The term 'working his way through the ranks' has never been more appropriate than when used to describe the start of David Moyes' career in management.

The former defender made 143 appearances for Preston North End before becoming a coach at the club. He was soon named assistant to Gary Peters before replacing him as manager of the struggling Northenders in January 1998. A successful period under Moyes saw the side avoid relegation, win promotion to the second tier of English football in 2000, and miss out on Barclaycard Premiership promotion the following season, losing 3-0 to Bolton Wanderers in the First Division play-off final. In March 2002, after a reign in which he won nearly half of the 243 matches he presided over, Moyes left Deepdale to replace Walter Smith at Everton.

He arrived at Goodison Park with a big job to do, with the club fighting against top-flight relegation. The Toffees' won their first match under the Scot's tutelage, a 2-1 victory over Fulham, with the team already signalling a vast improvement. Fine performances followed and the club maintained their Premier League status for the 11th successive year.

The 2002/03 season was Moyes' first full term in charge, and the Toffees got off to a fantastic start, with a run of six successive wins propelling them to third in the first half of the season. In recognition of their early form, Moyes received the Barclaycard Manager of the Month Award in November. Good team performances coupled with Wayne Rooney's emergence saw the Merseyside club maintain their push for a European place, until the final day of the season, where defeat to Manchester United brought their challenge to an end. Nonetheless, the improvement on the previous season was immense, and Moyes was recognised for his accomplishment with the League Managers Association's Manager of the Year Award.

After a disappointing 2003/04 season ended with the club in 17th place in the league, Moyes' men impressed the following year. They secured fourth spot and with it the chance to qualify for Champions League football for the first time in the club's history. Despite Rooney's departure to Manchester United, Moyes' side exceeded all expectations with the Toffees manager awarded his second LMA Manager of the Year Award.

The start of the 2005/06 term came as a reality check. Failure to qualify for the group stages of the Champions League and getting knocked out of the UEFA Cup was disappointing for a side that had shown so much promise. Having brought in an array of new faces who took time to settle, Everton's league form failed to match up to the previous season's, with the side finishing 11th in the league.

The next season Moyes' side flourished, securing a sixth place finish in the Barclays Premiership and the return of European football to Goodison Park the following season. And in 2007/08, the 45-year-old used Everton's UEFA Cup place to prove he possessed the tactical expertise to succeed on the European stage, with his side reaching the last 16 of the tournament. Consistency was the order of the day, and in the Barclays Premier League Everton achieved a club record points total of 65, a fifth place finish and a second successive season in Europe.

After much media interest and speculation, Moyes signed a new five-year contract in October 2008, re-affirming his commitment to the club following an early exit from both the UEFA and Carling Cup competitions.

2004: Manages 100th Premier League match (Newcastle United 1-1 Everton, 28th November)
2005: Wins 50th Premier League match (Birmingham 0-1 Everton, 29th October)
2007: Takes charge of 200th Premier League match (Everton 2-1 Wigan Athletic, 11th August) 
2008: Takes charge of 250th Premier League match (Everton 1-1 Middlesbrough, 16th November)