Manx podium finish would have been ‘fulfilment of Trevor’s dream’

Hundreds of mourners packed into Castlecaulfield Presbyterian Church, a short distance from the Ferguson family home in the village’s Main Street, on Friday to remember the life and achievements of Mr Ferguson, 48, who was killed when his bike crashed during the Supertwin race at the Manx Grand Prix.

He was an extremely popular figure in the race paddocks and also ran a fish and chip shop in The Moy.

When his body returned to Northern Ireland on Wednesday, almost 200 motorcyclists — led by Mr Ferguson’s father, Alan, his nephew Ryan Farquhar, and his son Danny — turned out to escort the hearse from Belfast Port to the funeral home.

Rev. David Brown of Castlecaulfield Presbyterian Church used the anacronism FATHER to show all Trevor’s qualities: family, athlete, thoughtful, husband, enjoyment and racer.

“FATHER which is what Aimee, and Jane and Danny are going to miss,” Rev. Brown told a huge number of mourners on Friday afternoon. “To have Trevor around, to be there with him racing and to have him in the home.

“It is so sad that they have had a father taken from them. But you have been so brave and I know you have helped your mum get through this and I ask you to continue to do that.

“Continue also to recall the good days, the funny stories, the photos that you have been enjoying over the last week and half as you remembered Trevor. This family, this district, the motorbike fraternity and this village will be the poorer for the passing of Trevor Ferguson.

“Without doubt Trevor was a family man. Born on the 30th of December 1964 he grew up here in the village with his mum and dad Alan and Isobel, his late brother Leonard and sisters Hazel and Loraine.

“Not only did he play his part as father in his own family he was also a loving and devoted son and brother, son-in-law, bother–in-law, nephew and cousin.

“Ever notice Trevor was always on his toes? He walked about the village with the dog Charlie he took the bicycle out for miles over hills and dales, he raced motorbikes for years and it never seemed to take anything out of him. It all stood by Trevor however, because after leaving school he worked in Jerry Dobson’s and then had the energy and know-how and business sense to have his own business in the chip shop in The Moy and did everyone a great favour by changing the name from United after Man United to Ferguson’s.

“He worked hard at the business which has been going now over 20 years.Trevor was not selfish. He thought of others and often put others before himself. I have heard many stories over the last number of days about Trevor’s thoughtfulness. Since Uncle Joe was left on his own, Trevor has been like a son to him, helping him out daily. I remember Ethel Simpson, who lived in one of Trevor’s houses, talking about how good Trevor was to her.

“And Trevor loved racing. It was a part of his life and a thing that the whole family, from they were no age, were involved in. How appropriate it was that all the family - Alan and all - where there watching Trevor racing No.1 on the TT course. This could have been a fulfilment of his dream to stand on the podium at The Manx, but sadly it was not to be and we pay tribute to all over there in the Isle of man who helped the family out at this difficult time; from the doctors on the course to many people who were just there for the family to help them get home too many to name by name.

“The family said people could not have helped them any more.”

Rev. Brown continued to say how he had caught the road racing “bug” when he was young. I suppose I stand here finding it difficult, because as one who follows motorbike racing, who loves the sport, who admires those who have the skills who can race around small roads at tremendous speeds, those who entertain this fraternity of road racing followers and I include myself in that, I would find it hard to say please put a stop to all of this. Yet I have insight to those who race knowing some of the riders personally and it appears to me it is something enjoyable that gets into your blood, something that gives you this big adrenaline rush and many find it so hard to walk away from it. But I am so glad Ryan has because I have buried the two other racers that were under my pastoral care and I didn’t want to go through it again with Ryan, and Karen.”