Dunfermline: Tributes paid to late former player David Moyes

Jim Leishman paid tribute to a stellar member of his Dunfermline Athletic team that won successive promotions to the top flight of Scottish football during the 1980s after his sudden passing.

David, who was 68, passed away last month following a heart attack.

Born in Haddington, he signed for the Pars in March 1985 from Meadowbank Thistle, and the combative midfielder went on to achieve iconic status amongst supporters, even though his spell at the club was short.

During his 44 first team appearances, which also saw him score two goals, David was an integral part of the side which won the Second Division title in 1986.

David Moyes helped the Pars win the Second Division title in 1986. (Image: Dunfermline Athletic FC.)

He then featured in the first four matches of the following season, in which the Pars finished as First Division runners-up, securing promotion to the Premier Division for the first time, before departing for Berwick Rangers, his first senior club, in 1987.

"I signed him on the Tuesday or the Wednesday. We played East Stirling at night, so I went into the dressing room to introduce Davie Moyes," Leishman recalled.

"I said where's Davie? Nobody knew, so I went through and he was in the kitchen. An hour and quarter before the game, he was in the kitchen, having two Scotch pies! 

"He said 'I've had no dinner, I'm starving!'

"We won 2-0. I took him off after about 60, 65 minutes. He was there two seasons and had an amazing record. In two seasons we won the Second Division championship, and then got promotion to the Premier League. Gary Thompson was the same.

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"When we won promotion to the Premier League, he came in after the game and shook my hand. He said 'Thanks very much' and he went and signed for Berwick Rangers.

"He said 'I've done my bit, I'm not good enough for the Premier League, but I enjoyed the occasion'.

"It was a really good team and he was a stalwart. I can't speak highly enough of the contribution he made at that time.

"He was a great signing. Him and Gary Thompson in midfield, Stevie Morrison, Ian McCall - brilliant."

Leishman said that David's commitment on the field played a big part in him becoming a favourite with the crowd.

He continued: "He was a real character, not just a kid-on character. There was nothing kiddy-on about Davie Moyes.

"He was a right team player. You knew he was going to give it everything. He enjoyed it.

"Every game he gave 105 per cent. That's what the supporters want.

Moyes' commitment on the pitch saw him become a favourite with the Pars fans. (Image: Dunfermline Athletic FC.)

"I've never heard any player that played with him criticise him. The coaching staff - John Jobson, me, Gregor Abel, Joe Nelson, all those boys - thought he was fantastic as well. They knew that as soon as that jersey went over his head, they were getting a performance of some sort.

"For me he was brilliant, and for everybody.

"When I heard the news I was heartbroken. He's a sad, sad miss. My thoughts are with all his family."

He went to school in Tranent and later became a brick layer. The beginning of David's football journey took in Tranent Juniors and Preston Athletic before he signed for Berwick Rangers in 1975.

He spent eight years at Shielfield, making more than 200 appearances and helping them win the Second Division in 1979 - ahead of the Pars, who were promoted as runners-up.

Meadowbank was his next footballing destination in 1983 before he made the move to East End, after which he returned to Berwick, where he retired from playing in 1988.

David married Diane and they went on to have two daughters, Nicola and Alana, and four grandchildren, Jessie, Romey, Emmey and Hendry.

In a tribute published on the club's website, Pars historian Duncan Simpson said: "Davie is fondly remembered in Dunfermline, in part because the stories of his time here have grown arms and legs.

"Whether they are all true is debatable and in any case, we can’t repeat them here! However, there is no doubt that his presence on the field inspired others at a time when Jim Leishman was looking for players with courage and commitment.

"He also inspired the club’s fans who were returning in big numbers after years in the wilderness. He was a rabble-rouser and as a player he was as hard as nails and took no prisoners. That attitude made him a very popular player with Pars fans, but probably much less with opposing fans!

"Our thoughts and condolences are with Davie’s family at this sad time."

In a statement the family described David as a "loving family man" who was “overjoyed when his grandchildren arrived” and would “spend as much time with his family as possible.”

They added: "The sudden death from a heart attack has left the family, friends and community in shock.

"He will be sorely missed and his quote would be ‘See you behind the goals’".