Craig Mackail-Smith was the first official Posh signing made after Darren Ferguson became manager in January, 2007. (Photo by Dean Mouhtaropoulos/Getty Images)Craig Mackail-Smith was the first official Posh signing made after Darren Ferguson became manager in January, 2007. (Photo by Dean Mouhtaropoulos/Getty Images)
Craig Mackail-Smith was the first official Posh signing made after Darren Ferguson became manager in January, 2007. (Photo by Dean Mouhtaropoulos/Getty Images)

What happened to the first 20 Peterborough United signings made by manager Darren Ferguson?

By Alan Swann
Published 14th Jun 2024, 10:07 BST
The Peterborough United transfer committee of chairman Darragh MacAnthony, director of football Barry Fry and manager Darren Ferguson are working hard on bringing new players to the club this summer.

And the PT decided to look back at some of the previous Posh signings when the big three have all been working at London Road together.

Ferguson started managing Posh for the first time on January 20, 2007 and here are the first 20 signings he made with the help of MacAnthony and Fry.

We’ve given them all a rating based on the impact they made at Posh.

Top players like Aaron Mclean, George Boyd and Micah Hyde were already at Posh when Ferguson turned up. It’s fair to say his first 20 signings were very hit and miss although there were some terrific captures ahead of his second full season in charge.

Permanent signings only. Information from www.soccerbase.com and www.transfermarkt.co.uk

Signed Jan 29, 2007....One of the great Posh signings who arrived from non-league Dagenham & Redbridge for a bargain price in the region of £125k and went to on to play in the Premier League for Brighton and in international football for Scotland. Scored over 100 Posh goals over three spells... Rating: 10/10.

1. CRAIG MACKAIL-SMITH

Signed Jan 29, 2007....One of the great Posh signings who arrived from non-league Dagenham & Redbridge for a bargain price in the region of £125k and went to on to play in the Premier League for Brighton and in international football for Scotland. Scored over 100 Posh goals over three spells... Rating: 10/10.Photo: John Walton

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Signed January, 29 2007...A defender who joined Posh from the same club on the same day as CMS, but who didn’t have quite the same impact. Made 35 appearances before joining non-league Luton Town after 18 months at Posh....Rating: 4/10.

2. SHANE BLACKETT

Signed January, 29 2007...A defender who joined Posh from the same club on the same day as CMS, but who didn’t have quite the same impact. Made 35 appearances before joining non-league Luton Town after 18 months at Posh....Rating: 4/10.Photo: PT

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Signed January, 29, 2007...This midfielder was on loan at Posh from Stockport when Fergie arrived. His move became permanent, but very much a back-up player until his departure for Notts County a year later. Returned to Posh as an excellent coach and assisted Fergie in the 2019-20 season before leaving for a similar position with Celtic....Rating: 5/10.

3. GAVIN STRACHAN

Signed January, 29, 2007...This midfielder was on loan at Posh from Stockport when Fergie arrived. His move became permanent, but very much a back-up player until his departure for Notts County a year later. Returned to Posh as an excellent coach and assisted Fergie in the 2019-20 season before leaving for a similar position with Celtic....Rating: 5/10.Photo: PT

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Signed March 19, 2007...Left-back signed from non-league Cambridge City who started just five games before leaving for Crewe...Rating: 3/10.

4. DANNY BLANCHETT

Signed March 19, 2007...Left-back signed from non-league Cambridge City who started just five games before leaving for Crewe...Rating: 3/10.Photo: PT

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Related topics:Darren FergusonDarragh MacAnthonyBarry FryLondon Road