David Moyes paid a warm tribute to "wonderful man" Bill Kenwright following the death of his former chairman at Everton.

Everton announced on Tuesday that Kenwright had died aged 78 following a battle with cancer. 

Moyes and Kenwright formed a close bond during the Scot’s 11-year spell as manager at Goodison Park between 2002 and 2013.

He said: "It's incredibly sad news.

"He was a wonderful man, he gave me a big opportunity in my career, taking me when I was a young manager in the lower leagues and gave me a job in the Premier League. 

"Brilliantly supportive. I couldn't have had a better chairman, as a young coach. 

"When I look at modern football nowadays, how difficult it is for any young managers to make their way, Bill Kenwright was great to work with. 

"We had great times over 11 years with him and we had some successful moments together. He’ll be sadly missed."

Kenwright, who succeeded Sir Phillip Carter as chairman in 2004 after first joining the board at Goodison Park in 1989, had a cancerous tumour removed from his liver in August.

He bought a majority 68% stake in the club in 1999 and became deputy chairman before replacing Carter in his current role.

On Wednesday morning current manager Sean Dyche and club captain Seamus Coleman laid flowers at the statue of Dixie Dean outside Goodison Park, where the Everton squad were holding a training session. 

All players and staff observed a minute’s silence before the session and Kenwright's image was shown on the stadium’s screens.