland.

“I had the chance to go to Austria, but it would have been too much upheaval for my young family,” he says.

“It would have been very good financially and could have set me up, but my family was more important. I don’t regret it at all.”

Even though it probably cost him the chance to win more international caps that the five he gained?

“I was delighted to win five and don’t feel I should have had more,” adds Ferguson.

“There were better players than me in England, so I was happy enough with what I got.

“A lot of people remember my international career for being involved in the Prague Five affair, but the abiding memory for me will always be coming on as a substitute to win my first cap at Windsor Park. There were a lot of Linfield fans in the ground that night and I received a fantastic welcome. It was a truly great feeling,”

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Proudest moments: Winning my first league title in 2000. That’s why I joined the Blues. Also the Setanta Cup in 2005. Winning four trophies in one year and doing three doubles in a row with Linfield.

Best player played with at Linfield: Goalkeeper - Alan Mannus, defenders - Noel Bailie and William Murphy, midfielder - Tony Gorman, striker - Peter Thompson, though I had good times with David Larmour and Chris Morgan as well.

Toughest opponent: Glen Dunlop.

Favourite game: Our Setanta Cup final 2-0 win over Bohemians. Also enjoyed scoring a hat-trick in the CIS Cup final against Glentoran and scoring my 500th goal in the CIS Cup success over Crusaders.

Favourite ground: Has to be Windsor Park.

Favourite manager: David Jeffrey.

How you would like Linfield fans to remember you: As an honest, hard working, good striker who scored goals.