It was a first professional manager’s job for the 34 year-old and he had taken over a team that had lost their seven previous Division Three matches.
Ferguson’s first game was at title-chasing Lincoln City and the hosts won it 1-0 thanks to a Mark Stallard goal 15 minutes from time. Ferguson suffered two defeats and a draw before winning his fourth game in charge, 3-0 at home to his former club Wrexham.
Ferguson takes charge of Posh for the 500th time in a Championship fixture against Huddersfield at the Weston Homes Stadium tomorrow (November 2).
Here is the first team Darren Ferguson ever picked as Posh manager almost 15 years ago with details about what happened to the 14 players involved.
5. BEN FUTCHER
The (very) lanky centre-back played 30 times for Posh, but Ferguson released him five months after being appointed Posh manager. He went on to play for Bury, Oxford, Mansfield, Telford and Macclesfield before he retired in July, 2013. He worked as assistant manager at Swindon and Mansfield, but now runs a football youth development scheme.
6. JOSH LOW
Low arrived at Posh from Leicester for decent money in 2006, but he flattered to deceive. Managed just 41 appearances in two years at the club, scoring three goals. Went on to play for Cheltenham. Forest Green and Bath City. Low quit football in 2014 to concentrate on his work as a lawyer.
7. MICAH HYDE
Posh paid £75k for this experienced midfielder two weeks before Ferguson arrived. He went on to be a key man in the promotion success the following season. Hyde played 71 times for Posh without scoring before leaving in February, 2009 to join Woking and then Barnet. Currently working as an Academy coach at QPR.
8. PETER GAIN
Ferguson let gifted midfielder Gain join Dagenham & Redbridge in January, 2008 after 80 Posh appearances and nine goals. Gain made close to 200 appearances for the Daaggers before retiring in 2012.