He was hailed as an Irish “man of steel” by James Perch last week and is set to return to the starting XI for the trip to Club Brugge.
He's a skinny kid, but Ferguson bounced back from two serious injuries to finally make his mark on the Newcastle first team.
Shane Ferguson: “Yes, I was put on a diet, but it’s hard to put on weight!
"I’m working hard with the fitness coach and I think I’m getting bigger and stronger now. I’m getting fitter and looking forward to playing more games.
“Playing in Europe is where I want to be. It is a dream come true and I’m just happy to get any kind of opportunity but to represent Newcastle and to be part of this club’s proud tradition in Europe is exactly what I want.
"I’m delighted to have had my chance and now it is just about pushing on.
“I’m really grateful to be back in the squad. I’m delighted to get a chance because this is a big year: I’m fit and injury-free. I’ve had too many injuries at tough times really.
“Last season they came at the wrong time, when I just felt like I was getting an opportunity. And then when you don’t get a pre-season you’re always playing catch-up and it’s really tough.
“In training I’ve been working on crosses and delivery for a while.
"Steve Stone has been taking me for extra sessions and the big thing that I was looking to improve was to try and get more assists and to have more of an impact going forward.
“I’m absolutely delighted that I’ve been able to do that to some extent.”
FACTS AND FIGURES ...
Nickname(s): Blauw-Zwart (Blue-Black), Club, FCB
Founded: November 13, 1891; 121 years ago
Ground: Jan Breydelstadion (Jan Breydel Stadium), Bruges (capacity: 29,472)
Last season: 2011–12 Belgian Pro League, 2nd
Rivals: Club Brugge's major rival is R.S.C. Anderlecht, and it shares the Jan Breydel Stadium with city rival Cercle Brugge K.S.V., with whom they contest the Bruges derby.
Throughout its long history, Club Brugge has enjoyed much European football success, reaching two European finals and two European semi-finals. Club Brugge is the only Belgian club to have played the final of the European Cup (forerunner of the current UEFA Champions League) so far. They were beaten by Liverpool F.C. in the final of its 1978 season. They also lost in the 1976 UEFA Cup Final to Liverpool.
History ...
1890: Brugsche Football Club
Club created by old students of the Catholic school Broeders Xaverianen and the neutral school Koninklijk Atheneum.
13 November 1891: Club recreated
The club was recreated. This has since been adopted as the official date of foundation.
1892: First board
An official board was installed in the club.
1894: Football Club Brugeois
Club created by 16 old members of Brugsche FC.
1895: Vlaamsche Football Club de Bruges
Club created in the city.
1895/1896: the UBSSA set up in 1895. and they went to the UBSSA and took part of the first Belgian national league.
1896: Leaving the UBSSA
Financial it was difficult for FC Brugeois and so after only one year they had to leave the UBSSA.
1897: Fusion
FC Brugeois joined Brugsche FC but they continued under the name Football Club Brugeois.
1902: New fusion
Vlaamsche FC joined FC Brugeois.
1912: De Klokke
They moved to a new stadium named "De Klokke".
1913/1914: First cup final
FC Brugeois reached their first Belgian Cup final but they lost 2–1 from Union SG.
1920: First time league champions
The club became for the first time champions of the first division.
1926: Royal Football Club Brugeois
The club get number 3 as their matricule number and in the same year they get the royal title.
1928: First relegation
A first low when the club was relegated to the second division.
1930: New statute
President Albert Dyserynck changed the club's statute into a non-profit association.
1931: Albert Dyserynckstadion
When president Albert Dyserynck suddenly died they honoured him by changing the stadium's name into Albert Dyserynckstadion.
1959: Permanent to the first division
RFC Brugeois promoted to the first division and never relegated again in the future.
1968: First time cup winners
They won the Belgian Cup for the first time against Beerschot AC (1–1, 7–6 after penalty's).
1972: Club Brugge Koninklijke Voetbalvereniging
The club changed their name into the Flemisch name Club Brugge KV
1975: Olympiastadion
They moved from Albert Dyserynckstadion to Olympiastadion (current Jan Breydelstadion).
1976: Highest position in UEFA Cup
Under Austrian coach Ernst Happel, Club Brugge reached the finals of the UEFA Cup and lost against Liverpool (3–2 and 1–1).
1978: Only Belgian European Cup 1 finalists
Still under Ernst Happel, the club faced Liverpool again of a European final. This time it was in the European Champions Clubs' Cup final. And again they lost (1–0). Club Brugge is the only Belgian club that have reached the finals of the European biggest competition.
1992: First goal scorer in the Champions League
Daniel Amokachi is the first goal scorer in the Champions League. He scored against CSKA Moskva.
1998: Jan Breydelstadion
Olympiastadion had to be expand for the EURO 2000 organisation. They also changed the name into Jan Breydelstadion.
2006: CLUBtv
It was the first Belgian club to create its own TV channel.
Honours:
DomesticBelgian First Division champions: 13
1919–20, 1972–73, 1975–76, 1976–77, 1977–78, 1979–80, 1987–88, 1989–90, 1991–92, 1995–96, 1997–98, 2002–03, 2004–05
Belgian Cup winners: 10
1967–68, 1969–70, 1976–77, 1985–86, 1990–91, 1994–95, 1995–96, 2001–02, 2003–04, 2006–07
Belgian Supercup winners: 13
1980, 1986, 1988, 1990, 1991, 1992, 1994, 1996, 1998, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005
InternationalEuropean Champion Clubs' Cup quarter finalist: 1
1976–77
European Champion Clubs' Cup finalist: 1
1977–78
UEFA Cup finalist: 1
1975–76
UEFA Cup semi finalist: 1
1987–88
Bruges Matins winners: 17
1979, 1981, 1984, 1990, 1992, 1993, 1995, 1996, 1998, 2000, 2001, 2004, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2011
Kirin Cup winners: 1
1981
NEWCASTLE UNITED FC 2012/13
Newcastle United Fixtures
Thursday November 8 18:00Europa League - Group D Club Brugge v Newcastle United
Sunday November 11 15:00Premier League Newcastle United v West Ham United
Saturday November 17 15:00Premier League Newcastle United v Swansea City
Thursday November 22 20:05Europa League - Group D Newcastle United v Maritimo
Sunday November 25 15:00Premier League Southampton v Newcastle United
Wednesday November 28 19:45Premier League Stoke City v Newcastle United
PREMIERSHIP
LIVERPOOL 1 NEWCASTLE 1 (Cabaye)
Krul, Anita, S Taylor, Coloccini, Santon, Perch (26' Simpson), Cabaye (68' Ferguson), Gutierrez, Ben Arfa, Cisse, Ba (49' Sammy Ameobi).
Subs: Harper, Williamson, Shola Ameobi, Obertan.
NEWCASTLE 2 WEST BROM 1 (Ba, Cisse)
Krul, Simpson (61 Cisse), Coloccini, Williamson, Santon, Ben Arfa, Cabaye, Perch, Gutierrez, Ba (72 Sammy Ameobi), Shola Ameobi (61 Obertan).
Subs: Harper, Anita, Steven Taylor, Ferguson.
SUNDERLAND 1 NEWCASTLE UTD 1 (Cabaye)
Krul,Simpson, Williamson, Coloccini (79' S Taylor) Santon, Gutierrez, Cabaye, Tiote, Ben Arfa (83' Obertan), Ba, Shola Ameobi (38' Perch).
Subs: Harper, Anita, Cisse, Ferguson
NEWCASTLE UTD 0 MAN UTD 3
Harper, Santon, Perch, Williamson, Ferguson (63' Anita), Ben Arfa, Tiote (80' Bigirimana), Cabaye, Gutierrez, Cisse (63' Shola Ameobi), Ba
Subs: Alnwick, Simpson, Obertan, Sammy Ameobi
READING 2 NEWCASTLE 2 (Ba 2)
Harper, Perch, Williamson, Steven Taylor (Tavernier 56), Santon, Ben Arfa, Tiote, Bigirimana (Ferguson 70), Gutierrez, Cisse (Shola Ameobi 69), Ba.
Subs not used: Elliot, Anita, Obertan, Sammy Ameobi.
NEWCASTLE 1 NORWICH 0 (Ba)
Harper, Perch, Williamson, Steven Taylor, Santon, Ben Arfa (Shola 85mins), Anita (Tiote 76 mins), Cabaye, Jonas, Cisse (Obertan 70 mins), Ba
Subs unused: Elliot, Tavernier, Bigirimana, Sammy Ameobi
EVERTON 2 NEWCASTLE 2 (Ba 2)
Harper; Perch, Williamson, Taylor, Santon; Anita, Cabaye (Bigirimana 93), Gutierrez; Marveaux (Ba 46), Ben Arfa; Cissé (Shola Ameobi 80).
Substitutes not used Elliot (g), Gosling, Obertan, Tavernier.
NEWCASTLE 1 ASTON VILLA 1 (Ben Arfa)
Krul, Simpson (Bigirimana 38), Steven Taylor, Coloccini, Santon, Ben Arfa, Cabaye, Anita, Gutierrez (Marveaux 86), Ba (Obertan 86), Cisse
Subs not used: Harper, Williamson, Gosling, Amalfitano
CHELSEA 2 NEWCASTLE 0
Krul, Simpson (Ryan Taylor 64), Steven Taylor, Coloccini, Santon (Marveaux 74), Ben Arfa, Anita, Cabaye (Perch 77), Gutierrez, Ba, Cisse
Subs not used: Harper, Williamson, Gosling, Obertan
NEWCASTLE 2 SPURS 1 (Ba, Ben Arfa pen)
Krul; Simpson, S Taylor, Perch, Santon; Ben Arfa, Cabaye (Anita, 71), Tiote, Gutierrez; Cisse, Ba (Obertan, 85). Subs not used: Harper; R Taylor, Williamson, Gosling, Amalfitano
EUROPA LEAGUE
NEWCASTLE 1 CLUB BRUGGES 0 (Obertan)
Harper, Perch, Santon, Steven Taylor, Ferguson 80 (Cabaye), Obertan, Tiote, Bigirimana, Anita 46' (Shola Ameobi), Sammy Ameobi 73' (Coloccini), Cisse
Subs: Krul, Ben Arfa, Ba, Campbell
NEWCASTLE 3 BORDEAUX 0 (Shola Ameobi, Henrique og), Cisse)
Elliot (Harper, 46 ); Simpson, Williamson, Perch, Ferguson; Anita, Tiote (Gosling, 71), Cabaye (Bigirimana, 61); Cisse, Ameobi, Obertan.
MARITIMO 0 NEWCASTLE 0
Elliot, Santon, Williamson, Perch, S Taylor, Gosling, Amalfitano (Ferguson 76), Bigirimana, Obertan (Marveaux 80), Vuckic (Sami Ameobi 53), Shola Ameobi.
Subs (not used): Harper (gk), Tavernier, Abeid, Campbell
NEWCASTLE 1 ATROMITOS 0 (Vuckic)
Krul, Simpson, Coloccini, Williamson, Ryan Taylor (11 Vuckic), Obertan, Bigirimana, Perch (59 Tavernier), Marveaux (91 Amalfitano), Gosling, Ba.
Subs: Harper, Cabaye, Cisse, Campbell.
ATROMITOS 1 NEWCASTLE 1 (R Taylor)
Harper; Tavernier, Williamson, Perch, R Taylor; Bigirimana, Anita; Obertan, Gosling (Amalfitano, 64), Marveaux (Gutierrez, 71); Cisse (Campbell, 77). Subs not used: Krul, Santon, Cabaye, S Taylor.
LEAGUE CUP
MAN UTD 2 NEWCASTLE 1 (Cisse)
Elliot, Coloccini (Ferguson 61), Williamson, Perch, Tavernier, Gosling, Marveaux, Tioté (Bigirimana 71), Obertan, Vuckic (Cisse 81), Shola Ameobi.
Subs not used: Harper, Anita, Amalfitano, Sammy Ameobi.
PRE-SEASON
CARDIFF CITY 4 NEWCASTLE 1 (Shola Ameobi pen)
Krul, Simpson, Coloccini (Williamson 46), Steven Taylor (Gosling 63), Santon, Obertan (Campbell 83), Tiote (Amalfitano 71) , Gutiérrez, Marveaux (Vuckic 46), R Taylor (Perch 28), Shola Ameobi.
HARTLEPOOL 1 NEWCASTLE 5 (Shola Ameobi, Marveaux 2, Obertan, Vuckic)
Harper (Alnwick 82), Simpson (Good 72), Tavernier, Williamson, S.Taylor (Vuckic 46), Perch (R.Taylor 72), Gosling, Amalfitano (Santon 80), Marveaux (Obertan 78), Sh.Ameobi (Ben Arfa 46), Bigirimana (Abeid 59).
DEN HAAG 0 NEWCASTLE 0
Krul; S Taylor (Gosling 65), R Taylor (Perch 71), Coloccini, Santon (Simpson 80); Obertan (Bigirimana 71), Tiote (Ameobi 71), Vuckic (Williamson 65), Gutierrez; Ba (Amalfitano 82), Cisse
BRAGA 1 NEWCASTLE 2 (Ba, R Taylor)
Harper; Simpson, Tavernier, Coloccini, R.Taylor; Sammy Ameobi (Obertan 88), Tiote (Cabaye 70), Gutierrez, Marveaux; Cisse, Ba (Vuckic 85).
OLYMPIACOS 1 NEWCASTLE 1 (S Taylor)
Krul, Perch, Williamson, S.Taylor (Dummett 46), Santon, Obertan (Sammy Ameobi 72), Bigirimana, Gosling (Abeid 36), Amalfitano, Vuckic, Shola Ameobi (Cisse 72).
FENERBAHCE 1 NEWCASTLE 1 (Abeid)
Elliot, Simpson (Santon 68), Tavernier, Coloccini, R Taylor, Tiote (Bigirimana 59), Gosling (Abeid 73), Obertan (Shola Ameobi 75), Marveuax (Gutierrez 59), Vuckic (Sammy Ameobi 46), Ba (Cisse 68).
MONACO 0 NEWCASTLE 1 (Ba)
Harper, Santon (Ryan Taylor 57), Simpson, Williamson (Perch 46), Gutierrez, Amalfitano (Obertan 62), Abeid (Tavernier 46), Bigirimana (Tiote 62), Sammy Ameobi (Vuckic 46), Shola Ameobi (Gosling 62), Ba (Marveaux 78)
CHEMNITZER 1 NEWCASTLE 0
Elliot; Tavernier (Simpson, 70), Williamson, Perch, R Taylor (Santon, 70); Obertan (Gutierrez, 77), Abeid (Bigirimana, 70), Gosling, Amalfitano; Vuckic (Shola Ameobi, 70), Sammy Ameobi (Ba, 77). Sub not used: Harper.