Club Profile

The Ferguson Club's Aim
The Ferguson Club's aim is to further the appreciation of the engineering feats of Harry Ferguson in aviation, agriculture and motor vehicles, by encouraging members and others to exchange information and share views on the life and achievements of Harry Ferguson.

The Club acts as a forum for information, research and service aspects, both through our Website, our Journal and by direct enquiry. Our quality publication is produced three times a year and is sent free to all members.

While we do not trade in spares we do have, for sale to members, specialist Ferguson Supplies, from Club badges and garments to bonnet strips and decals for the TE-20 tractor and back issues of our publications.

Origins
The Club was formed in 1986 after a letter from Mr Ken Goodwin appeared in the Farmers Weekly suggesting that anyone interested in matters Ferguson contact him.

From the start the principle aim of the Club was "to promote interest in the late Harry Ferguson, his designs for the mechanisation of world agriculture and in particular the Ferguson System".

Harry Ferguson was born in the tiny village of Growell, which is about 16 miles south of Belfast, in 1884. His parents, James and Mary Ferguson owned a farm of just over 100 acres. Having felt at first hand the toil and drudgery of farming in those days, Harry decided it was not for him and joined his brother's garage as an apprentice. He soon showed a gift for all things mechanical and eventually branched out on his own. During the 1 st World War, Harry came across the tractors of the time. These were heavy cumbersome beasts, which towed the plough behind them with a chain. He decided there must be a better way and set upon the almost lifelong task of designing a system where the tractor and plough became an integral unit. Harry and his team eventually produced the Ferguson System of 3-point hydraulic linkage, which soon became the standard in the industry and is still used on almost all tractors today.

The Club is actively supported by the Ferguson family. Our President is Mr Jamie Sheldon, the Grandson of Harry Ferguson, seen here on a Ferguson TypeA.

Members of Harry's original team including Mr John Chambers and Mr Dick Dowdswell were also associated with the Club.

Now in it's 22nd year, the club is thriving with a membership of approx. 1500. Members get the quality Club Journal 3 times a year and are able to take part in Club events. The Club puts on excellent displays at many of the top shows in the country and members are obviously welcome to display their machines.

While it is not compulsory for members to own a Ferguson tractor the fact is that most do. So if you have anything from a paddock ornament to a showpiece please think about joining our club. We have many Ferguson experts in the Club, all happy to give their advice.

Even after more than 20 years the original aims and ethos of the Club still remain. The Club is run by members for members and is still able to turn up new information about Harry Ferguson and his work. Long may it continue.