Everton chairman Bill Kenwright: David Moyes is 'one of the greats'

"I can remember saying within months of David arriving that he was going to be one of the great managers; I think he is one of the great managers now," said Kenwright.

"There's no shadow of doubt about that, he's one of football's great managers.

"He is a clever, committed, talented, painstaking, straightforward, thinking man's football manager."

Kenwright added: "I can remember 10 or 12 years ago, people would, sadly, say 'Everton were one of the top six' - and we were.

"When the Premier League was first mooted all those years ago, it was always (talk of) the top six clubs and Everton were one of them. Now, we are, by right, one of the top six clubs again.

"We aren't in terms of money, we are, definitely, in terms of history, but I think we are in terms of today and tomorrow now. If I can take some share in that then fantastic - but it's not me, it's David Moyes."

Kenwright will reach a decade in control of Everton in December 2009, but has no intention of reaching the landmark as he continues his quest for substantial investment into the club.

"I am not looking to celebrate 10 years as owner," said Kenwright to evertonTV. "Would I like to be chairman next year with the kind of money in place that David needs? Yes.

"But in no way would that be any kind of obstacle to anyone coming into the club. I do think for anyone looking to invest in a football club, Everton has everything you need. When I talk to people and I do my, 'This is Everton' speech, their jaws drop to the floor.

"Our search goes on. I sort of know why it hasn't happened yet. In the main, the economic climate for the last few months means no one has got the money to invest in football. Right now that is the biggest reason.

"There were a couple of groups that I thought would be really good - one in particular - but the climate means it's not the right time."

Meanwhile, Everton are hoping they can gain a greater understanding of the requirements of their supporters when the first annual fan survey results are published early next year.

The club have already had a tremendous response to the survey that was distributed via e-mail to over 60,000 supporters, with the deadline due to pass at midnight this coming Sunday.

Head of marketing at Everton Tom Shelston said: "The online survey covers a range of topics in detail from pricing and general feeling about the club to communication and match day satisfaction.

"The survey takes 15 minutes to complete and I urge anyone who has not participated to check their inbox for the link. If you have not received an e-mail then let us know by calling 0871 663 1878 and we will send one across.

"The club will then use the survey to make informed decisions on how to best provide fans with products and services ahead of, and in time, for the 2009-10 campaign."