Player who was ‘two minutes from death’ recalls Everton manager’s key advice

Former Everton defender Shane Duffy has recalled the advice David Moyes gave to him as a youngster that has stuck with the Ireland international throughout his career

Shane Duffy has made more than 400 appearances for club and country throughout his career but insists he’ll never forget the precious piece of advice that David Moyes gave to him as a youngster at Everton.

The 32-year-old, who has been capped 60 times by the Republic of Ireland is currently plying his trade in the Championship with Norwich City. Born in Derry, he had a choice over which code to pursue having played Gaelic football for Doire Colmcille and association football for Foyle Harps in his home city but crossed the Irish Sea as a 16-year-old to join Everton.

During his time with the Blues, Duffy, who had just been named Reserve Player of the Year, had to undergo emergency surgery in May 2010 after lacerating his liver, and losing over three litres (more than five pints) of blood in what medical staff described as ‘freak accident’ when colliding with goalkeeper Adrian Walsh while on international duty. At the time, the Daily Mail reported that the then 18-year-old was two minutes away from death, and as he was wheeled into the operating theatre, Moyes and Everton chairman Bill Kenwright were contacted and warned to expect the worst with both said to be distraught as they telephoned the hospital for any news.

Duffy had been training with Ireland’s senior squad and their relieved manager Giovanni Trapattoni said: “I would like to thank our team doctor and consultant for their quick reaction to Shane’s serious injury. As time was critical, had they not acted as they did, Shane’s life could have been in more danger than it already was.”

The centre-back, who made 10 senior appearances for Everton, looks back on his time at Goodison Park with great fondness and is saddened by the club’s current plight. Duffy told Sky Bet: “That was a special time in my career, coming through under the influence of David Moyes who I still speak to.

“He was this scary figure, when you’re a younger and come through you’ve got this Scottish man who will tell you if your wrong but will also give you the right principles. Everton set me in good stand, having the right principles, respect, and a hard-working background – I have a lot to be thankful for.

“The likes of Alan Stubbs, David Weir, Kevin Sheedy – they all gave me a platform and believed in me when I was younger. Then obviously David Moyes came in and gave me my debut, and I played a little bit for the first team. It’s an amazing club and hopefully it gets back to where it belongs.”

Moyes, who returns to Goodison this Saturday with his West Ham United side, was in charge of Everton for more than 11 years between 2002-13 and Duffy insists he’ll never forget the best piece of advice he ever received from the long-serving former Blues boss. He said: “He told me to be hard-working, never get ahead of yourself.

“David Moyes pulls you and gives you the grounded rules you need to make it in this game, it’s never going to be perfect or smooth, you’re going to have down moments. That’s always stuck with me when I have had down moments, so that’s the main piece of advice that’s kept with me.”

Duffy made his senior debut on December 2, 2009 when he replaced an injured Sylvain Distin just 18 minutes into a European group game but despite forming a makeshift central defensive partnership alongside 5ft 8in Tony Hibbert, they kept a clean sheet in a 1-0 victory over the Greeks. He said: “It was a long time ago. It was in the Europa League, against AEK Athens away, and I was quite nervous as I was only 17.

“He [David Moyes] gave me a chance and I did all right in the game. I remember being nervous and I look at the younger players now when they make their debuts, and they have that feeling, but it was an amazing memory and will always stand out in my career.”