Amid the bedlam that followed Everton's penalty shoot-out victory over Manchester United in last month's FA Cup semi-final, David Moyes made a point of looking up from the Wembley pitch to offer a special salute to his chairman who was celebrating in the Royal Box.

The gesture typified the close relationship between Moyes and Bill Kenwright that has underpinned the revival of the Goodison Park club and led to an appearance against Chelsea in tomorrow's FA Cup final.

Kenwright said: "When David gave me a clenched fist, that was such an emotional moment because I know how much he wants to win. I know how much he wants Everton to succeed."

The tight bond between Kenwright and Moyes, fuelled by loyalty and trust, is the antithesis of the cold and clinical manner in which Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich tends to establish relationships with those who manage his club, but it works for both men.

As Moyes said: "You look at the owners coming into the game now, but Bill has always followed his team.

"He is the one who brought me to this club, and he's the one who has allowed me to manage in the way I want. So he should take a lot of credit for how things have gone at Everton."

Credit? Kenwright, who rose from his role as Betty Turpin's illegitimate son in Coronation Street to legitimately laying claim to being one of Britain's foremost theatrical impresarios, is more used to fielding criticism for his stewardship of a club that in recent years has lived in the shadow of city rivals Liverpool.

Kenwright admitted his five years as chairman and ownership of Everton have been tough and testing, what with the sale of Wayne Rooney, unpopular plans to move from Goodison to a new stadium in Kirkby and a paucity of funds for new players.

But his passion for the Toffees has not diminished, He said: "Stephen Sondheim best sums up my feelings about Everton. 'Loving you is not an option, it is who I am'.

"I have been in situations, I promise you, when I've thought, 'I can't go on'. And David's the one who has said to me, 'Don't leave. The players will miss you, I'll miss you. Come on, we'll do this together.'

"Listen, I worship the man. I think he is a greatest manager in the world, bar none. However, he's also my best friend in football. I'd do anything for him and I know he'd do anything for me."

The two have worked together since March 2002 when Kenwright, then deputy chairman, played a pivotal role in recruiting Moyes from Preston as replacement for Walter Smith.

Kenwright still glows at the memory of their first meeting. He said: "It was midnight when he arrived at my home and we talked for two hours. He looked at me with those eyes - and when you've not met him before, they're very frightening - and he mentioned the word 'win' 10 times in the first minute.

"As we started to talk, we laid out a plan and he's never come off that plan once. He's extraordinary. He does 24/7. He's never at home. He's always seeing games, at home and abroad, and he has this incredible insight. Evertonians owe everything to David Moyes."

Moyes was voted League Managers' Association manager of the year award this year. Kenwright said: "David deserves all the accolades and awards that he can get. The man has achieved miracles. Anything is possible for this club with this manager."