Ah, fellow Evertonians, gather round as we reminisce about the times when David Moyes helmed our beloved Toffees and introduced nothing short of a football marvel to the world—a young Wayne Rooney. As Moyes recently recounted, during his first stint with Everton, he spotted talent that was last glimpsed in the echoes of old-school street football with Rooney. This lad was only 16 when he charged onto the field at Goodison Park, boasting a fervour and skill that were simply bewitching.

Moyes, speaking earnestly on The Wayne Rooney Show, described Rooney as "the last of the street footballers," a term evoking images of raw, undiscovered talent playing with sheer passion in the concrete jungles of football's heartlands. Imagine this, Rooney wasn’t just any player; as Moyes puts it, he was "a cheeky Scouser," overflowing with an almost implausible talent at such a tender age. Even amid scepticism from the media concerning his readiness, Moyes dared to make a bold move that would leave an indelible mark on our club’s history.

It might have been a bit of a juggle in the early days, what with legends like Big Duncan Ferguson and other seasoned pros like Kevin Campbell and Tomasz Radzinski already commanding the front lines. Moyes admitted having to play Rooney off the left initially. Despite these constraints, Rooney’s nascent brilliance was undeniable, a beacon that would lead him to become one of football’s greatest.

Turning the pages back to 2002 when Moyes took up the mantle at Goodison Park, he recounts the feeling of rightness in his decision, bolstered by advice from none other than Sir Alex Ferguson himself. The opportunity, the timing—it all aligned for Moyes at Everton, reinforcing the notion that some things are just meant to be.

As we Evertonians eagerly anticipate the next season, believing with all our might in Premiership glory and a triumphant march to the FA Cup final, we continue to draw inspiration from legends past and present, embodied by Moyes’ belief and Rooney’s meteoric rise.

And oh, before I sign off, here’s a little jest for our dear neighbours: How many Liverpool fans does it take to change a light bulb? Just one—unfortunately, they’ll be too busy reminiscing about the past to actually fit the new one! Keep the blue flag flying high!