Eyres has been talking all things PNE in an exclusive chat with the Lancashire Post.
Former Preston North End winger and fan favourite David Eyres has spoken of his adoration for his old boss David Moyes and the PNE faithful.
David Moyes lifting the Division Two trophy with Preston North End in 2000.placeholder image
David Moyes lifting the Division Two trophy with Preston North End in 2000. | Paul Broadrick/Getty Images
Eyres played at Deepdale between 1997 and 2000 and was part of the Second Division title-winning side in his final year at the club. Gary Peters was in charge during Eyres’ first few months at PNE, before Moyes was promoted to the manager role following Peters’ resignation. Eyres says it was beneficial to play under someone who had been with them in the dressing room.
“David at the time, being a player-assistant manager, he was part of the group, he was part of the band set”, said Eyres, “and he did have a funny bone in him, and he was a good teammate at the time, but we knew he was more than capable of going on and being a manager.
“In his first meetings, he just spoke to all the boys in the dressing room, at the training ground, about what his plans were. You knew this guy was going to be fully focused and give everything.
“His knowledge from an early point in his managerial career and his coaching efforts were just unbelievable. He started to bring in ideas that other clubs probably only started doing maybe another couple of years after him. He was very keen, very hands-on, doing it his way.
“He even took the warm-ups before games, When I played there, he used to be on the pitch and he'd have us in a full line and he'd warm us up himself. That's what he was, he was very hands-on. I couldn't speak more highly of him in terms of a coach and his quality to manage a football team.”
He added: “I probably adore him more now because he's an Everton manager than what he was when he was the Preston manager! I’ve got nothing but respect for him.”
Eyres also made clear his love for the North End fan base, who he said have made him feel adored even since his departure at the turn of the century.
“The four league clubs I've played for (Blackpool, Burnley, PNE, Oldham), I’ve all absolutely loved. People always ask ‘what was your favourite time?’ and who's your favourite club?’ Deep down, you know, I'm an honest person. I don't have a favourite club.
“I loved it when I signed for any football club, it was my job and I loved it whatever match it was, I'd run as much as possible and try and do the best in terms of my ability on the pitch.
“When I arrived at Preston, I obviously knew the rivalry between both Blackpool and Burnley. When I was at Burnley, playing against Preston, there were thousands behind the goal that day from Preston, so I knew the fan base were as good as any other. When I joined, the fans were just on a different level.
“I go back there now and I get treated like royalty! My name's David Eyres, not Lionel Messi, but that's how they look at me and treat me, it's just a special relationship. It's something I've had with all the clubs I've had. I go back to Blackpool now and they absolutely battered me when I played against them, but when I go back to Blackpool and watch games there, the fans are very respectful and nice to me.
“Playing for Preston, the support I got personally was something that I try and go back to, but I don't think they had videos that long ago! The fans were brilliant, which made it easy when I first signed for the club as well and then with the success that followed. You become a member of the club really.
“They had a vote just as I'd left. Michael Jackson phoned me up and said ‘you're not going to believe it, you're being voted in the all-time XI team’ and I thought he was winding me up. To be voted in a group of players, I was nowhere near the level, but to be in that group of 11 was very special to me and probably one of the highlights of my career, to be honest.”
There will be more from Eyresy next week, including his ‘devastating’ departure from PNE and his hopes for his former club, next season and beyond.
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