David Moyes has recalled his conversations with Sir Tom Finney as theEvertonmanager prepares to return to Preston North End in the Carabao Cup.
Moyes takes Everton to Deepdale on Wednesday night for a second-round tie at the club where his managerial career began.
The Scot spent five years there as a player before taking charge in January 1998. He kept Preston in the old Second Division, subsequently won promotion and took them to the First Division play-off final before Everton appointed him in March 2002.
But another of his lasting memories is the time he spent with Preston and England great Finney.
Moyes recalls Finney conversations
‘The thing about Preston North End was that Sir Tom Finney was the pillar of how I see the club,’ Moyes said.
‘He used to come in and have a cup of tea with me on a Friday before a game and talk with me in the early days. He was legendary and still is.’
Moyes would ask Finney how he dealt with defenders during a career in which he made 472 league appearances for Preston and won 76 England caps.
The answers were usually simple. Moyes recalled Finney explaining how he would go the opposite way if a defender tried to show him onto one side and ride challenges when opponents attempted to kick him.
‘He had an answer to whatever the defenders used to do against him,’ Moyes added.
Those conversations form part of Moyes’ affection for a club he has described as a “brilliant” first managerial job.
There will be little room for sentiment once the game starts, however, with Everton looking to secure their place in the third round of the Carabao Cup.
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